Is Austin Tx gay friendly? (Round Rock: appointed, buying a house, buying)

[TexasHorseLady]

My point, artsyguy, was that rather than blaming everything on people not liking your sexual preference, it's sometimes more effective to look at how you interact with people. If you can't look at that yourself, ask your friends to be brutally honest.

Not all gays or minorities, by the way, blame all of life problems on being gay or a minority. They actually consider themselves (rightfully, in my opinion) to be people just like everyone else, with the same virtues and vices that everyone else has and the same ability to make people like or dislike them based on actions that have nothing to do with that one facet of their being.

For the most part, it's those that don't want to be honest with themselves or don't want to own up to having the same vices and virtues as everyone else that read everything they don't like as being due to their status as gay or minority (or female, for that matter - there's plenty of women who find it easier to blame their lack of ability to get ahead on their sex rather than on the real causes, one of which is the tendency to not take responsibility but to blame everything on their sex - and the same applies to gays and minorities).

[readymade]

I've decided that everyone hates me because I'm pretty.

[ltd8007]

I'm not gay but it seems pretty tolerant here of all kinds of individual differeences. They have spash day at Hippie Hollow which is supposed to be a big event for gays.

[BouldinG]

So sick of this argument. Just because you haven't found a bf or gf doesn't makes Austin some terrible place for gay people. That mode of thinking disrespects the virtues this town is built on. I've lived here 10 years (through college and now in the workforce) and have loved every flaming gay minute of it. Gay ghettos are not the solution to your problems.

I met my bf by coincidence at a coffeehouse. I coincidentally ended up working with gay people in my career and last job. Friends I have that happen to be gay, I've met through acquaintances and common interests. It's all been very organic and unforced. As cliche as it sounds, in Austin, we're everywhere. And I've never ever felt threatened from being myself.

I would say the major complaint I hear from the those new to Austin is how "unlike other cities it is." How crazy is that? And usually, their frustrations stem from trivial things like "club scenes" and "gay pride". Regardless of the fact that we have plenty of both here, I think the simple fact is these people are still looking for acceptance for themselves through reinforcing cultural stereotypes.

Pilotskid hit the nail on the head when he mentioned the networked nature of Austin. Here, people follow their dreams, interests and hobbies first. All the awesome Austin gay community stuff comes as a result of that. It's why we're as creative as we are, as liberal as we are, and as laid-back as we are.

I've said it before and I'll say it again (from an identical thread):

"If you've been conditioned to feel comfortable in a gay neighborhood, that's something you have to take up with however you were brought up and wherever you've come from. Try to see the benefit of not needing a gay neighborhood, not insulating yourself from the rest of society, and instead becoming a part of the melting pot.

Here, everyone eats at the same table. And we all watch out for each other. Gay/straight, dem/rep, muslim/catholic, whatever. We like people who don't look like us."

And on a slight tangent, where else in America would a city's council members break down in tears ON TV over the death of an opinionated, civic minded, transgendered homeless woman? Where else would she make compassionate front page news in local papers and TV stations?

Well, I can tell you where it wouldn't happen: Dallas. The city that kicked her to the curb because they thought she was a "freak", because they couldn't deal with who she was. And no amount of Dallas gay ghetto can make up for it.

Jennifer Gale was a perfect example of how Austin is the most well-adjusted, welcoming city for well-adjusted (read: happy with themselves) welcoming people. This place allows you to reach your full potential in the simple act of letting people be themselves.

Disclaimer—all bets are off outside of the city limits (except Blanco). This is Texas after all...

[twange]

Originally Posted by BouldinG

So sick of this argument. Just because you haven't found a bf or gf doesn't makes Austin some terrible place for gay people. That mode of thinking disrespects the virtues this town is built on. I've lived here 10 years (through college and now in the workforce) and have loved every flaming gay minute of it. Gay ghettos are not the solution to your problems.

I met my bf by coincidence at a coffeehouse. I coincidentally ended up working with gay people in my career and last job. Friends I have that happen to be gay, I've met through acquaintances and common interests. It's all been very organic and unforced. As cliche as it sounds, in Austin, we're everywhere. And I've never ever felt threatened from being myself.

I would say the major complaint I hear from the those new to Austin is how "unlike other cities it is." How crazy is that? And usually, their frustrations stem from trivial things like "club scenes" and "gay pride". Regardless of the fact that we have plenty of both here, I think the simple fact is these people are still looking for acceptance for themselves through reinforcing cultural stereotypes.

Pilotskid hit the nail on the head when he mentioned the networked nature of Austin. Here, people follow their dreams, interests and hobbies first. All the awesome Austin gay community stuff comes as a result of that. It's why we're as creative as we are, as liberal as we are, and as laid-back as we are.

I've said it before and I'll say it again (from an identical thread):

"If you've been conditioned to feel comfortable in a gay neighborhood, that's something you have to take up with however you were brought up and wherever you've come from. Try to see the benefit of not needing a gay neighborhood, not insulating yourself from the rest of society, and instead becoming a part of the melting pot.

Here, everyone eats at the same table. And we all watch out for each other. Gay/straight, dem/rep, muslim/catholic, whatever. We like people who don't look like us."

And on a slight tangent, where else in America would a city's council members break down in tears ON TV over the death of an opinionated, civic minded, transgendered homeless woman? Where else would she make compassionate front page news in local papers and TV stations?

Well, I can tell you where it wouldn't happen: Dallas. The city that kicked her to the curb because they thought she was a "freak", because they couldn't deal with who she was. And no amount of Dallas gay ghetto can make up for it.

Jennifer Gale was a perfect example of how Austin is the most well-adjusted, welcoming city for well-adjusted (read: happy with themselves) welcoming people. This place allows you to reach your full potential in the simple act of letting people be themselves.

Disclaimer—all bets are off outside of the city limits (except Blanco). This is Texas after all...

Bravo! Well said

[cmiller1014]

Makes no sense to hate anyone. I am moving to TX to escape the racism and bigotry. I'm not even a minority, in fact, I am a white dude who grew up in St. Louis! I am just sick of the haters.... we've got more important things to worry about.

[siarlbychan]

I don't know if this would be a different post but along the lines of an Austin gayborhood, how about just a good neighborhood in regards to low crime versus a higher crime area in Austin when considering a house search?

Thanks all.

[lake travis]

I am completely comfortable living in an integrated gay/straight neighborhood in Austin. My straight neighbors in Chicago, Charleston SC and here have always been kind and accepting and they certainly were and are aware of my sexual preference as my partner and I have been together for 27 years. I do not consider it a matter of luck, but the atmosphere that Austin fosters. I would like to think that I am judged on more than my sexual preference and that others see that we are no different than they are. To isolate ourselves, denies those that hate us the chance to see and come to know who we are and not who they may think we are. I prefer a world of diversity. I would suggest that to surround ourselves with only those that are like us does not help in the cause of equality. Visibility is paramount to change. Hopefully, living among all kinds of people makes all of us more tolerant. I will, however, admit to finding it difficult to meet other gays for more than a casual "Hi."

[airboat5]

I would say yes. most of my friends are gay and they love austin.

[artsyguy]

Well if you like to hang out in a gay community where gays celebrate their gayness then no Austin is not for you.

If you want to just blend in with straight people and have no individuality, gay culture, or community then yes Austin will be awesome for you!!!

Originally Posted by airboat5

I would say yes. most of my friends are gay and they love austin.