Gay friendly suburbs of Chicago... (Evanston, Oak Park: city hall, living, zip codes)

[Tex?Il?]

Originally Posted by BRU67

I would say generally that Republican-leaning and more homogonous DuPage, Kane and DeKalb County communities would be the least gay friendly and the more diverse inner ring suburbs in Cook County and, of course, Chicago neighborhoods the most. It's not that the former communities would be "unfriendly" per se, but I don't think a gay person or couple will find too many people who have lot in common with them in those areas.

I would add NW Cook County to the "Republican/homogenous" category that DuPage is described as (whether justified of not). Downers Grove is just like Arlington Hts. The more sprawling newer part of Naperville is like Hoffman Estates/Barrington, while downtown Naperville is a larger, more vibrant version of downtown Palatine.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by Tex?Il?

I would add NW Cook County to the "Republican/homogenous" category that DuPage is described as (whether justified of not). Downers Grove is just like Arlington Hts. The more sprawling newer part of Naperville is like Hoffman Estates/Barrington, while downtown Naperville is a larger, more vibrant version of downtown Palatine.

Hmmmm... We need a name for this zone. The "Conformity Quarter"? The "Drone Zone"? The "Boredom Belt"?

[Chicagoland60426]

Honestly, you can find GLB people everywhere in the Chicago area, including the south suburbs. As far as gay friendly/acceptance goes, I'm not too sure about that. You will have people saying remarks behind their back, but I don't see people literally attacking them. Believe me, their are openly GLB people in the south/southwest suburbs, including in the high schools.

[Anthera]

The North Shore is more "gay tolerant" than "gay friendly".

[HowDeDo]

Originally Posted by healinghands

What are the most gay friendly suburbs and the least?

Every suburb of Chicago is Gay-friendly, so long as you keep sexual/physical intimacy behind closed doors where it really should be, and , not go into Grade Schools/Jr. High Schools promoting a certain lifestyle that is unorthodox . I would welcome anybody who could manage this simple request.

[Avengerfire]

I would not agree with Park Ridge. While people there are not going to run you out of town they certainly do not appreciate blatant public displays of sexual orientation (as many other burbs do not as well.) I guess it depends how much you flaunt it or if you flaunt it at all.

I do think places live Wilmette and Highland Park would be far preferable than most burbs (but not all) for gays to live without too much if any harassment.

If you can afford to live there of course...

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by noid_1985

Oak Park & Evanston

and Forest Park.

[Avengerfire]

List of gay bars in and near to Oak Park:

Nutbush
Velvet Rope
Hideaway
Tempations

Here is a good resource for the OP and others for finding gay bars:

www.clubfly.com

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by Anthera

The North Shore is more "gay tolerant" than "gay friendly".

I strongly agree. I think there are many burbs (some more than others) that are gay tolerant, but there are few that are gay friendly.

[Lookout Kid]

And there are "gay hostile" suburbs too, like uber-conservative Wheaton or uber-working class Cicero.