Gay friendly suburbs of Chicago... (Naperville, Evanston: home, neighborhoods, college)

[healinghands]

What are the most gay friendly suburbs and the least?

[crbcrbrgv]

Originally Posted by healinghands

What are the most gay friendly suburbs and the least?

I'd say Oak Park is the most gay friendly. I'm not sure if John Mahoney of "Frasier" fame still lives there, but he did for many years. Any other suburb, I'd look at the ethnic makeup. Chicago is still a very segregated city, and the suburbs are no exception. My guess would be the more ethinically mixed a suburb, the more gay friendly it would be.

[Sarahfeena]

I second Oak Park for being gay-friendly. Not sure which ones would be the opposite.

[becoming trees]

Naperville never struck me as gay friendly.
I worked there and never encountered any homosexuals. Almost all of my friends from outside of work were gay/lesbian, but they're not from Naperville!
I've heard dehumanizing towards used towards people who apparently actually were gay/lesbian, and I've heard the whole "why would someone be gay?!" think far too often.
=[

I agree with Oak Park and add Evanston.

Check out outinthesuburbs.com (I think thats the url)

[crbcrbrgv]

Originally Posted by becoming trees

Naperville never struck me as gay friendly.
I worked there and never encountered any homosexuals. Almost all of my friends from outside of work were gay/lesbian, but they're not from Naperville!
I've heard dehumanizing towards used towards people who apparently actually were gay/lesbian, and I've heard the whole "why would someone be gay?!" think far too often.
=[

I agree with Oak Park and add Evanston.

Check out outinthesuburbs.com (I think thats the url)

Naperville isn't friendly towards those who are different in general. I lived there for many years. It is a conformist's town.

[JanuaryGirl]

I would say Wheaton wins hands-down for the least gay friendly. As the county seat of a republican strong-hold, and the home of Wheaton College/Billy Graham Center, and the home of more churches than you can imagine, it is very conservative. Now, the people there can be nice to those who are different, but often it's just because they want to convince you to go to their church.

[noid_1985]

Oak Park & Evanston

[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.

[Lookout Kid]

"Diversity" does not necessarily equal "gay-friendly". The black and Hispanic communities in Chicago don't exactly have a record of being tolerant of homosexuality. I think you're better off going for a suburb that is known for educated liberal people, and Evanston and Oak Park fit that bill, as do Park Ridge and perhaps a few parts of the North Shore. Any others? Chet?

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

"Diversity" does not necessarily equal "gay-friendly". The black and Hispanic communities in Chicago don't exactly have a record of being tolerant of homosexuality. I think you're better off going for a suburb that is known for educated liberal people, and Evanston and Oak Park fit that bill, as do Park Ridge and perhaps a few parts of the North Shore. Any others? Chet?

Most black and Hispanic communities in Chicago are not diverse. Diversity is when there are different races and/or different income levels. 95% African American is not diverse, though that will come as a news flash for some. And I don't think a suburb has to be full of educated liberal people to be gay friendly. I know a few gay couples who live in Oak Lawn, for one example, and they are fine. Probably not a place you'd think of but 'tis true.