How does Forest Park relate to gay and lesbian couples? (Cincinnati: middle-class, 2009)

[Melissa1047]

My girlfriend and I, 23 and 24 yrs old are thinking of buying a house. We've looked a lot around Forest Park and have seen some really cute houses, neighborhoods, etc. We know there is a lot of diversity there, which we love, but is it just racial diversity?

Any opinions, suggestions, inputs etc would be appreciated.

[wilson1010]

Look, the higher the proportion of blacks in a neighborhood, the less gay tolerant it will be. Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings. Don't shoot the messenger. There is practically no other segment of the population that would ever articulate anti-gay/lesbian opinions. Having said that, there is probably some concealed, unspoken anti-gay bigotry in really suburban bedroom communities where anything other than a traditional family with children is feared. But, truth is that blacks are the only group that articulates anti-gay rhetoric.

[Cincy-Rise]

Clifton! Northside!

[goyguy]

There are probably blogs you could take that question to, perhaps on City Beat?
Cincinnati in general isn't the most GLBT-friendly area to begin with. It was considered a giant step forward when a statute blocking civil equality laws from being enacted was repealed (by popular vote - after popular vote had established it.) Hamilton County went the way of the state in the referendum which restricted marriage rights. "Visibility" there is a lot less than in the coastal cities and college towns of America.
But although much inflammatory rhetoric is spewed by AA politicians and clergy (Nation of Islam "ministers" are among the worst haters of all) they don't have the homophobia market cornered. Been to, or watched, a megachurch service lately? Nearly all the demagogic organizations which hide behind warm fuzzy terms like "traditional values" and "family protection" are led by, and comprised mostly, of White people. Intolerance remains widespread across the racial spectrum; what increases the degree of acceptance (or at least more carefully concealed lack thereof) is a community's mean educational and economic level.
It's also been my experience that a town or neighborhood which has a well-established multicultural composition extends its open-minded character to include GLBT persons. So it'd seem that this would be the case with Forest Park, as opposed to enclaves such as Mt Airy or the East End which are undergoing demographic transition. The example of North Avondale bolsters this theory. Same-sex-inclined couples and individuals dwell quietly among the middle-class to well-to-do residents in a community that's retained nearly identical proportions of Black and non-Black households for half a century. Mt Adams and the Prospect Hill nook of Mt Auburn are also pretty well "integrated," and the more middle-class Pleasant Ridge is beginning to be.
Most importantly, much of the homophobic hysteria being peddled targets gay men - already a lot more loudly feared and derided than are lesbians. I think the majority of folks can name an "old maid" or "pair of spinster ladies" who live or lived near them, no matter where they grew up or where they reside now. Women have always been more inclined to settle in suburban areas or at least outside the "gayborhoods." Major problems rarely occur, but the main predictor of successful relocation is what the superficially accepting would call "not looking it." Assimilation is far from virtuous in my book; however, the less stereotypical one looks and acts the better one is woven into the community fabric. So, good luck - and test the waters of FP some more before ruling it out.

[wilson1010]

Originally Posted by goyguy

Been to, or watched, a megachurch service lately?

Nearly every gay acquaintance I have, along with the non-traditional families I know, recovering addicts, and alcoholics all go to "mega church" mostly Crossroads. If you stand for the position that Crossroads spews intolerance, you'll be laughed at . . . but still loved.

[wilson1010]

Originally Posted by wilson1010

Nearly every gay acquaintance I have, along with the non-traditional families I know, recovering addicts, and alcoholics all go to "mega church" mostly Crossroads. If you stand for the position that Crossroads spews intolerance, you'll be laughed at . . . but still loved.

I am reminded that some of the older gay people I know, go to Unity. Still, claiming that the "mega church" which in Cincinnati means Crossroads or Vineyard, is intolerant, is just wrong.

[restorationconsultant]

I agree with Cincy-rise that Clifton-Northside is probably more tolerant, if that is an issue with you.You can probably find a house in either of those areas for about the same money.

It's funny but I haven't considered "what the neighbors will think" in maybe 15-20 years when we buy houses, and we have owned several. When we bought in our neighborhood in Cincinnati it was only AFTER we bought that I learned mabye 20-25 percent of the homes on my block were gay owned. We have since met everyone on our block. Straight,gay, white/black, young and old and everyone seems fine and I dont think it was a 'big' issue. They were all just happy that we bought an eyesore and were fixing it up and putting a ton of money in the neighborhood.

I think of critical importance is that you have good neighbors on either side of you, regardless of where you choose to live. Owning a home is a real quality of life issue and a loud neighbor Gay or Straight can be a real problem. Check out the neighborhood on a weekend or after 6 PM, you wil get a better idea of what the area is like.

[Melissa1047]

Thanks for the replies so far everyone! Keep them coming!

[ferretrick]

"If you stand for the position that Crossroads spews intolerance, you'll be laughed at"

Really? So back in 2004 you all didn't tell an openly gay man in a committed relationship that he couldn't work with youth because of it? Crossroads may not be Jerry Falwell, but it ain't "tolerant" either.

[wilson1010]

Originally Posted by ferretrick

"If you stand for the position that Crossroads spews intolerance, you'll be laughed at"

Really? So back in 2004 you all didn't tell an openly gay man in a committed relationship that he couldn't work with youth because of it? Crossroads may not be Jerry Falwell, but it ain't "tolerant" either.

When you say "you all" I suppose you think that means that I am a Christian and that I have some connection with Crossroads. Wrong bitter, intolerant person.

And, that little story the bitter Meyers woman tells sure gets around too, then doesn't it.

Here's the rest of the story:

In a 2005 survey, 5.5 percent of Crossroads members said they had been in a homosexual relationship; Crossroads staff insist they make every effort to welcome gay and lesbian participants and get them involved in the church’s ministries. Given that homosexuality is a fault line that splits American Christianity, the church seems uniquely determined to avoid alienating either side. For instance, some members prayed in a confessional tent at last year’s Gay Pride Parade—not asking homosexuals to repent, but asking forgiveness for the sins Christians have committed against the gay and lesbian community. Last year the memorial service for musician Katie Reider, who had two children with her partner, Karen Boone, was held at Crossroads. Cincinnati Magazine Jan 2009