Interracial gay couple considering moving to Florence, CO (Colorado Springs, Fort Collins: renting, quality of life)

[GeAm91119]

My partner is considering taking a job in Florence, and we plan on spending a weekend getting to know the area as best we can, but we definitely have the impression that it's more conservative than would be ideal for us. While I understand that we probably won't be totally embraced by the community, it is important for us to get a good idea of whether there's a possibility of hostility in response to our putting roots down in the area. We're both enamored at the idea of a rural lifestyle and would like to start a small ranch, so the relative remoteness of the area is actually appealing - our only concern is really the people. My partner is of Indian Guyanese descent, so he can be mistaken for Middle Eastern, which has actually gotten him more rude looks than he can count even in Fort Collins - that sort of thing is tolerable, though far from ideal. Ultimately, we just don't want to feel unsafe, or have to encounter or fear verbal or physical attacks.

[brown_dog_us]

Do you live in Fort Collins now?

[davebarnes]

Florence - population of 3800.
Florence - largest employer is Supermax
These 2 facets scream that "it's more conservative than would be ideal".

[Sunderpig2]

As a white person with Midwestern roots (though from a different region of the country) I've already experienced my share of discrimination and prejudice in CO (from other whites!) I can't imagine being of a different race / ethnic background, plus the gender stuff thrown. In the most basic of terms, CO is not as open-minded as many want to suggest/think/fantasize.

If I was the OP, I'd be looking for a very diverse area in a state that's multicultural. You're only here on earth once; you might as well be in a race/culture-friendly area. Also, the smaller the town/city, the more likely it will be of one way of thinking, and the more pronounced the "outsider" vibe will be. Therefore, a larger town will be in your favor.

[JrzDefector]

I would consider something closer to Salida, where there is a fairly gay-friendly culture. A gay man I know there has experienced some unpleasantness in the form of verbal harassment, but he also has a supportive community and a thriving business.

[GeAm91119]

Originally Posted by brown_dog_us

Do you live in Fort Collins now?

Yes

[GeAm91119]

Originally Posted by Sunderpig2

As a white person with Midwestern roots (though from a different region of the country) I've already experienced my share of discrimination and prejudice in CO (from other whites!) I can't imagine being of a different race / ethnic background, plus the gender stuff thrown. In the most basic of terms, CO is not as open-minded as many want to suggest/think/fantasize.

If I was the OP, I'd be looking for a very diverse area in a state that's multicultural. You're only here on earth once; you might as well be in a race/culture-friendly area. Also, the smaller the town/city, the more likely it will be of one way of thinking, and the more pronounced the "outsider" vibe will be. Therefore, a larger town will be in your favor.

Thanks for the input - I see what you're saying, but from my experience I feel that life is too short to let fear keep me in a place I hate - urban areas. And I actually lived in New York City for 5 years and experienced quite a bit of homophobia, and my partner experienced that plus some subtle racism. So from our experiences, more population doesn't equal a more accepting environment. Not to mention the poor quality of life in urban areas.

[GeAm91119]

Originally Posted by JrzDefector

I would consider something closer to Salida, where there is a fairly gay-friendly culture. A gay man I know there has experienced some unpleasantness in the form of verbal harassment, but he also has a supportive community and a thriving business.

Thanks! We've heard a lot of good about Salida! Unfortunately, the job is in Florence We actually visited and got a great impression. We walked around town, went to restaurants, groceries, and other businesses and didn't get so much as a weird look. We even met a lesbian! So we're making the move in July. From the sound of it, though, I need to ask him to keep his eye out for something in Salida!

[otowi]

You might consider renting in a bigger town like Colorado Springs and Pueblo and commuting initially while you figure out Florence.

[jamies]

Nobody has ever bothered me in Colorado. But then I carry a gun.