Gay Community in Corpus Christi Area (Dallas, San Antonio: renting, home, find a job)

[Patrick B.]

I have been living in Corpus for about 2 months now and see no visible sign of gay life in Corpus. My new job is located here in Corpus.
I am NOT into bars or mainstream gay life and this makes it harder to locate other gay people who lead relatively "normal" lives.
I am aware that the "culture" of Corpus tends toward the closeted choice and this resembles the life in the valley.
Anyone out there interested in anything other than the bar life?

[CalallenMom]

Originally Posted by Patrick B.

I have been living in Corpus for about 2 months now and see no visible sign of gay life in Corpus. My new job is located here in Corpus.
I am NOT into bars or mainstream gay life and this makes it harder to locate other gay people who lead relatively "normal" lives.
I am aware that the "culture" of Corpus tends toward the closeted choice and this resembles the life in the valley.
Anyone out there interested in anything other than the bar life?

This is very unfortunate. The only thing that I can recommend is that you might want to check out San Antonio to visit their "gay strip" an hour and a half away. I know you said you're not interested in bars/clubs, but if I'm not mistaken they also have cafe's and other businesses. Good luck!

[wehotex]

Originally Posted by Patrick B.

I have been living in Corpus for about 2 months now and see no visible sign of gay life in Corpus. My new job is located here in Corpus.
I am NOT into bars or mainstream gay life and this makes it harder to locate other gay people who lead relatively "normal" lives.
I am aware that the "culture" of Corpus tends toward the closeted choice and this resembles the life in the valley.
Anyone out there interested in anything other than the bar life?

How did you decide to live in corpus anyway? did you come from a city with a thriving gay community? I don't even find san antonio to be an attractive gay city. the public over there thinks that it's perfectly OK to call us "q***rs", "fags", etc. one bright spot is the election of julian castro, our new mayor who has really reached out to our community. so texas in general is a very nasty place for gays. I was born and raised in CC, but left when I was 22, never even considering going back to a surefire slice of hell.

[Marlow]

I'm not sure what to tell you. We're straight, but have several gay friends. That I know of, they don't hang out in bars either. We just know them from the neighborhood and community. If you want to DM me, maybe I can find out some more information from them that would be helpful.

Wehotex, if you'd stuck around, things might have gotten better for you. I'm just thinking about a friend of ours who is openly gay and has a great Christmas party every year. It's full of gay and straight professional people--teachers, doctors, lawyers, clergy people, architects, etc. I've never heard a single person say anything other than they were looking forward to it because he's such a wonderful host and has such fun parties. People do grow up and become more mature and tolerant--even in CC.

[Patrick B.]

Originally Posted by wehotex

How did you decide to live in corpus anyway? did you come from a city with a thriving gay community? I don't even find san antonio to be an attractive gay city. the public over there thinks that it's perfectly OK to call us "q***rs", "fags", etc. one bright spot is the election of julian castro, our new mayor who has really reached out to our community. so texas in general is a very nasty place for gays. I was born and raised in CC, but left when I was 22, never even considering going back to a surefire slice of hell.

Hello "wehotex"!
I have lived in Texas for over 23 years. I have lived in Houston and Dallas who both have thriving gay communities with a broader interest in the gay community beyond the bar scene. I am currently employed in a new job here in Corpus. I lived in "the valley" prior to my arrival here. And the hook-up scene there is a thriving past-time as all gay men in the valley are closeted and/or living with their parents. Corpus strikes me as this same type of town. Maybe you can show me that this doesn't exist in Corpus. This would be very refreshing to me!
I was in need of employment in my chosen profession and that job is in Corpus.

[joelaldo]

Originally Posted by Patrick B.

Hello "wehotex"!
I have lived in Texas for over 23 years. I have lived in Houston and Dallas who both have thriving gay communities with a broader interest in the gay community beyond the bar scene. I am currently employed in a new job here in Corpus. I lived in "the valley" prior to my arrival here. And the hook-up scene there is a thriving past-time as all gay men in the valley are closeted and/or living with their parents. Corpus strikes me as this same type of town. Maybe you can show me that this doesn't exist in Corpus. This would be very refreshing to me!
I was in need of employment in my chosen profession and that job is in Corpus.

That's an unfair sweeping generalization.... but nothing that's uncommon on city-data. You can't compare huge metropolitan areas like Houston or Dallas with Corpus, the Valley and San Antonio. It's a community with less education, less professionals... and less money... so it's not going to have a Soho or Weho type of feel. That doesn't mean that people are intolerant or hateful. There are a huge number of gay men that are open, living on their own or with their partner, and are professional.

My partner is from Corpus Christi, and he lived in a trailer park most of his life. His parents know, and all his drinkin buddies know... and no one says anything or bothers us when we go down there. There's a lot of gay men I know out there who also feel the same way.

In many towns, it's not so much what there is, but who you know.

[Patrick B.]

Originally Posted by joelaldo

That's an unfair sweeping generalization.... but nothing that's uncommon on city-data. You can't compare huge metropolitan areas like Houston or Dallas with Corpus, the Valley and San Antonio. It's a community with less education, less professionals... and less money... so it's not going to have a Soho or Weho type of feel. That doesn't mean that people are intolerant or hateful. There are a huge number of gay men that are open, living on their own or with their partner, and are professional.

My partner is from Corpus Christi, and he lived in a trailer park most of his life. His parents know, and all his drinkin buddies know... and no one says anything or bothers us when we go down there. There's a lot of gay men I know out there who also feel the same way.

In many towns, it's not so much what there is, but who you know.

Yes, I am aware of the population of Corpus and know that it is a small town (300,000)when comparing it to larger metropolitan areas. So on a smaller scale, there should still be some semblance of a gay community. This does not mean just bars, for the younger gay men in the area. Glad you found someone even if he came from humble beginnings. The gay climate of Corpus is one of a don't ask, don't tell situation as most gay men here still live at home. And this includes men in their 40's. Therefore, it is predominantly a closeted community to say the least. And in 2009, there ideally should be a more open-minded community. I don't see that here. Sorry.

[tgannaway89]

SA is gay friendly. Some areas of the city may be less inviting, but most of the city is very accepting of the GLBT lifestyle.

[jbtx]

I don't see Corpus as a particularly gay friendly city. It is a largely Catholic community with strong ties to a basically anti-gay religion. Yes, there is some homosexuality here, but that lifestyle is not encouraged in the same way it is in San Francisco, CA. We are an entirely different breed here, more geared toward marriage and family. Gay men and lesbians are not really a good fit with Corpus.

[Patrick B.]

Originally Posted by jbtx

I don't see Corpus as a particularly gay friendly city. It is a largely Catholic community with strong ties to a basically anti-gay religion. Yes, there is some homosexuality here, but that lifestyle is not encouraged in the same way it is in San Francisco, CA. We are an entirely different breed here, more geared toward marriage and family. Gay men and lesbians are not really a good fit with Corpus.

You have summed up this coastal community very well. I agree with your summation.