Gay Life in Houston (Lindale, West: apartments, houses, neighborhood)

[johnherrera305]

Hi Folks,

I was wondering what is the Gay Scene like in Houston. How is the Gay Community. How tolerant is Houston? Being the 4th largest city in the country, I would expect it to be pretty liberal, although in Texas?

Any comments

[travelguy_73]

For the most part, Houston is a live-and-let-live type of town. People come here to make a good life for themselves, and that attitude plays out in social politics as well. Overall, it's a decent place to be gay, at least in the inner loop. I can't speak for the suburbs, but as in many cities, I would think the suburbs would be sort of lonely for (single) gays. I have lived inside the loop (not in the gay ghetto) pretty much since arriving here 10 years ago and don't give it a second thought. Now, I don't hold my boyfriend's hand in public or anything like that. But for the most part, people just don't care. Or if they do care, they generally know to keep thier mouths shut and their looks to themselves .

And given the influx of young college graduates, the attitudes only get better with each passing year.

[Kandy]

I think for the most part, Houston is very gay friendly. I am a married mother of two and I work for a gay travel company. [MOD CUT] When telling other Moms at playgroups, etc, what I do for a living, I have received nothing but positive comments. I think that even ten years ago, that may have been different. Like the pp said, it's only getting better with each passing year.

If you are new to the area, or thinking of moving here, check out meetups.com. There are several Houston meetup groups that are all gay and/or gay friendly. There is a group that meets up for dinner regularly, wine tasting, etc and a gay professionals group. This is a great resource for meeting people. I hope this info helps.

~K~

[modster]

Houston doesn't seem to have the concentrated "Gay ghetto" thing going on so much anymore. Most people would assume Montrose is, and to a certain extent that is true. It is certainly where the majority of the clubs are.

Whether or not that the overall "dispersing" of the demographic around town is a positive or a negative depends upon who you talk to. The internet seems to have "done in" a lot of the card/coffee shops in Montrose that tended to lend that sense of community to the area. There are still a lot of clubs, organizations, churches, etc., that cater to the Gay & Lesbian community.

As far as places to live, in Houston Gays tend to be scattered around close in areas. Places that Gays typically buy seems to change every few years as prices rise in one area and many of the buyers who do not have the benefit of "dual incomes" migrate to the next, (less expensive), "up & coming" area.

First it was Montrose, then it was Heights. When Heights starting getting pricey you had a lot of people buying in Timbergrove, Lazybrook & Garden Oaks. Those areas are kind of expensive now, so Westbury/Willowbend, Oak Forest, and points east such as Lindale Park, Eastwood & Glenbrook are seeing more people move in.

Houston is after all the 4th largest city in the U.S. I don't think you would have any real issues with it here.

[houguy1087]

Originally Posted by modster

Houston doesn't seem to have the concentrated "Gay ghetto" thing going on so much anymore. Most people would assume Montrose is, and to a certain extent that is true. It is certainly where the majority of the clubs are.

Whether or not that the overall "dispersing" of the demographic around town is a positive or a negative depends upon who you talk to. The internet seems to have "done in" a lot of the card/coffee shops in Montrose that tended to lend that sense of community to the area. There are still a lot of clubs, organizations, churches, etc., that cater to the Gay & Lesbian community.

As far as places to live, in Houston Gays tend to be scattered around close in areas. Places that Gays typically buy seems to change every few years as prices rise in one area and many of the buyers who do not have the benefit of "dual incomes" migrate to the next, (less expensive), "up & coming" area.

First it was Montrose, then it was Heights. When Heights starting getting pricey you had a lot of people buying in Timbergrove, Lazybrook & Garden Oaks. Those areas are kind of expensive now, so Westbury/Willowbend, Oak Forest, and points east such as Lindale Park, Eastwood & Glenbrook are seeing more people move in.

Houston is after all the 4th largest city in the U.S. I don't think you would have any real issues with it here.

Montrose is pretty much still the "gay ghetto" (though it's a gentrified one in that respect.) Lots of gay bathouses, clothing stores, bookstores, etc. Hell even the Starbucks on the corner is gay! Everyone who lives in my boyfriends apartment in Montrose is gay, gay-friendly, has made out with a gay person, was formely gay, bisexual, or the opposite sex, or been a gay escort/dancer/porn star...etc.

I think the gays tend to stick to the apartments, but there are always exceptions. Most of the people living in single-family homes around here are quite gay-friendly. People I don't know always wave and say "Hi" when I'm taking a walk with my boyfriend. I think that speaks for itself. The Hollywood Cafe would definitely be on the list of gay hang outs. A lot of gays are moving to Meyerland though. (I guess they are looking for some other area they can make beautiful!)

[johnherrera305]

Thanks for all the input!

[Supermac34]

Our suburban neighborhood has a gay couple living in our small community. I would say that they are very well received by neighbors.

[RGV]

Always wanted to do a thread on the Montrose area and the gay scene (day and night). Anyone interested in being a tour guide and I'll follow with my camera?

[recuerdeme]

Originally Posted by houguy1087

Montrose is pretty much still the "gay ghetto" (though it's a gentrified one in that respect.) Lots of gay bathouses, clothing stores, bookstores, etc. Hell even the Starbucks on the corner is gay! Everyone who lives in my boyfriends apartment in Montrose is gay, gay-friendly, has made out with a gay person, was formely gay, bisexual, or the opposite sex, or been a gay escort/dancer/porn star...etc.

That's probably the funniest thing I've read all day.

[houguy1087]

Originally Posted by recuerdeme

That's probably the funniest thing I've read all day.

I try...and I wouldn't say it if it weren't true. It's an 8 unit complex and I know everyone that lives there.