How Diverse/Accepting is Edwardsville, IL? (Belleville, East St. Louis: crime, university, suburbs)

[CM33]

I am wondering how diverse and accepting the area of Edwardsville, IL and surrounding areas (Collinsville, Fairview Heights, etc) are. I am currently looking to move there and I am hoping to find a community where people from all walks of life are accepted.

The main thing I am wondering is if people of gay/lesbian orientation are accepted in this community. Although I am not gay, many of my friends are and I want them to feel comfortable coming to spend time with me. My sister is also a lesbian and I want her and her partner to be able to come stay with me without there being a big fuss. They are not looking to "shove it in your face" as some people put it, but I don't want them to have to hide who they are either.

It may seem that I am asking an odd question but I am coming from a small Illinois town where it WAS an issue so that it exactly what I am trying to avoid. If this is not the community for me, I would like to know that before moving there.

Thank you all in advance for your response. I've searched the web to find out any info I can and I'm hoping that people will help me out by posting here.

[jojojohnson76]

I don't think you would have a problem in Edwardsville, especially considering it is a college town. I live in Fairview Heights and I also don't think it would be ap roblem there. If you live in Fairview Heights, it basically meshes completely with Shiloh, O'Fallon, and Swansea, and Belleville is only 7 miles up the road. So living in Fairview Heights (pop 17,000), O'Fallon (pop 23,000), and Shiloh (pop 10,000) is pretty much like living in a city of 50,000 people. Everyone I have ran in to have been cool, and the crime rates in all of these cities is very low, until you hit East St. Louis.

[illini84]

Yeah, Edwardsville is a college town, but it is still rural and a bit "small-town". I'm almost positive there is no LGBT nightlife or anything there, but that doesn't mean your friends would be hassled. The surrounding places you mentioned (Fairview Heights, Collinsville, Belleville, etc.) are all close suburbs of St. Louis. They're so close to the city that you don't even realize you've left St. Louis when you're driving down the interstate. I have some gay friends who life in Collinsville and have never had a problem. St. Louis and its suburbs are pretty gay-friendly. I wouldn't venture much out of the metro-area though (as I'm sure you're well aware). Stay around the suburbs and you'll be fine!

[mytjo95]

I think it'd be fine! it's a college town as people have mentioned, i'm not too familiar with the area, but I am familiar with the university. I attend SIUE, and I see lots of LGBT's on campus, I don't live on campus, I actually commute there everyday from STL county. Being gay myself, i'm always comfortable on campus, and in the town, and have learned the same feelings from gays/lesbians that reside on campus. Also, since St. Louis is only 20-25 minute drive, there is plenty of LGBT night life there

[CM33]

All of your responses have been so reassuring. I have a feeling this is the perfect place for us to be. If anyone else has anything to add...please do. It's good to know about the place before moving...I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

[illini84]

Just as a side note for when your friends come into town, have them check out:
-Bubby & Sissie's in Alton (LGBT bar) that's a crowd of all ages. Great place and tons of fun!
-Novak's Bar & Grill in St. Louis (LGBT bar/restaurant) younger crowd, but the best place for lesbians in St. Louis...is getting to be a lot of men too though...dance club after 11 or 12
-Attitude's in St. Louis (LGBT) Something different when Novak's gets old...mostly lesbians...mostly dancing

And for the guys...Loading Zone, The Complex, and tons of others in St. Louis...haven't been to these, but Loading Zone and Complex are very popular for men. Good luck to you!