Gay friendliness (Des Moines, Davenport, Iowa City: restaurant, legally, bill)

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by LiveTodayLez08

No, I'm pretty sure it will be Arkansas.

Yes. However, Pennsylvania is the Arkansas of the Northeast!

[Kerby W-R]

A lot of gay dollars headed Iowa's way. This will definitely contribute to your economy.
Congratulations for those who now have equality on the state level. The federal government
has to make this equal for all before gays really have equal rights.

[zz4guy]

Originally Posted by bmurphy

I like the looks of Des Moines and Iowa in general - I don't know why. There's just something about Iowa that draws me. The bad news is that it's definetly "red" as far as voting and most likely not at all gay friendly. Can anyone tell me I'm wrong, or should I forget about Iowa? Any gay friendly cities?

About the only city I'd recommend is Iowa City. Most other cities will "accept" you, but there is no real gay culture in them.

I'd also recommend Madison, WI. I know its not IA, but they have a sizable gay pop. and are very liberal there.

[_redbird_]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

Let's toast to Pennsylvania being the 50th!

Originally Posted by LiveTodayLez08

No, I'm pretty sure it will be Arkansas.

Come on now, let's not pretend here. Oklahoma will never allow your two fine states to take that exalted position. We put the RED in red states, and I ain't talking Native Americans.

I still say the general population in all states does not have any clue how many of their red-blooded all-american, high moral fiber, hetero-married, church-going congregations are closet cases.

Maybe that is what skewered the polls. What comes out of a man's mouth in public and how he votes ~may~ be two different things.

[jabogitlu]

Um, I'm pretty sure TN will be 50.

Just kidding. I'd have to vote for Mississippi. They consistently come in last in everything.

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

I'd have to vote for Mississippi. They consistently come in last in everything.

What do you mean? They come in FIRST for obesity, FIRST for illiteracy, FIRST for high school drop out rates, etc.

[czote]

Originally Posted by bmurphy

I like the looks of Des Moines and Iowa in general - I don't know why. There's just something about Iowa that draws me. The bad news is that it's definetly "red" as far as voting and most likely not at all gay friendly. Can anyone tell me I'm wrong, or should I forget about Iowa? Any gay friendly cities?

No, IA. voted blue in the last election. We gave Obama the state in the caucuses at the primary. I live in Decorah, in the NE corner of the state. It is very gay friendly with a thriving gay population. There is a city equal rights amendment, welcoming churches, a wonderful food coop and support from the local PFLAG chapter. It is home to Luther college, a progressive, top notch learning institution. Two of my friends from Decorah were instrumental in getting gay marriage legislation passed for our state.
So yes, I believe you are wrong.

[TheFarmer'sDaughter]

Originally Posted by bmurphy

I like the looks of Des Moines and Iowa in general - I don't know why. There's just something about Iowa that draws me. The bad news is that it's definetly "red" as far as voting and most likely not at all gay friendly. Can anyone tell me I'm wrong, or should I forget about Iowa? Any gay friendly cities?

Okay, let's just get one thing straight. Not all of us are "red." In fact, most of the people I know would consider that to be slightly insulting. Now that's not to say we don't have some of those folk here. But not all of us vote that way. And there's quite a few people who support equal rights for gay people. Iowa City almost always makes people's top list for gay friendly. I'm honestly not sure about Des Moines, but there are some surrounding areas in Des Moines you might like, such as Ankeny. It's smaller than DM, but I think you'd fit in okay there. I really don't see you having a problem in Des Moines itself, to be quite honest.

[SharpHawkeye]

Here's a map showing the 2008 presidential results by county.


This is painting with the broadest brush possible here, but it generally holds true. Iowa is a "red state" west of I-80 and a "blue state" east of I-80. In general, you are going to find a much more gay-friendly environment in the east than the west.

[Chicago60614]

I-35