City Ranks High With Same-Sex Couples (Jacksonville, Springfield: homes, taxes, live)

[gradco2004]

From Jacksonville.com

"A national magazine has named Jacksonville one of the "top five emerging cities for gays and lesbians."

Really.

Though the claim might not square with the city's conservative image, The Advocate, aimed at a gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender audience, recently placed Jacksonville on that exclusive list, along with Plano, Texas; Fort Wayne, Ind.; Tulsa, Okla.; and Anchorage, Alaska."

Full Article Here:

Jacksonville.com

[gradco2004]

I think the article was very balanced and accurate...

From personal experience, I have been here almost three years, and have not had even ONE incident of intolerance or bigotry. If anything, people are facinated by the dynamic of my partner and I, and I have had many people comfort me with their admiration of my relationship. Jax is not the 1950's like I was expecting. I guess that it helps that I am from a different generation though. Being that I am around the 20-30 year old crowd helps. I really think that has an effect on the experience that everyone will have. I am fortunate to be imbraced by my community & co-workers, but I know everyone will not have that same fortune.

That being said, like the article says, Jax has a long way to go. I am fortunate to work for a company with an anti-discrimination policy agains same gender loving people and that practices affirmative action. Until there is some way for taxpaying gays and lesbians to access their right to enter into a marriage contract, Florida will remain undesirable as a homestead.

A lot of my gay & lesbian friends only live here for 5 months or so out of the year b/c they want to retain the marriage benefits provided by their home states. Instead of snow birds, they are gay birds (and that makes them flamingos). If I had a job that allowed for telecommuting, then I would probably do the same.

[Huckleberry3911948]

i dont know much about this city but will visit there very soon.
do we see the flourishing of art appreciation and beautiful housing makeovers in jacksonville as we do in san francisco.

[jbm32206]

Then you haven't seen our city....you should look through Springfield, Avondale and Riverside...talk about restorations!

[apanda]

I saw that article mentioned on First Coast News, Jax was second next to Plano, TX it said.
Top Stories - Jacksonville Named One of Top Five Cities for Same-Sex Couples

[riveree]

Kewl !

It's a good article and their reasoning for why we are "one of the top five emerging" makes a lot of sense.

I've got fairly well-honed gaydar, if I do say so myself , and I see gay and lesbian couples when I'm out and about in the city, and not just in the areas known to be more gay-friendly, but everywhere and anywhere...it makes me smile inside .

Now this part below makes me sad, Gradco, I hope that's not the only reason why your friends are snowbirds/gaybirds !

Originally Posted by gradco2004

A lot of my gay & lesbian friends only live here for 5 months or so out of the year b/c they want to retain the marriage benefits provided by their home states. Instead of snow birds, they are gay birds (and that makes them flamingos). If I had a job that allowed for telecommuting, then I would probably do the same.

[vdecapio]

Originally Posted by gradco2004

That being said, like the article says, Jax has a long way to go. I am fortunate to work for a company with an anti-discrimination policy agains same gender loving people and that practices affirmative action. Until there is some way for taxpaying gays and lesbians to access their right to enter into a marriage contract, Florida will remain undesirable as a homestead.

A lot of my gay & lesbian friends only live here for 5 months or so out of the year b/c they want to retain the marriage benefits provided by their home states. Instead of snow birds, they are gay birds (and that makes them flamingos). If I had a job that allowed for telecommuting, then I would probably do the same.

Just a couple of curious questions?

1. What did you mean about your companies anti-discrimination policy? Does it actually mention gay relationships in the handbook? I guess I didn't think that any companies really care what you're relationships are outside of work. Are there companies out there who do discriminate against gay couples?

2. What are the gay benefits for those flamingos ? Are these states with same sex unions? Lets say they were able to get a state-ordered contract in NJ and then moved to FL. Don't they still technically have the union? Do you mean a state like Florida will not recognize the union for taxes, etc.? And what are the states that have the benefits for gays....I guess I would think NJ, MA, CA.

[vdecapio]

This quote from the Mayor's spokeswoman in the article really says it all about Jacksonville. This is a mayor's spokeswoman who doesn't even think of the city as progressive.

Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton's spokeswoman Susie Wiles said, "Oftentimes, we don't think of ourselves as progressive, so the designation is interesting."

You know if I was the mayor's spokesperson and I wanted to see Jacksonville grow and was open to lifestyles like this and seeing the city attract more and more diversity I would make this type of comment:

Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton's spokesperson vdecapio said, "You know the numbers are really starting to show what we are trying to have happen here in Jacksonville. The mayor and everyone on the municipal government here in Jacksonville sees the city's potential as an attractive place for all types of people and we have been working hard to attract that diversity here. So, it is nice to see the numbers starting to show it."

But obviously, Susie, old Johnny P., and myself think completely opposite on this one.

[vdecapio]

Also, notice that she used the word interesting to describe the news. A political safety word that says nothing positive or negative. It is a completely neutral word.

Interesting.

[apanda]

Originally Posted by vdecapio

Also, notice that she used the word interesting to describe the news. A political safety word that says nothing positive or negative. It is a completely neutral word.

Interesting.

You do have some interesting points!

Does COJ want us to progress??