Baxter Springs, KS (Pittsburg, Cherokee: appointed, employment, high school)

[petrolatum]

Hellooo.
I'm a 20 year old gay male from Portland, OR about to move to Baxter Springs. There are some family issues and I really need to be there with them right now.

My question is: What's a guy like me going to do in Baxter Springs? Am I going to get lynched for being gay? Am I going to go crazy from lack of human contact? I'm gonna be needing to get a job - what's the job scene like?

I went to Baxter once when I was 6 and barely remember it. Any information would be much appreciated.

[thriftylefty]

Baxter is about 28 miles or so from pittsburg KS. there is a University there, PSU, I would say that the gay community there is accepted rather than tolerated . As far as employment , Cherokee County has the one of the worst economies in the state, driving to Pittsburg (Crawford County) every day for work or school in pretty common. but on the other hand you might find Joplin Mo (15 miles) more Gay friendly, more of a cultural scene, and better employment opportunities. The advantage of Baxter is its location on two of the Major roads in the area 69&44. I would think most people in Baxter use Joplin for all their , shopping, entertainment, and cultural needs, Having said all that, I would expect a significant cultural shock,

[briansgi]

You'll go stir crazy in Baxter I would imagine. Having said that, you'll probably want to visit Joplin Mo often. I heard at one time Joplin had more gays per capita then any other city in the US. Not sure if that's still the case, but Joplin is not that far from Baxter.

[Jujubeanz]

i went to high school there in the late 70's. There was one gay guy in the whole four-state area. He was picked on alot, not just by the kids but adults in the community too. People there are so phony. I hated that town. It is a dead cow town. Point to keep in mind...People replying will say that my comment was from a long time ago....but...those people grew up and had kids and instilled their beliefs in them which would be the same. Baxter Springs bites big time.

[seastorm]

why are you moving there?

[petrolatum]

Family issues. My mother just moved here after my parents split up...
There's a lot of factors, but this is just where I need to be right now.

[petrolatum]

Oh yeah, I'm here now.
It's not so bad.
...Ok, well it is.
I walk around town and I feel like everyone is just... STARING at me.

[cp1969]

Originally Posted by petrolatum

Oh yeah, I'm here now.
It's not so bad.
...Ok, well it is.
I walk around town and I feel like everyone is just... STARING at me.

Why? I can't tell a gay from a straight unless that person somehow advertises the fact that they are gay.

Anybody who does anything to attract attention to himself will get 'stared' at.

But, yeah, by all means, expect the town to change itself to fit you. You can't possibly get disappointed that way.

[thriftylefty]

Originally Posted by petrolatum

Oh yeah, I'm here now.
It's not so bad.
...Ok, well it is.
I walk around town and I feel like everyone is just... STARING at me.

Its because you are new, I hate to tell you this but in a small town, a few people already know your whole story

[quesera]

Be engaging, honest and friendly. People will warm up to you, once the "novelty" of a new person in town, wears off. I know, it sounds trite, but in small towns in SE Kansas, it holds true.