Gay Friendly (Knoxville, Johnson City, Kingsport: university, live in, mall)

[robertreynolds]

Hello I'm a gay single parent just wounding is this a good place for being gays and raising your children

[mbmouse]

Hi, welcome to the forum.
I wouldn't say the Tri-Cities are not gay friendly but I would think Asheville is more gay friendly than Tri-Cities only because I believe there is a larger gay population there. Not sure if that answers your question or not?

[Beretta]

Originally Posted by robertreynolds

Hello I'm a gay single parent just wounding is this a good place for being gays and raising your children

I would suggest Asheville also or suburbs in Atlanta. I have several gay co-workers, and some that are parents, and they mention Atlanta frequently as being more conducive to their lifestyle.

[Dylett]

I have many GLB friends right here in JC and they don't have any more problems than others do in other area's. From what I can see the GLB community is strong and supportive in JC. GL with your choice

[jabogitlu]

JC has definitely diversified in the past while, plus having ETSU here and the ever-increasing medical complex brings people in from all over the country and world. Yesterday, I was excited to see two women obviously together at the Mall at JC (if you're gay and live in a Southern City, you know what I mean when I describe this feeling).

Yes, NETN (for that matter, anywhere in TN) is not going to be an Alpha City, nor do we have any gayborhoods like Philly, &c. But we've come a long way from our gay-hating past. Plus, the more of us there are, the more hearts and minds we can awaken!

(Though, my conscience wouldn't be clear if I didn't tell you to check out Knoxville and Asheville. Similar cities, more gay. )

[jjbradleynyc]

The tri-cities area as a whole is NOT gay-friendly. Johnson City is probably the most, albeit in small pockets around the university--and the city does have a couple of gay bars. Most people, unfortunately, in Kingsport and Bristol and all surrounding towns and cities will look at a gay couple like they have six heads--and will definitely not "approve," so-to-speak.
I grew up in the tri-cities, born and reared there, and visit regularly. It is starting to be a bit more accepting, simply due to education and time. The old generation(s) that were unaccepting are getting older and their views, simply put, are getting older and being replaced with younger generations' views.
As mentioned by earlier posts, Knoxville, Asheville, or definitely Atlanta are much more gay-friendly than the tri-cities.
Sadly, the Baptists rule (mostly) in the tri-cities, and with that comes judgemental attitudes, unacceptance, and bigotry towards gay people. But, it is slowly changing and I think it will continue to get better.

[ccolon76]

Hi. I am new to the Johnson City area as well. I am looking for people that would show me around. Maybe do some outdoor activites.

[williboy]

Check out Winged Deer Park in Johnson City. I hear it starts getting very active as the weather gets warmer.

[ljay42]

Originally Posted by williboy

I hear it starts getting very active as the weather gets warmer.

Must be the circles you travel in heh? I live across the street and I haven't heard a thing.

Wasn't that preacher caught up in the sting from out your way?

[williboy]

I can thankfully say that I haven't a clue. I'm pretty sure it wasn't our preacher. As many as were rounded up, they probably had a representative from almost every spot in the area.