How's Knoxville, TN for prospective gay college student?
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This might be little off the topic but I am curious to know.
Is UTK a smoke-free campus or mostly smoke-free campus with designated areas for smokers? I found on the Internet about East TN State University and TN Technological being smoke-free but it said nothing about UTK.
I know TN has partial statewide ban on smoking. Does it ban smoking in bars throughout Knoxville like Club XYZ, for an example?
UT is not a smoke-free campus. Smoking is not allowed inside buildings, and smoking is supposedly not allowed immediately outside building entrances (although that one isn't really enforced). As far as I know, ETSU and TTU are the only smoke-free universities in Tennessee.
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I know TN has partial statewide ban on smoking. Does it ban smoking in bars throughout Knoxville like Club XYZ, for an example?
The rule is that if it's an 18 and up place, it's considered a restaurant and smoking is not allowed. Smoking is only allowed if it's 21 and up (bar), but many actual bars are 18 and up and ban smoking. I used to frequent some jam sessions at a place across the street from XYZ (Relix), and if XYZ is not 21 and up and d/n allow smoking I would be surprised.
This thread answered most of my questions about UTK and Knoxville.
I believe I will be fine in Knoxville as an atheist despite its high religious population.
I read in one source that Knoxville is one of fewest cities in the U.S. where more than 60% of the population are church goers. That surprised me because I expected Knoxville to be completely revolved around UTK as a college town with laid-back lifestyle and open-mindness.
Maybe that source about high population of church goers is applied to Knoxville Metro instead of the city limit. Would that make more sense?
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Originally Posted by Alek37205
This thread answered most of my questions about UTK and Knoxville.
I believe I will be fine in Knoxville as an atheist despite its high religious population.
I read in one source that Knoxville is one of fewest cities in the U.S. where more than 60% of the population are church goers. That surprised me because I expected Knoxville to be completely revolved around UTK as a college town with laid-back lifestyle and open-mindness.
Maybe that source about high population of church goers is applied to Knoxville Metro instead of the city limit. Would that make more sense?
Knoxville is a college city. Just like other college cities, there is sometimes a bit of difference between the school itself and the city that surrounds it. That's certainly not to say that you won't find a lot of different viewpoints in Knox county. As some have said, with a metro of it's size, you are bound to run across all types. I would not call Knoxville open or closed minded...but it is laid back, and with the university's presence, many have learned to accept the wide range of cultures and backgrounds that come and go from the university. As a rule, the closer you are to UT, the more diverse the atmosphere.
I think the high population of church goers probably applies to both the city and the Metro. There are certainly a lot of churches in Knoxville.
As far as feeling comfortable on campus, you shouldn't have a problem at UT. Like many major universities, there is quite a diverse crowd there, and individual groups are not afraid to show it. Of course you can always run across some bad apples, but in my time there, I never knew anyone who felt like they were repressed (unless they chose to be). The most entertaining thing at times can be the occasional street corner preacher who will assure you on your path to hell. There have been other, nastier groups that stop by and preach their hate, but rest assured, they make the good Christian people uncomfortable too, since they don't seem to discriminate with their hellfire and damnation sermon. They are not representative of the norm at the university...just passing "visitors."
UT Knoxville is no University of Texas at Austin, and certainly no University of Oregon or Cal Berkeley...but for a relatively conservative campus, I think it is relatively accepting and open-minded.
By the way, although you might not consider living there, The Fort (Fort Sanders) community directly north of campus is probably on of the more interesting student communities I have run across. Unlike much of Knoxville, it is quite dense (8,000 per sq mile) and offers a very unique living experience. Check city-data out for the specifics...the area code is 37916.
This thread answered most of my questions about UTK and Knoxville.
I believe I will be fine in Knoxville as an atheist despite its high religious population.
I read in one source that Knoxville is one of fewest cities in the U.S. where more than 60% of the population are church goers. That surprised me because I expected Knoxville to be completely revolved around UTK as a college town with laid-back lifestyle and open-mindness.
Maybe that source about high population of church goers is applied to Knoxville Metro instead of the city limit. Would that make more sense?
Knoxville isn't a college town; it's a medium sized city with a major university. Athens, GA and Blacksburg, VA are examples of college towns.
I'm not surprised by the church statistic, having grown up here, but I myself am agnostic and I don't typically get proselytized at too much; when I do I find it easy enough to laugh it off. If you tend to hang around people with similar viewpoints, and there are plenty of them, it's mostly a nonissue.
Also, the city limits encompass a pretty broad range of areas. I doubt the statistic is 60% for 4th and Gill or Fort Sanders, for instance.
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Knoxville isn't a college town; it's a medium sized city with a major university. Athens, GA and Blacksburg, VA are examples of college towns.
I'm not surprised by the church statistic, having grown up here, but I myself am agnostic and I don't typically get proselytized at too much; when I do I find it easy enough to laugh it off. If you tend to hang around people with similar viewpoints, and there are plenty of them, it's mostly a nonissue.
Also, the city limits encompass a pretty broad range of areas. I doubt the statistic is 60% for 4th and Gill or Fort Sanders, for instance.
As a former Fort Sanders resident, I would guess that while the number of Christians might be higher, the number who attend church is probably below 20%. Hard to make it to church when you are still drunk from last night's football game.
As a former Fort Sanders resident, I would guess that while the number of Christians might be higher, the number who attend church is probably below 20%. Hard to make it to church when you are still drunk from last night's football game.
I am from Johnson City, but your thread caught my eye as I have several gay friends from this area and Knoxville alike.
If you can't find what you are looking for in Knoxville, Johnson City is just a short 2hr drive away and I am certain you would find a strong gay community here to help you out. It may not be ideal while going to school in Knoxville to play 2hrs away in JC, but it's not the worst thing that could happen either.
Bearden is a friendly place, and an easy commute to UT, I suggest the Crestridge Apts, they have affordable studios, it is safe, and diverse. There is a gay bar close by within crawling distance, "Kurts", There is a UU and a MCC Church close by; Do not get out cruzing parks and such, the cops are not cool; There are many groups at UT and on campus all is fine. Remember, this is 2011, you have rights now don't be afraid to use them. Hope this helps. PS; Atheists can meet people through the UU and MCC Churches, they are more social places than bible cramers.
Last edited by JMT; 06-01-2011 at 09:47 AM..
Reason: No denigrating religions here, please.
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). The most entertaining thing at times can be the occasional street corner preacher who will assure you on your path to hell. There have been other, nastier groups that stop by and preach their hate, but rest assured, they make the good Christian people uncomfortable too, since they don't seem to discriminate with their hellfire and damnation sermon. They are not representative of the norm at the university...just passing "visitors."
