Louisville Gay Friendliness (Lexington, Bardstown: work, homes, crime)

[Lemoncello]

I'm considering a move back home to Ky and have Louisville in mind. Would it be a good choice for a gay college professor? Any suggestions as to good neighborhoods would be welcomed. Location, convenience, well-kept homes, peace and quiet, good neighbors are keys points.

[stx12499]

Originally Posted by Lemoncello

I'm considering a move back home to Ky and have Louisville in mind. Would it be a good choice for a gay college professor? Any suggestions as to good neighborhoods would be welcomed. Location, convenience, well-kept homes, peace and quiet, good neighbors are keys points.

Louisville is very gay friendly. There are quite a few gay professors I know of in Old Louisville, near campus. The Highlands and Clifton also have a large concentration of gays. Louisville is really accepting of anyone and is much different than almost anywhere else in the state.

[Rapartist]

Originally Posted by stx12499

Louisville is very gay friendly. There are quite a few gay professors I know of in Old Louisville, near campus. The Highlands and Clifton also have a large concentration of gays. Louisville is really accepting of anyone and is much different than almost anywhere else in the state.

What you smoking? Look at who is getting mugged downtown. The flamboyants and twinks are the fastest growing crime stats in Jeff Co. Check it out.

[Lemoncello]

Not being into a bar scene-based social life are there activities for middle aged men available in Louisville that will provide avenues to meet new people and adapt? Of course, neighborhoods are primary concerns. Which ones should I look into on a sightseeing expedition?

[Off Topic]

Originally Posted by Rapartist

What you smoking? Look at who is getting mugged downtown. The flamboyants and twinks are the fastest growing crime stats in Jeff Co. Check it out.

First I've ever heard of this. Do you have a link to a reliable media source? I have several gay friends and co-workers who disagree with this statement.

BTW, calling someone a "twink" seems to be somewhat bigoted on its face.

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by Rapartist

What you smoking? Look at who is getting mugged downtown. The flamboyants and twinks are the fastest growing crime stats in Jeff Co. Check it out.

I stumbled on this one.

I'm not sure if the slang is the same up there as it is in Atlanta, but the OP seemed to question in general if there's any danger simply because he's gay. "Twinks" (effeminate gay men) are a small-in-numbers subculture stereotype within the gay community that are generally picked on in every city - I doubt Louisville would be an exception to this. There are cases of flamboyant gay men who get picked on in New York City, for that matter, so that's not news. If you stand out in a stereotypical way (yuppie, black, gay, whatever) people are going to pick on you. There are however, some smaller cities where even masculine gay men would be just about burned at the stake if anyone found out about them regardless of who he was or what he acted like.

Seeing as how this guy (OP) is a college professor, my guess is that's the biggest concern for him in this case.

[stx12499]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

I stumbled on this one.

I'm not sure if the slang is the same up there as it is in Atlanta, but the OP seemed to question in general if there's any danger simply because he's gay. "Twinks" (effeminate gay men) are a small-in-numbers subculture stereotype within the gay community that are generally picked on in every city - I doubt Louisville would be an exception to this. There are cases of flamboyant gay men who get picked on in New York City, for that matter, so that's not news. If you stand out in a stereotypical way (yuppie, black, gay, whatever) people are going to pick on you. There are however, some smaller cities where even masculine gay men would be just about burned at the stake if anyone found out about them regardless of who he was or what he acted like.

Seeing as how this guy (OP) is a college professor, my guess is that's the biggest concern for him in this case.

I would feel more comfotable being gay in Louisville than Atlanta with exception of Midtown Atlanta.

Limoncello, you will have no problems and will meet many people at the University...which one may I ask? The Highlands and Old Louisville as well as Clifton are the places to start. Day's Coffee shop on Bardstown Road is well known for being a gay coffee shop, so you might go and ask some people there first. Since I am straight, I really cannot help you too much but I do have gay friends I could ask.

It is kind of cheesy and full of scum, but you may be able to meet a few nice gay people here:

Louisville Mojo: Louisville Personals, Events, Louisville Classifieds, Blogs, Forums & Chat... For Free!

It is sort of a local myspace and does bring out a trashy element, but there are nice people on there and you can search by orientation. Here is a local gay weekly:

G3 Illustrated - It's more than a magazine... it's a movement!

Sorry, thats about all I know for know. There is no "gay ghetto" here like you find in Chicago, SF, Philly, or any other top 10 city, but Old Louiville has an awfully heavy concentration of gays.

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by stx12499

I would feel more comfotable being gay in Louisville than Atlanta with exception of Midtown Atlanta.

Actually, Midtown Atlanta still has the reputation for having more of the so-called "twink" gay population that was mentioned above by someone. Atlanta has changed a lot recently especially since the Olympics. More mainstream gay couples live pretty much in all the closer-in suburban areas now. The only troubles are when you get about 20+ miles outside the city and even then in some areas it's not a big deal so long as there aren't any rainbow flags hanging on the porch, etc.

I asked a friend of mine who is from Lexington and who has a gay sister what the deal was in that area and he said that Louisville is indeed much more accepting of it, especially when compared to Lexington which he said is definately NOT.

[Lemoncello]

So, someone concludes that "seeing how this guy is a college professor," he would be concerned, by implication, about getting roughed up!!! This new attempt at stereotyping marks the first time I've ever heard anyone link being a professor to being flamboyantly gay.

Liberal maybe, but most gay professors/teachers I've ever met have been overly cautious in measuring out their lifestyles in the classroom arena, particularly in order to nurture their students' learning instead of establishing a "here and *****" personal platform that takes precedence over education.

My interest is in finding a community/neighborhood where being gay is a dimension of being human and not spotlighted. I have long since passed the point where a derogatory remark is going to send me in the opposite direction. I can take care of myself!!!

I'm surprised about the Lexington remarks. I've heard that Lexington is the best city in the country for lesbians, in particular, and very open to gays. It's just too clicky and small for me.

Thanks for the info about the Highlands, Clifton, and U of L. What about the east end suburbs?

Does anyone know anything about group activities in Louisville such as organizations, sports, clubs, etc?

[stx12499]

Originally Posted by Lemoncello

So, someone concludes that "seeing how this guy is a college professor," he would be concerned, by implication, about getting roughed up!!! This new attempt at stereotyping marks the first time I've ever heard anyone link being a professor to being flamboyantly gay.

Liberal maybe, but most gay professors/teachers I've ever met have been overly cautious in measuring out their lifestyles in the classroom arena, particularly in order to nurture their students' learning instead of establishing a "here and *****" personal platform that takes precedence over education.

My interest is in finding a community/neighborhood where being gay is a dimension of being human and not spotlighted. I have long since passed the point where a derogatory remark is going to send me in the opposite direction. I can take care of myself!!!

I'm surprised about the Lexington remarks. I've heard that Lexington is the best city in the country for lesbians, in particular, and very open to gays. It's just too clicky and small for me.

Thanks for the info about the Highlands, Clifton, and U of L. What about the east end suburbs?

Does anyone know anything about group activities in Louisville such as organizations, sports, clubs, etc?

What kind of clubs. Anything you could dream up exists here from Flamenco clubs to French clubs, to swingers clubs. It is no NYC, but the city is large enough to give at least a tatse of everyting a big city offers, perhaps minus pro sports and uber high end shopping.