An interracial gay couple in the twin cities? (Minneapolis, St. Paul: home, neighborhood)

[Trabbz]

I currently live in Palm Harbor, Florida. I was born in Wisconsin and was thinking about making a move back to the area, specifically the twin cities metro with my partner. We want to move out of Florida because the weather is too hot, the people are lazy, and the traffic sucks. We are an interracial gay couple (he's black, i'm white). He has lots of friends of all races. The problem is I don't want to move us all the way up there and have it be a mistake. We don't have any problems right where we are at. I don't want to subject him to a place that will give either of us constant stares because of our race or sexuality. People usually don't even know we are gay in public. I realize there are homophobes here and there and everywhere, but generally speaking, how do you think we would be treated in the area?

[golfgal]

No one would look twice at you here. Yes, there are going to be the few individuals that will be different but for the most part the gay community, especially in Minneapolis, is fairly large and well accepted.

[Trabbz]

Thats kind of what I thought. I know that Minneapolis seems to be a rather progressive city, but the race thing worries me a little as cities in the north tend to be a little more segregated than cities in the south (believe it or not). I heard Milwaukee and Chicago are the 2 most segregated cities in the country. Not sure if this is completely true, but it doesn't suprise me.

[Minnehahapolitan]

Minneapolis is de facto segregrated, but not racially so. People just gravitate towards like people here. It isn't a travesty for minorities to live in white areas, and vice versa (no one really cares). Just not as common. Mpls. has one of the best Gay communities around. Personally, I think we are more Gay than San Francisco for the fact that Gays live in every neighborhood. The highest contigency is in Loring Park (a great area for everyone). Interracial relationships are generally OK. Older people will be the most "surprised". I don't think you would run into a hard time living in Urban Mpls. The Cities are very Laissez-Faire socially. I wouldn't worry at all.

[Trabbz]

Thats what I was kind of thinking. I love Minneapolis and the whole surrounding area. I think it is very underrated.

[Wellstone]

minneapolis or st paul, no problem. stay away from the outer ring suburbs like anoka and dakota counties. there are a lot of people on the far right politically that like to get on the pulpit and try to control other people's lifestyles.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by Wellstone

minneapolis or st paul, no problem. stay away from the outer ring suburbs like anoka and dakota counties. there are a lot of people on the far right politically that like to get on the pulpit and try to control other people's lifestyles.

That is quite the broad sweeping statement and pretty false. You aren't going to have a problem in 99% of the state. Yes, if you moved to a very small, outstate town there would be talk, but when anyone moves to a small outstate town people talk.

[Minnehahapolitan]

/\I'm sorry, no. A interracial gay man is going to feel out-of-place in a place like Chaska or Blaine. The prejucice that may arise is debatable, but it would simply not be a comfortable environment. The outerring suburbs are very socially conservative. They may not burn a cross, but they aren't going to have the two over for dinner. Some people in these places are fine with it, but on the whole it is not where one would want to be. It is a broad statement, but not as false as you may think. A gay interracial couple will have problems in more than 1% of the state.

[Camden Northsider]

Move to Minneapolis (or St. Paul although I've never lived in St. Paul). You'll be fine anywhere in Minneapolis - are you looking to buy a home or rent?