Madison (Memphis, Gallatin: YMCA, living in, area)

[kilted]

Originally Posted by TNRyan23

No problem. My very best friend of 20 years is gay and was the best man at my wedding. I know alot of the things he goes through and he, himself, lives in Hendersonville as well.

Obviously, Anywhere where there is a large population it is diverse and a diverse population is usually more accepting of diffrent things. Houston Texas is accepting of gay relationships but don't expect the same in Tyler, TX. My point is, You can't expect to have the same open and understanding in a country town that you would in a major city.

You also have to remember that the U.S. is a VERY cynical and VERY appearance driven society. Some people can't deal with things that are too diffrent then the normal everyday. I don't care about hair styles but I can almost guarantee you that atleast in corporate America, a clean cut person in a suit will almost always be considered over a person in goth clothes and a mohawk. It's unfortunate but it's a reality.

OK, first of all, I'm a punk, not a goth, I don't feel the need to be sad all the time. Secondly I have worked in the corporate world, I have sold cars at a new car dealership, and I currently work in sales in a field where our lowest income customers are still millionaires. I have also done a lot of hiking in the Southern Appalachians and spent considerable amounts of time in towns with populations smaller than some of the condo buildings in downtown Nashville, in none of these places have I felt like as much of an outcast as I do when I walk into the Kroger on Main Street in Hendersonville.

As far as being gay goes I can walk down the street in East Nashville or Bell Meade or Hillsborough Village holding hands with my boyfriend and no one cares, or if they do they are at least polite enough to keep it to themselves. When we moved to Madison all of our neighbors immediately welcomed us with open arms (maybe they thought that having a gay couple in the neighborhood would help their property values?). Yet when my members of my mother's church in Hendersonville found out that she had a gay son she was told that there was no hope for me, that I am going to hell, and that she should disown me as it wouldn't look good for her to be seen with me and my boyfriend.

If I am accepted in tiny little rural towns in Appalachia then it isn't the size of Hendersonville that makes the difference. If I can feel free to be who I am in the wealthiest parts of Nashville without risking a conflict than it isn't the income level of the citizens of Hendersonville. It all comes down, in my humble opinion, to the simple fact that Hendersonville and a few similar places in this area, are the closest thing I have found to a Southern, Republican, version of Orwell's novel 1984. Some will find comfort in a situation like this. They won't be able to understand why anyone would want to live any differently (by the way, most of Seattle acts the same way that Hendersonville does, just in a North Western, Democrat kind of way). And you know what, that's just fine for them. I only go to Hendersonville once a week or so now and that's just to cut my parent's lawn and help them out with a few things around the house, so for the most part I won't have to bother any of those living in your fine city. But don't tell the world that we live in an hell hole or as one poster stated an "armpit" just because you need to be surrounded by your own kind (however you interpret that) to feel safe. There is a big world out here, please feel free to ignore it if you want to.

[TNRyan23]

Originally Posted by kilted

But don't tell the world that we live in an hell hole or as one poster stated an "armpit" just because you need to be surrounded by your own kind (however you interpret that) to feel safe. There is a big world out here, please feel free to ignore it if you want to.

I'm sorry you didn't/haven't had a good time in Hendersonville. Don't attack me over it. I don't care for Madison just like you don't care for Hendersonville. I never attacked or flamed you. I would ask for the same.

I don't go to church for some of the very reasons you stated. I don't care for the small talk behind your back and the judgement from a bunch of blue hairs and people I don't really know or care to know.

Excuse me for not knowing that punk/goth was the same, diffrent, or whatever it is. Where I grew up in Florida people that were punks were also gothic and they were the only ones wearing mohawks and drying their hair diffrent colors, ect, ect. I was busy playing sports and didn't get into social scenes.

I'm sure being gay in the south is tough and honestly I really don't believe that you've only been discriminated against in Hendersonville. Granted, There are alot of rednecks that live here but much like I don't know you, You don't know me and for you to say that I need to be " surrounded by your own kind " is wrong and uncalled for.

My wife and I have been threatend in the Columbia area by a man that said he was a klansman, I don't know if he was or not but I wasn't about to stick around to find out. We had nooses hung from trees in our yard when we lived in Mt. Juliet. Things are rough all over. People don't like and are scared of things that are different to them. You're not the only one. The only way to beat the people that tell you you're going to hell or do hatefull things to you is to shower them with kindness.

I really find it comical that when people want to bash Madison for what it is, The reply from the Madison lovers is that it's a diverse area and that if you don't like it, you must be racist or need to find comfort with your own race. My wife is black and said she would rather die than live in Madison. It was her idea to move to Hendersonville in the first place. Mostly because Madison neighborhoods looked run down and people in Hendersonville ( as a rule ) keep their stuff looking nice, lawns mowed, no dead cars in the yards, ect, ect.

Atleast, where I live down by the lake, people keep their stuff up.

Oh, and last but not least...

I was born in Orlando, FL and was raised in Tampa, FL.

Since I was 6 years old, I've lived in Cincinnati, OH, Los Angeles, CA, Houston, TX, Ft. Myers, FL, and now Nashville, TN.

I may not have been to the "Southern Appalachians" but I think I've traveled a good bit in my short, 25 years. I know the world is big and unfortunatly, The economy is **** poor pretty much everywhere BUT Nashville. We like it here. If you think Hendersonville is harsh towards gay people with mohawks, I would suggest that you NEVER go to Texas. Atleast not outside of Metro-Houston or Metro-Dallas.

[mad fiddler]

Originally Posted by TNRyan23

I really find it comical that when people want to bash Madison for what it is, The reply from the Madison lovers is that it's a diverse area and that if you don't like it, you must be racist or need to find comfort with your own race. My wife is black and said she would rather die than live in Madison. It was her idea to move to Hendersonville in the first place. Mostly because Madison neighborhoods looked run down and people in Hendersonville ( as a rule ) keep their stuff looking nice, lawns mowed, no dead cars in the yards, ect, ect.

Just stop it already. "For what it is" is really just your opinion, based on the particular area of Madison you lived in. And there's no city of 50,000 -- like Hendersonville -- where "as a rule" everyone behaves in a certain way.

In my neighborhood lawns are mowed, there aren't dead cars in the yards, and houses look nice. If I were to post a picture of my neighborhood, and a picture of 1960s-vintage Hendersonville, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

You like Hendersonville. Fine. Leave it at that. I'm glad you're happy there. But that's no reason to trash neighborhoods you don't know anything about.

And please stop telling other people they're wrong about their own experience. Just because it's not yours doesn't mean it's wrong.

[TNRyan23]

I'll take the high road. I won't comment on this topic anymore.

You can have Madison.

[mad fiddler]

Originally Posted by TNRyan23

Interestingly enough I've gotten like 20 rep points in this thread.

I didn't " trash " your neighborhood. I told the truth about MADISON. As far as my " not knowing anything about it " I lived there from 2001-2005. I would think in the 4 years I lived in the hell hole that is Madison, I would know a little bit about it.

I didn't tell anyone they were wrong about their experiences, I just am not a dense person. I don't believe for a second that someone that is openly gay ( there is nothing wrong with it ) and is an adult that wears a mohawk in public. Has only been discriminated against in ONE small town in the Deep South. Sorry man, I'm not a fool.

This is my last post on the subject. If you're in love with Madison then so be it. You can have it and live a long happy life there ( provided you don't shot ) Maybe you and the guy on Myatt Drive that has 10 deer heads and 4 confederate flags on his porch can kick back and have a beer and celebrate the greatness that is Madison.

Have at it.

Just don't sell these people that are relocating to Nashville a big line of B.S. about how nice Madison is because it's a lie and will give these new residents a bad impression of Nashville. Madison is NOT a little slice of heaven like you're making it out to be.

I've lived here since 2001, and still live here, with no intention of moving. When you talk about Madison as a whole, you're talking about my neighborhood, too.

Here's what I've been saying all along: There are rough areas of Madison. There are also very nice areas of Madison. I pointed out examples of each. You lived in a rough area, and that seems to have colored your opinion of the entire town. I live in a nice area, but still recognize there are rough areas. I leave it up to readers to decide who's being more realistic.

I'm not "in love" with Madison, and clearly pointed out problem areas in my first post in this thread, and in our earlier discussion said that we had different views because you had lived in a rougher part of town. Don't misrepresent what I said and what I continue to say.

I'm finished here, too, and hope the moderators lock this thread. It seems as if facts aren't enough for you to make your opinion less black-and-white, and maybe to realize Madison isn't a cesspool of crime. For example, you pointed out that you weren't assaulted/robbed/murdered during all your times traveling Gallatin Road, and you chalk it up to a miracle. There's a much simpler explanation: Maybe things here aren't as bad as you think.

Others who actually live here have said the same thing I have, and none have claimed Madison is a "little slice of heaven." I do, however, get tired of Hendersonville residents saying that about their city, as if everyone would be happy there.

All I ask is that those who post about Madison stop trashing the entire town. It's unfair, and disrespectful to those of us who tell our own experience of living here.

Feel free to talk about your experience, and feel free to hate Madison, but don't assume it's some kind of objective measure, or that you have the "truth" about Madison.

[Steve_TN]

They BOTH stink. Just come to Murfreesboro! Right Kim? I'm just kidding! I'm trying to add a little comic relief.

[Beretta]

As long as the comments aren't personal attacks the thread stays open. So far I haven't really seen personal attacks so debate the cities all you want.

Of course, Steve's post might be seen as off topic but well, he was trying to post comic relief? (playing with ya Steve).

A good debate is always welcome here. I don't know either of the cities but am enjoying the posts and learning so much about everyone and the towns.

[Lake.Lady]

I just have to laugh my butt off here. Madison is better........no, Hendersonville is better..........NO! Madison is better...........NO................ I think you get the point.

I moved here from the west coast and I have a gay nephew. According to some here I have 2 strikes against me right off the bat! Yea, I live in evil Hendersonville. I couldn't and won't tell you anything about Madison because I just drive through it. I can, however, tell you about Hendersonville;

1. I have met the friendliest (ever) people here in Hendersonville.
2. They don't care that I have a gay nephew. They said that when he comes to visit they will welcome him with open arms.
3. The kids are the most polite people with the yes sirs and no mams. WOW!
4. Hendersonville is one of the most crime free towns I have ever lived in.

I can't imagine the kinds of problems that others have had because I just haven't seen this. I'm not accusing anyone of lying, but I can say that there has to be more to the story than a mowhawk.

After spending my entire life on the west coast I can honestly say that Hendersonville is the friendliest place I have ever lived.

Best of luck to you all

[mad fiddler]

Originally Posted by Lake.Lady

I just have to laugh my butt off here. Madison is better........no, Hendersonville is better..........NO! Madison is better...........NO................ I think you get the point.

I'm always glad when someone finds a place where they're happy.

So I'm not claiming Madison is "better," because "better" means different things to different people. I'm only saying that some people are happier in one place, some in a very different one.

I'm happy and comfortable in my little part of Madison, others are happy and comfortable elsewhere. That doesn't mean there's something objectively wrong with either place.

[Kim918]

Originally Posted by Steve_TN

They BOTH stink. Just come to Murfreesboro! Right Kim? I'm just kidding! I'm trying to add a little comic relief.

Dare I say..... Right Steve!