Nightlife for gay's? (YMCA, construction, price) - Oklahoma City - Oklahoma (OK) - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

okcguy31 · 01-18-2008, 02:57 PM

Hi, wmassjb!
I am gay and have lived most of my life in Oklahoma City. We actually have quite a vibrant gay community for a city as conservative as OKC is. Yes, the majority of the gay community is situated around the 39th and Penn area, but there are a few other gay bars sprinkled around other areas of the NW side of the city. Overall, I would say the NW side is the most gay friendly part of town. Our gay pride parade may be small compared to larger cities, but we do have thousands turn out for the event every June. There are gay organizations here in town as well such as PFLAG, Cimmaron Alliance and others. Several gay friendly churches exist as well, including an MCC. You might want to check out HNOKC.net for local GLBT news and info. My partner and I do not get heckled on the street, although we are careful not to show affection in public, either. Which is sad, but it is Oklahoma. This town is not perfect and frankly, I'd love to move on to somewhere else if I could convince my partner, but we make do and it could be alot worse! Good luck with everything!

ak218 · 01-18-2008, 03:46 PM

I agree with what has previously been said - 39th St. Enclave and Paseo (not "gay" per se - just...artsy).

It's been a few years since I lived in OKC, but I used to love going out to 39th St. Growing up in OK, it was always incredible to me that a town so conservative had such a vibrant gay community. I feel the same way since living other places.

Do they still publish the Gayly Oklahoman? It's a weekly newspaper that would have a list of the clubs/bars/GLBT friendly establishments. It used to be at any of the places downtown, but also Barnes & Nobles, Borders, etc.

wmassjb · 01-19-2008, 09:17 AM

Thank you OKCGUY31

That post was inspirational for me.
The biggest concern we have had in moving there is how we might be treated due to being gay.
We have wanted to move further south for such a long time but always held back due to concerns. It seem though that as each year is passing more and more gay people are heading south, so i imagine that things will continue to progress.

We are down to just 2 weeks from today till we arrive..So fantastic indeed!

windowphobe · 01-19-2008, 10:25 AM

The Gayly put out its last print edition a couple years ago; their Web site is in "under construction" status. HNOKC.com is still around. GayOKC.com's Database keeps track of services and support groups.

colleeng47 · 01-19-2008, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wmassjb

Thank you OKCGUY31

That post was inspirational for me.
The biggest concern we have had in moving there is how we might be treated due to being gay.
We have wanted to move further south for such a long time but always held back due to concerns. It seem though that as each year is passing more and more gay people are heading south, so i imagine that things will continue to progress.

We are down to just 2 weeks from today till we arrive..So fantastic indeed!

you will be a great addition to OK.

Synopsis · 01-19-2008, 04:27 PM

You will do fine in OkC wmassjb! Come on down!

Picasso's Laughing · 01-20-2008, 04:02 PM

Don't be fooled. OKC is not terribly gay friendly. There are ares of town where the more progressive folk live, though. Stick to the areas close to North Western Avenue. These include my old neighborhood, Mesta Park. It has great old houses and many gay people.

You're also going to be okay in Paseo, Edgemere, and Crown Heights. There's also a great little neighborhood north of 50th & Shartel which you ought to check out. I can't remember its name at the moment. Sorry.

Edmond is nice, but you'll find bibles on every corner. Same with Bethany. Yukon, Mustang, Midwest City, Choctaw, and Moore are too country for my tastes, but you may like them. Eastern Oklahoma County is quite beautiful.

As far as suburbs go, Norman is great. It's progressive, youthful, and dynamic. It is a city that seems to be going somewhere.

There are several other areas to check out. Look at Putnam Heights and other neighborhoods along NW 39th. Also, check out Gatewood and the neighborhoods up and down Classen Blvd. Some of these are up and coming. You can still buy cheap there. The gay district, 39th Street, is a little seedy and has little to do except drink and hook up.

Good luck.

peggydavis · 01-21-2008, 06:58 AM

Oklahoma City is no San Francisco when it comes to being gay friendly, but there is a sizable gay community and the many areas mentioned that would be comfortable for a gay couple to live. Tulsa is good too.

Oklahoma in general does not have a real big bar/dance night life for anyone. I have a lot of lesbian friends in Tulsa and they don't go out that much, they usually have house parties to dance & socialize.

Synopsis · 01-21-2008, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peggydavis

Oklahoma City is no San Francisco when it comes to being gay friendly, but there is a sizable gay community and the many areas mentioned that would be comfortable for a gay couple to live. Tulsa is good too.

Oklahoma in general does not have a real big bar/dance night life for anyone. I have a lot of lesbian friends in Tulsa and they don't go out that much, they usually have house parties to dance & socialize.

Once, when I lived in Tulsa, I accidentally stepped into a gay bar. I probably spent near 30 minutes in there before I realized that it was filled with guys, and guys only. There were other, subtle things going on that made me realize this. I was a little embarrassed and took my leave shortly thereafter.

It was a cool place though; nobody bothered me and it was packed with people. I kind of scratched my head after I left there thinking, "Hey! They didn't think I was attractive enough to hit on?!!!!"

_redbird_ · 01-21-2008, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synopsis

Once, when I lived in Tulsa, I accidentally stepped into a gay bar. I probably spent near 30 minutes in there before I realized that it was filled with guys, and guys only. There were other, subtle things going on that made me realize this. I was a little embarrassed and took my leave shortly thereafter.

It was a cool place though; nobody bothered me and it was packed with people. I kind of scratched my head after I left there thinking, "Hey! They didn't think I was attractive enough to hit on?!!!!"

LOL! So what tipped you off and which one of the village people did you represent??

Inquiring minds want to know.