Salem - Any gay-friendly neighborhoods? (Portland, Eugene: house, job, college)

[retroshawn]

Hello,

My partner and I are considering a move to Salem next year. I've tried finding information on gay-friendly neighborhoods with no luck. Can anyone recommend some neighborhoods in Salem where we should look? Also, I love mid-century modern home so any neighborhoods built during the 50s or 60s would also be wonderful.

Finally, any insight into how gay-friendly some outlying areas may be, specifically Silverton, OR? I've heard Oregon is pretty liberal in general, but I'm not sure if that applies to smaller towns.

I appreciate your responses!

[Larry Caldwell]

Oregon doesn't ghettoize so much. If you are looking for gay bars, you are going to have a tough time.

There are some pretty vocal gay activists in the forum section of the Salem Statesman-Journal web site. You might ask them what life in Salem is like. My impression is that there isn't much going on in Salem, but maybe I'm just not paying attention.

[freedom]

Rural areas are more bible belt, Christian based.
Larger cities are more accepting of your lifestyle.
Downtown Salem, or Portland.

As you get further out from those, your choices won't be seen as acceptable to most. They won't harass or bother you, they just won't necessarily embrace you, unless they don't know.
There are some very activist gays in Oregon, and they are not liked by the majority. What they stand for goes against their beliefs.
Other than Ashland in So. Oregon. Very rainbow friendly whether downtown or in the surrounding countryside. Seems to be the So. Oregon gay mecca they are very open and active. Gay parade and all.

best wishes

freedom

[retroshawn]

When I say gay-friendly, I don't mean activists or gay bars. Are there neighborhoods in Salem that are gay-friendly in that the neighbors will invite my partner and I to the block party vs. vandelizing our house?

Appreciate any responses.

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by retroshawn

When I say gay-friendly, I don't mean activists or gay bars. Are there neighborhoods in Salem that are gay-friendly in that the neighbors will invite my partner and I to the block party vs. vandelizing our house?

Appreciate any responses.

I doubt that anyone will vandalize your house, at least because of your lifestyle. Kids with rattlecan are everywhere, though they mostly seem to confine themselves to utility boxes and such. There's some pretty interesting art on railroad cars.

As for block parties, the trick is going to be finding a neighborhood that has block parties. A crime wave will bring a neighborhood together, but most people seem to just live their lives. You will probably know who lives next door, but will not be buddies with them. If you want to party with your neighbors, the surest path is to throw a party and invite them.

Some people won't like you. I think you probably know that. Nobody will be burning crosses on your lawn.

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by freedom

[...] Other than Ashland in So. Oregon. Very rainbow friendly whether downtown or in the surrounding countryside. Seems to be the So. Oregon gay mecca they are very open and active. Gay parade and all.

Jackson County has the highest rate of HIV infection in the state, mostly because of Ashland.

A word to the wise...

[freedom]

Originally Posted by retroshawn

When I say gay-friendly, I don't mean activists or gay bars. Are there neighborhoods in Salem that are gay-friendly in that the neighbors will invite my partner and I to the block party vs. vandelizing our house?

Appreciate any responses.

I would be shocked if they vandalized, I think live and let live is the norm here. Although there is always a chance that a nutjob could be hiding in the hedges.

As to the block party? I would look into a neighborhood that doesn't have a lot of children. More the retirement areas. But that is just a guess.
Sorry I am not more help. I'm hetero with 5 kids, and haven't socialized with any gays since i was a single 20 somethin'. I know of 6 or 7 in G.P.

best wishes,

freedom

[bobmulk]

I live in Salem. I know of no gay neighborhoods like you'd find in the big cities. Salem is quite small (150K) remember. I think, as was mentioned above, if you don't flaunt your sexual persuasion, that most people will be accepting. My experience is that most people will accept pretty much anyone as long as they're not 'in your face' types.

[zilfondel]

Oregon is pretty laid back... I would tend to avoid smaller towns (souther/eastern oregon).

I took my ex-girlfriend who was asian (we were young 20-something college students) down to Medford and she got stares from everybody... def made us both comfortable. And we're straight!

However, in the cities - Eugene, Salem, Portland, Corvallis, McMinnville, etc - lifestyles like yours would be pretty accepting. Although I'd still seek out the liberal yuppie neighborhoods or urban funky ones.

[BVH]

Originally Posted by Larry Caldwell

Jackson County has the highest rate of HIV infection in the state, mostly because of Ashland.

A word to the wise...

Wow, that sure is a prejudicial statement if I ever heard one.