Orlando vs San Antonio (college, live in, retire)

[Robert123]

Hello, I am a translplant from Chicago to San Antonio who is not pleased with some of the social values in San Antonio. I would like to hear from anyone who lives (or has lived) in Orlando, and who has experience with San Antonio, how they would compare the two cities in terms of the acceptance of those of different sexual orientations. I recently "came out" in a post in the San Antonio forum (just in passing really), and received quite offensive curses, sadly. I wasn't entirely surprised, given my experiences in Texas, but I wondered if it's the same in Orlando. Thanks.

[blueoktober]

There are a million mean things I can say about Orlando, but one good thing I can tell you is that MOST people couldn't care less about your sexual orientation on a PERSONAL level. However the surrounding area is VERY RED. I can say I have never seen outright homophobia in Orlando. Lots of gay folks. Most of downtown is gay. Just be aware that stepping out of the city limits changes the landscape drastically.

[Robert123]

Thanks a lot for your response

[blueoktober]

You're welcome and good luck on finding the place that best fits you!

[florigidge]

i have male gay friends who live in atlanta - and have lived there for about 20-plus years - and love it (though i know one, a native miamian, hopes to retire back to north florida.) so you might do some checking about atlanta.

i would say that *maybe* the larger cities/college towns in florida a NOT homophobic, but anything "small" - yes, they're very much the "south."