York, PA: gay friendly?? (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh: appointed, job market, neighborhoods)

[nocturnal rooster]

Nope, there are alot of gun totin' bush lovers down there. Not sure if thats the place for teh gays. If you want gay, NYC or a big city would have to do.

[danwxman]

Originally Posted by nocturnal rooster

Nope, there are alot of gun totin' bush lovers down there. Not sure if thats the place for teh gays. If you want gay, NYC or a big city would have to do.

Kind of a stereotype. I know plenty of gays who live around here, and Harrisburg has the highest gays per capita of any city in PA. Of course once you head outside of the suburbs you're in conservative Bush land, but the anti-gay attitude still isn't as bad as anything you'd find in the South...it's more of a live and let live kinda thing.

[openless]

The mayor of harrisburg is gay, almost everyone on its city council is either black, korean or jewish. the leader of the pa human rights commission is also gay. there are man at least a dozen gay bars in harrisburg. it is true that there are many hick rednecks in a lot of areas. there are a lot of racists and hillbillies true, and i think indiana and pennsylvania tie for most hate groups according to southern poverty law center. It's a stereotype that everyone outside of the city is a crazy, gun toting, bush loving, nascar adoring, flannel wearing, church going conservative. usually people who say that are heavily biased liberals. try watching the episode of family guy where brian says "quick look its a newly married interracial gay couple bunring the american flag" that is NOT pennsylvania. harrisburg is very tolerant, but if you flaunt it and shove it in someones face that you are a homosexual they are going to ignore you. there is nothing more annoying here than people who shove their values down your throat, and then call you ignorant or intolerant for not agreeing with them.

[ExYorker]

I was born and raised in York, PA, in the 1940s and 50s. It was a horrifying experience for me as a gay man. I thought I was the only gay person in the world.

Had anyone known at the time that I was gay, I would have been beaten up and possibly killed. I'm very lucky that I wasn't driven to suicide.

I fled York in 1960, at age 18, eventually settling in San Francisco, after having lived in New York City, and Seattle, WA.

I visited York in the late 80s, when my mom died. I was relieved to see that some progress had occurred. I saw a gay-positive show on local TV, broadcast from York, which would have been unheard of in my youth. I learned that there were gay social networks and bars.

My impression on this visit was that York was no longer virulently homophobic and that gay people could live satisfying lives there, provided they didn't expect too much.

However, many gay people have an interest in culture and the arts. York will continue to be a disappointment in this regard. The city I revisited was not anti-cultural, but it was not the right place to meet people with creative energies.

All in all, I would say that York is moving ahead, which is good news, but the pace of improvement will likely be unacceptable to anyone who has lived in a vibrant metropolitan environment.

[Gil3]

Originally Posted by ExYorker

I was born and raised in York, PA, in the 1940s and 50s. It was a horrifying experience for me as a gay man. I thought I was the only gay person in the world.

Had anyone known at the time that I was gay, I would have been beaten up and possibly killed. I'm very lucky that I wasn't driven to suicide.

I fled York in 1960, at age 18, eventually settling in San Francisco, after having lived in New York City, and Seattle, WA.

I visited York in the late 80s, when my mom died. I was relieved to see that some progress had occurred. I saw a gay-positive show on local TV, broadcast from York, which would have been unheard of in my youth. I learned that there were gay social networks and bars.

My impression on this visit was that York was no longer virulently homophobic and that gay people could live satisfying lives there, provided they didn't expect too much.

However, many gay people have an interest in culture and the arts. York will continue to be a disappointment in this regard. The city I revisited was not anti-cultural, but it was not the right place to meet people with creative energies.

All in all, I would say that York is moving ahead, which is good news, but the pace of improvement will likely be unacceptable to anyone who has lived in a vibrant metropolitan environment.

Ex Yorker,

Excellent statement.

[dblea65]

I am not to sure anywhere you go in PA is going to be accepting with open Arms... Try being like a normal couple and not advertizing it... I wouldn't want you next door to me... Mostly because of what you are going to be doing to a Child... I consider that Abuse... Best wishes and hope you find a place you can fit in!!! Try California...

[danwxman]

Originally Posted by dblea65

I am not to sure anywhere you go in PA is going to be accepting with open Arms... Try being like a normal couple and not advertizing it... I wouldn't want you next door to me... Mostly because of what you are going to be doing to a Child... I consider that Abuse... Best wishes and hope you find a place you can fit in!!! Try California...

Terrible post.

[dblea65]

Danwxman,
Why do you think it is a terrible post? I was honest, giving my opinion... And wished them the best. Just because I disagree with thier lifestyle doesn't mean I want bad things to happen to them. I just don't want to be around them or them around Children.
I guess because I do not accept it, makes me "The Bad Guy".... I can live with that!!!

[danwxman]

Originally Posted by dblea65

Danwxman,
Why do you think it is a terrible post? I was honest, giving my opinion... And wished them the best. Just because I disagree with thier lifestyle doesn't mean I want bad things to happen to them. I just don't want to be around them or them around Children.
I guess because I do not accept it, makes me "The Bad Guy".... I can live with that!!!

I'm just trying to figure out how a gay couple should be "normal"? and what do you mean by "advertizing" it?

And how can you disagree with their lifestyle? That doesn't make any sense. They love people of the same sex...that's the way it is...what is there to disagree with?

[dblea65]

Originally Posted by danwxman

I'm just trying to figure out how a gay couple should be "normal"? and what do you mean by "advertizing" it?

And how can you disagree with their lifestyle? That doesn't make any sense. They love people of the same sex...that's the way it is...what is there to disagree with?

In my Eyes a Gay couple can never be normal....
Advertizing it.... Flaunting it, try to make me accept it.
I disagree with it/Do not accept it, Will not be around it...

You say thats the way it is... For them yes, does not mean I have to welcome it, or support it...
I get sick of hearing they are people and have rights... That is corrrect, but should not get anything extra for being Gay...