Denver vs. Phoenix (Gilbert, Flagstaff: environment, job, homes)

[fcorrales80]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

Read this carefully, fcorrales. The poster who wrote that is also Hispanic. Looks like the same kinds of negative experiences you found in Denver have happened in Phoenix too, as well as other southwest cities (Albuquerque). Once you leave your little Central Phoenix bubble between the 7's, Phoenix can start looking like a vastly different place too.

And I hope you don't believe that post because it is obviously inflammatory and sensassionalist! He was starred at, pointed to, and laughed at in Phoenix for being Hispanic? Are you serious? And by Elmer Fudd looking individuals? LOL, that is classic and smells like a cow pasture. If anyone believes his post they are gullible. Phoenix has many gay communities and clubs throughout the region:

Phoenix Gay Bars - GayCities Phoenix

Many of these clubs are in areas where people would not assume gays would be comfortable, like 12st. and McDowell, or 20 St. and McDowell in largely low income Latino neighborhoods, but its actually very friendly and no problems happen around these clubs. Straight people from the area actually come to the clubs because some gay bars/clubs are known for good music and much cheaper drinks compared to straight bars/clubs.

Also, Alburqurque and New Mexico is a mostly hispanic city and state. The 1 million people who live there are mostly of Hispanic background, the state governor is Mexican-American, and Alb's city government and police force is populated with Hispanic people.

Gays in Phoenix live in many regions of the Valley and not only "between the 7's" as you try to stereotype our community. I know at least 50 couples, and acquainted with many more who live in the West Valley (Avondale, Surprise, Goodyear, and Extreme S.W. Phoenix, 83rd & 99th Ave.) and North Phoenix and never have a problem, know their neighbors, and have bbq's and such with their friends all the time...and the neighbors attend as well. I know there has been one case in Scottsdale involving a gay couple within the last two years and it happened outside of a steak house. Anderson's (a one time straight bar/club) also had an issue, but read this:

Quoted from AZRepublic,
Uproar turns straight bar into gay hot spot

by Megan Finnerty - May. 10, 2008 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic

On a recent Saturday night at the Scottsdale club Forbidden, well-dressed, sweaty men are three-deep at the bar and fill the red, glittery dance floor. Outside, the line snakes up the block and the wait can run more than an hour.
For 25 years, this was Anderson's Fifth Estate, a rock and new wave dance club. But a year after resolving a highly publicized battle with the transgender community, owner Tom Anderson has transformed Forbidden into the Valley's premier club for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.

New pink lights now edge the roofline, casting a flattering glow on the overflowing patio. Inside, the red and black zebra-covered booths are jammed with men in T-shirts that pull across their muscled chests. Equally muscled shirtless bartenders shake martinis with names such as the Swedish Lick and Naked Poolside.
In jeans and with purposefully mussy hair Bryan Dockter, 24, of Mesa, once waited for 30 minutes before someone let him cut to get in early. He figures he would have been in line for another hour.
"It's my favorite place to go," he said.

Tempe's David Lowrimore, 21, said he doesn't care about the controversy. Forbidden is the place to be right now.
"I actually think it's brave they tried a gay bar because they're straight owners," he says, "and they did a great job."
Lines rarely formed at the former Anderson's, which had been declining since its late-'90s heyday.
Then in 2006, Anderson asked a transgendered woman, Michele de LaFreniere, to leave his club after women complained about men in dresses standing up to use toilets in the women's restroom. De LaFreniere, who had been to the club many times without incident, then filed a claim of sex discrimination with the Arizona attorney general.
For more than a year afterward, Anderson was the subject of dozens of newspaper and television stories pitting him against the GLBT community and its allies. He became known as the club owner who kicked out a transgendered woman.

This happened as people were questioning whether Scottsdale was becoming hostile toward the GLBT community, after a gay couple was assaulted outside a restaurant and after Mayor Mary Manross refused to observe GLBT month in June, instead, proclaiming it to be Human Relations Diversity Observance month. Anderson, who owns the club with his wife, Roberta, resolved the dispute in November 2007 by building a gender-neutral restroom.
Anderson said that during the controversy over the discrimination complaint he met with members of the GLBT community. One of the things he learned was how underserved the community was in Scottsdale, with only one bar, BS West, in the area. Anderson said he saw both a business opportunity and a chance to be part of a community he'd come to know and enjoy.

The Andersons reopened the club as Forbidden in December, a month after the resolution. The 5,500-square foot club can hold 325 people and is open five days a week, up from three when it was Anderson's Fifth Estate. Now, more than 700 people come through on Fridays and Saturdays each, more than double what Fridays used to draw.
Wearing elaborate black eyeliner and long curls, Vanessa Jimenez, 29, frequently drives from Glendale to dance with her friends to the Black Eyed Peas' My Humps and Cyndi Lauper's Girls Just Want to Have Fun. "I came one Saturday and I just had a blast, so I've been back ever since," she says.

Anderson, who now counts de LaFreniere as a close friend, said he's relieved the gay community has embraced the club.

"I had woken up several times at 3 or 4 a.m.," he said, "just hoping I was making the right move." De LaFreniere, a parks department employee from Scottsdale, has been several times and says she's impressed by Anderson's commitment to the GLBT community. Forbidden has hosted events for several gay organizations, sponsored a float in Phoenix's Pride parade in April, and will be the site of an upcoming transgender fundraiser.
On a recent night, de LaFreniere danced in her favorite spot, by the speakers to the right of the stage, and said it felt like coming home.

"I'd always loved dancing there, before everything, and I just started crying; it just brought back all my good memories," she said.

Sam Holdren, public affairs director of Phoenix-based Equality Arizona, the group that helped mediate the agreement between de LaFreniere and Anderson, said he's not surprised at the GLBT community's enthusiasm.
"This is really the perfect ending to the story," he said. "This is really what happens when people come together to learn from each other."

[Comedy]

I grew up in Colorado, and I have been in Colorado for about 20 years. I spent 7 years in Scottsdale, Tempe, and Phoenix, and let me tell you I am homesick. There is no Kierland Commons in Denevr where you can go to a wine bar and just unwind under the misters. Weather is a non issue for me. You know what your getting into when you move. Its hot, turn on the AC, chill in the pool, and stay cool. May has sputtering 100 degree days. By June your in full swing, and by September the temp is going back down. What big even has Denver hel the DNC, and a couple NBA All Star games. Phoenix has Super Bowls, NCAA Football Championship games, Spring Training. Screw mowing my lawn, if I want that feeling I'll go push rocks around. Now I currently live in CO, but thats because the people here are not all that bright and I am going to make some money off them to move away for good. My wife is from Phoenix and she grew up with no clouds, and she wants some now. But if I had my way I would be living in the gated community of McDowell Mountain. I also have seen celebs and a ton of sport celebs. If you want a good opinion about Phoenix go downtown to Majerles and ask Dan how great it is, or go hang out in Northe Scottsdale and if you run into Barkley, who flies to Atlanta to work for TNT and resides in Scottsdale. You could ask Jordan why he has 2 homes there. Ask Randy Johnson why he is back in the Valley. Are there not better places rediculously wealthy people could spend there money and live and enjoy life? Nope. F Denver, F Colorado. Its a vacation destination, period. I can't spend another year here, so if you have the opportunity to live ing the Valley of the Fun and SUN, I am jealous and I will live vicareously through you.

[sberdrow]

Originally Posted by Comedy

I grew up in Colorado, and I have been in Colorado for about 20 years. I spent 7 years in Scottsdale, Tempe, and Phoenix, and let me tell you I am homesick. There is no Kierland Commons in Denevr where you can go to a wine bar and just unwind under the misters. Weather is a non issue for me. You know what your getting into when you move. Its hot, turn on the AC, chill in the pool, and stay cool. May has sputtering 100 degree days. By June your in full swing, and by September the temp is going back down. What big even has Denver hel the DNC, and a couple NBA All Star games. Phoenix has Super Bowls, NCAA Football Championship games, Spring Training. Screw mowing my lawn, if I want that feeling I'll go push rocks around. Now I currently live in CO, but thats because the people here are not all that bright and I am going to make some money off them to move away for good. My wife is from Phoenix and she grew up with no clouds, and she wants some now. But if I had my way I would be living in the gated community of McDowell Mountain. I also have seen celebs and a ton of sport celebs. If you want a good opinion about Phoenix go downtown to Majerles and ask Dan how great it is, or go hang out in Northe Scottsdale and if you run into Barkley, who flies to Atlanta to work for TNT and resides in Scottsdale. You could ask Jordan why he has 2 homes there. Ask Randy Johnson why he is back in the Valley. Are there not better places rediculously wealthy people could spend there money and live and enjoy life? Nope. F Denver, F Colorado. Its a vacation destination, period. I can't spend another year here, so if you have the opportunity to live ing the Valley of the Fun and SUN, I am jealous and I will live vicareously through you.

wow, great post....I think I like it even more now

[azriverfan.]

I know a lot of people from Colorado who attended medical school with me. When they first got to school, all they could do was rave about Colorado. However, as they remained in California for 4 years, the idea of moving back to Colorado was not even an option. They couldn't go back there because it was too conservative for them. Being on the west coast opened their eyes. Most of them either stayed in California, moved to Phoenix or went to the East Coast but none of them moved back to Colorado. It's not southern in terms of it's culture but they have the same mentality and its' similar to Texas. They are isolated and only know Colorado and love it as if it is its own country.

[Comedy]

Phoenix has some of the best hotels/resorts in the country, which I worked at ie Hyatt at Gainey Ranch, Fairmont Princess (PGA tour site), Westin Kierland where the LA Dodgers, and Patriots stay. Downtown Hyatt wich has a rotating restaurant on the roof. Both Westins here are a joke. LODO is lame. Goto downtown Phoenix where United Ariways and Chase field are. Hell I was dancing at club 9 right next to Shawn Marion the Matrix. For thos of you who don't know him He used to be a Phoenix Sun, Now he plays for the Miami Heat.

[Comedy]

If you have to move here and can afford it live in Boulder. If you can't afford Boulder try Longmont. The people here drive me nuts but your 45 min from downtown Denver, Estes Park/RNP, 15 min from Boulder, and dare I say Longmont has the BEST view of the mountains.

[sberdrow]

Originally Posted by Comedy

If you have to move here and can afford it live in Boulder. If you can't afford Boulder try Longmont. The people here drive me nuts but your 45 min from downtown Denver, Estes Park/RNP, 15 min from Boulder, and dare I say Longmont has the BEST view of the mountains.

Longmont seemed very depressed to me. I used to work for the TMOBIL there. Nice view of mountains though, as you say.

[Mike78613]

Originally Posted by Comedy

Are there not better places rediculously wealthy people could spend there money and live and enjoy life? Nope. F Denver, F Colorado. Its a vacation destination, period. I can't spend another year here, so if you have the opportunity to live ing the Valley of the Fun and SUN, I am jealous and I will live vicareously through you.

Seems like CO is not cooling you off

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by Comedy

If you have to move here and can afford it live in Boulder. If you can't afford Boulder try Longmont. The people here drive me nuts but your 45 min from downtown Denver, Estes Park/RNP, 15 min from Boulder, and dare I say Longmont has the BEST view of the mountains.

If I had to live in Colorado, I would live in Boulder. Even downtown Denver feels way more conservative than Phoenix.

[Beena]

Comedy, great post. Could not agree more!!!