The truth please about homosexual in portland maine (Yarmouth, Freeport: home, movies)

[geographichappiness]

Dear Forum,

I asked the important questions about relocation to Portland in previous thread. This is simply a side question.
My intent here is purely informative in nature. I do not wish to instigate arguments or discussions on sexual orientation.
My wife and I are of the live and let live mentality.
However, in researching portland maine, we ran across numerous gay pride videos in portland on you tube, and portland maine always high ranking in various sexual orientation percentages as being very "gay friendly".
Put the legalized gay marriage in the mix, I have to ask; exactly how present is the gay population in portland maine? Does one see same sex couples holding hands and or making out on every corner? Would I see gay activity or openly gay looking people every time I leave my home?
Please do not judge me for this question, we are considering leaving a place that is predominant in one religion (see my previous post) and do not wish to enter another that is dominated by alternative sexual orientation lifestyle. Salt Lake City where we live now has quite a strong gay population, but there are about 200,000 citizens.
If portland's gay population is also very notable yet with a total population of only about 65,000, it could be very noticeable.

Thank you in advance for replies and I hope I did not offend anyone.

[Maineah]

Portland, like most areas these, days has a growing gay population. Maine's gay population is well established, somewhat older, and accepted by most. You will always have the people who hold hands because they care for each other and just enjoy expressing that feeling publically of not. There are also those who will kiss in public,some for the shock value ,and some out of pure affection. This behavior pertains to both gays and non-gays. It's not like there is a big display of buff gays running around Portland in leather chaps recruiting the unsuspecting tourists to join their ranks. People are people for the most part. You'll see more public displays of affection in areas where the gay community dominates and people feel more comfortable about their sexuality among their peers. Blue Hill and Ogunquit, and some other areas will be more open. If you have real trouble seeing gays touch each other I strongly suggest you steer clear of ANY city and find a home in the country somewhere. In that setting the chances of seeing anyone is remote to begin with.

[broadbill]

hoo boy-I don't see this thread lasting too long before its locked so I'll chime in real quick.

To answer your question: No, Portland doesn't have gay people making out on every corner although you may spot a gay couple holding hands and walking around Old Port every now and again. As the "Live and Let Live" sort of folks, you can appreciate the fact that they aren't hurting anyone and keeping to themselves for the most part. Despite what your impressions of Portland are from what you've seen on the interwebz, you won't have to avert your eyes too much in order to prevent yourself from seeing all of that over-the-top gayness.

[geographichappiness]

Originally Posted by Maineah

If you have real trouble seeing gays touch each other I strongly suggest you steer clear of ANY city and find a home in the country somewhere. In that setting the chances of seeing anyone is remote to begin with.

Thank you Maineah.
I do sense a little edginess in your reply, I was hoping my question and statement were soft and not condemning, I apologize if I was not successful in that. Again, to each their own.
I simply am asking a question, one that is in keeping with my family values, I beleve that is my right, just as it is the right of the gay population to have their values.
I must disagree with certain aspects of your comment though, I have lived in numerous metropolitan areas including So Cal and must say that I have never seen homosexuals kiss openly and display affection unless there was a gay event or like you say for shock value at night clubs and such.
What I do not like is open display of same sex orientation purely for the pride and promotion of this.
My question stands: if there are 30,000 persons of same sex orientation in a city of 300,000 people that is not significantly felt in all areas of city life, but if there are 10,000 persons in a population of 60,000 it is different. Predominance is felt. I am trying to avoid ANY kind of predominance of one alternative non traditional set of values over another, not only sexual orientation...

Respectfully,
interested person not wanting to offend

[Maine Writer]

Originally Posted by Maineah

If you have real trouble seeing gays touch each other I strongly suggest you steer clear of ANY city and find a home in the country somewhere. In that setting the chances of seeing anyone is remote to begin with.

Not so much anymore. I can think of five couples off the top of my head who live within 15 miles of me out here in the boonies. There are probably others that I don't realize are gay. I think Maine in general is a very accepting, open-minded state.

[maja]

We do not live in Maine, yet. (We are planning our move for next month from California!) But, we have visited several times and spent quite a bit of time exploring Southern, coastal Maine, like you, trying to determine if it would be a good place to raise our family. We have stayed in Portland, Freeport/Yarmouth and Ogunquit. I don't recall ever seeing any overt displays of affection by homo or heterosexuals. People were just kind of going along taking care of their personal business. Other than the normal, occassional sightings downtown of a few young, punker, spiked hair kids doing their adolescent rebellious thing, the population seemed like decent, ordinary folks with no apparent need to flaunt anything. We voted it a good place to raise our children. Hope we're correct, cause we're making a BIG move! Good Luck with your search! (I would recommend visiting before making a move. Virgin Airways has/had a $79/one way fare coast to coast, with incredible amenities like WiFi connection, individual touch screen games, t.v., movies & menu selection when you want it as well as friendly - yes friendly, flight attendents like I haven't seen in 20 years!!! Sorry. Got carried away, but I just can't say enough good things about this airlines.) Anyway, best of luck to you. HTH!

[bbb3601]

We visited Portland during our last trip, and while we did see some same sex PDA I didn't find it offending at all, but we currently live in Columbus, Ohio. That being said I would rather see a hug or a kiss from a same sex couple in public than a hetero couple practically going at it on a park bench or a restaurant booth like I did see in Portland. Live and let live.

[broadbill]

Originally Posted by geographichappiness

My question stands: if there are 30,000 persons of same sex orientation in a city of 300,000 people that is not significantly felt in all areas of city life, but if there are 10,000 persons in a population of 60,000 it is different. Predominance is felt. I am trying to avoid ANY kind of predominance of one alternative non traditional set of values over another, not only sexual orientation...

What you are talking about is a different of 10% versus 17%....do you really think that a difference of 7% means "predominance"? I don't.

Truthfully, I think you would be hard pressed to be able to detect this 7% difference in the number of gay people between city #1 and city #2....even if 100% of them were engaging in overt, public displays of homosexual activity all at the same time (realistically, they wouldn't be).

The edginess you are picking up on isn't so much about you offending us with your thoughts/views so much is that your particular mindset really goes against the grain of New England/Yankee tradition of "minding your own d*mn business". I may not like what my neighbor does, and they might not like how I live my life, but as long as were not hurting/bothering each other then its all OK.

I think because of this tradition, you may find the East Coast a bit of a culture shock...it ain't Salt Lake!

You said that you were the "live and let live" type of folks but I don't believe it for a second. You really should come out and see how the pros do it

good luck! (I think you are gonna need it)

[diablogun]

Originally Posted by broadbill

hoo boy-i don't see this thread lasting too long before its locked so i'll chime in real quick:d.

To answer your question: No, portland doesn't have gay people making out on every corner although you may spot a gay couple holding hands and walking around old port every now and again. As the "live and let live" sort of folks, you can appreciate the fact that they aren't hurting anyone and keeping to themselves for the most part. Despite what your impressions of portland are from what you've seen on the interwebz, you won't have to avert your eyes too much in order to prevent yourself from seeing all of that over-the-top gayness.

lol

[diablogun]

Originally Posted by geographichappiness

Thank you Maineah.
I do sense a little edginess in your reply, I was hoping my question and statement were soft and not condemning, I apologize if I was not successful in that. Again, to each their own.
I simply am asking a question, one that is in keeping with my family values, I beleve that is my right, just as it is the right of the gay population to have their values.
I must disagree with certain aspects of your comment though, I have lived in numerous metropolitan areas including So Cal and must say that I have never seen homosexuals kiss openly and display affection unless there was a gay event or like you say for shock value at night clubs and such.
What I do not like is open display of same sex orientation purely for the pride and promotion of this.
My question stands: if there are 30,000 persons of same sex orientation in a city of 300,000 people that is not significantly felt in all areas of city life, but if there are 10,000 persons in a population of 60,000 it is different. Predominance is felt. I am trying to avoid ANY kind of predominance of one alternative non traditional set of values over another, not only sexual orientation...

Respectfully,
interested person not wanting to offend

You came to the wrong place to ask honest questions on this forum concerning homosexuality; the reality is that the gay folks will be quick to attempt to denigrate anything you say if they sense you do not openly champion their gay causes.

However, I work in Portland and can tell you that although one may see some occasional gayness permeating the air, for the most part they keep their acts of "affection" to themselves. Make sure you lock up your valuables in your car however, because I saw another car's smashed window this morning :-)