Blacksburg, Gay Friendly (Roanoke, Charlottesville, Radford: home, unemployment, theatre)

[SweetPea1]

My partner is considering applying to VT for Fall of 2009. She is going to be a thrid year Architecture student. We currently live in a large city in California. We are bit nervous about the prospect of moving to such a small town. We don't flaunt being gay but we don't hide it either.

Can I get some insite from any locals in the area if we will encounter any problems. Thanks

[Diamond Dave]

Blacksburg is a very progressive town. I don't think you'll have any more problems in Blacksburg than you would anywhere else.

[sarahrachel]

I worked in Blacksburg for a year as a bank teller while I was in college and I think you'll feel pretty comfortable there. The owner of a local store was a daily regular at the bank and he was very openly gay and he seemed very much at home and very well accepted by the other local merchants. People in general seemed friendly and open during the time I was there!

[alice_61]

I think that you'd be fine here. Charlottesville seemed even better for lesbians; I knew quite a few there and they seemed to have a strong network. UVA also has a top Architecture school.

[LoveNRV1]

I actually grew up in Blacksburg - currently living in NYC due to work.
Bburg was always a super friendly place. I was fairly out in high school, back in the 80's
and never had a problem. Tons of good friends, who used to even accompany to one of
the gay clubs in Roanoke. VT has lots of gay students and faculty; particularly in the arts,
architecture, design, hospitality programs. The quality of life overall is great. And there are
pubs and restaurants where you'll see 'we' congregate in comfortable numbers. There are
a few student groups as well that might be of interest if you're looking for group gatherings.

Anecdotally, in October of 2010 I attended the Indigo Girls Show at The Lyric (a great art theatre downtown) and out of 900 in attendance, I'd say lesbians accounted for 500, the brothers about 100 and our straight commrades the balance of the crowd.

Outdoor Magazine rated Bburg a top 5 place to live for outdoor enthusiasts, multiple Forbes
and other surveys always rank it high for business, quality of life, retirees, etc...the landscape
is beautiful, the town and region basically bucked the recession with unemployment around 6%
vs. the US 9%. Radford University, Hollins, Roanoke College, the new Med School in Roanoke,
the Med School in Blacksburg, the Vet School and the University at large attract a VERY diverse population. Also, there is a ton of hi-tech research and corporate growth there which only ads to the mix. Downtown a new performing arts theatre (The Black Box) opened and VT is building a fantastic Center for the Arts which is setting a massive upgrade in motion to the downtown area. Good luck. Enjoy.

[roanoker 4]

Blacksburg is a highly educated and sophisticated town. I don't think there are gay hang-outs there, other than University oriented groups but Roanoke is closeby. Now, if you venture out in the rural areas of sw Va it is another story!
The commonwealth of Virginia sadly is one of the most homophobic states in the nation with very strict laws against Gay people in regards to marriage rights, anti-discrimination laws. Please be comfortable with those realities before coming here. Good Luck!