Attitude/Views of the Tampa Majority (Brandon, Sarasota: appointed, neighborhoods, to live in)

[mccampbell3]

Hi All,
Another question while pondering the move to Tampa: is it more liberal/progressive thinking as far as social issues go?

I only ask because I currently live in a fairly progressive area (Chicago suburbs) and really DO NOT want to live in a place that is predominantly intolerant of:
- gays
- non-Caucasian races (mixed relationships, etc)
- various religions
- etc.

Would you say the Tampa area is pretty progressive in this manner, or should I focus my search elsewhere? (Yes, I know that there are always people on both sides of the equation, but I don't want to live somewhere where if a gay person "comes out," the community judges them on that, or the community looks down on inter-ratial couples, or different faiths.)

[cheerbaby112]

It all depends on where in Tampa you live..

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by mccampbell3

Hi All,
Another question while pondering the move to Tampa: is it more liberal/progressive thinking as far as social issues go?

I only ask because I currently live in a fairly progressive area (Chicago suburbs) and really DO NOT want to live in a place that is predominantly intolerant of:
- gays
- non-Caucasian races (mixed relationships, etc)
- various religions
- etc.

Would you say the Tampa area is pretty progressive in this manner, or should I focus my search elsewhere? (Yes, I know that there are always people on both sides of the equation, but I don't want to live somewhere where if a gay person "comes out," the community judges them on that, or the community looks down on inter-ratial couples, or different faiths.)

Overall it is pretty much live-and-let-live in most of Tampa. There is a lot of diversity here, people from all kinds of ethnic backgrounds lots of Latino, Afro and others, there are no major issues there. Tampa has ALWAYS been a melting pot, going back 100 years or more. There are a lot of gay neighborhoods too, a big one is in Ybor City (nicknamed Gaybor now) and another in Seminole Heights. Many other gays/lesbians just live in whatever neighborhood they like.

Hope this helps.

[Keeper]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

Overall it is pretty much live-and-let-live in most of Tampa. There is a lot of diversity here, people from all kinds of ethnic backgrounds lots of Latino, Afro and others, there are no major issues there. Tampa has ALWAYS been a melting pot, going back 100 years or more. There are a lot of gay neighborhoods too, a big one is in Ybor City (nicknamed Gaybor now) and another in Seminole Heights. Many other gays/lesbians just live in whatever neighborhood they like.

Hope this helps.

Gypsychic has it right. Tampa is a melting pot and most ppl do not care about your private life. That being said, most gays are discreet when out in public.

[BucFan]

Politically, I'd say the area is right wing conservative if that helps you any. Sarasota and St Pete seem to be gay friendly (St Pete recently had a big gay pride parade). There's a big rebel flag that flies just off of I 75 near Brandon. Tampa isn't a liberal city - more conservative.

[englishphd]

In my opinion, Tampa seems a bit more progressive than St. Pete or other communities in the Bay area, but that doesn't say much. I am a Black man who was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago and I have to say that there ain't no place like home. To be very frank with you, my experiences here during the past eight years have made me short-tempered, impatient, and left me shaking my head in disbelief. Sometimes it is like stepping back in time 40-50 years when you listen and engage in conversations with some of the residents. Are there progressive and tolerant folks here? Absolutely, but sometimes they are overshadowed by the blatantly intolerant.

I am also in an interracial relationship which doesn't seem to be such a big deal for the young residents, but we still get NASTY looks from some of the older residents (No new South here). But even if interracial relationships are common, there still seems to be a division between Af-Am and Whites that may never go away. This division is seen through some of the comments that have been made to me and about my dissimilar characteristics from Black males who are seen as native Floridians. It can also be seen in St. Pete through the very distinctive line of demarcation they call Central Ave.

As far as gays are concerned, I am not that familiar with their experiences to comment fairly. What I can speak to is that my few encounters with some locals were not very tolerate of the diversity that gays may bring to the community or region. Lots of Bible thumping on this subject matter.

I am not aware of what suburb you are moving from, but please don't expect anything remotely similar Wrigleyville, Lakeview, Rogers Park, Bronzeville, or Chatham.

[dk22]

Originally Posted by englishphd

In my opinion, Tampa seems a bit more progressive than St. Pete or other communities in the Bay area, but that doesn't say much. I am a Black man who was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago and I have to say that there ain't no place like home. To be very frank with you, my experiences here during the past eight years have made me short-tempered, impatient, and left me shaking my head in disbelief. Sometimes it is like stepping back in time 40-50 years when you listen and engage in conversations with some of the residents. Are there progressive and tolerant folks here? Absolutely, but sometimes they are overshadowed by the blatantly intolerant.

I am also in an interracial relationship which doesn't seem to be such a big deal for the young residents, but we still get NASTY looks from some of the older residents (No new South here). But even if interracial relationships are common, there still seems to be a division between Af-Am and Whites that may never go away. This division is seen through some of the comments that have been made to me and about my dissimilar characteristics from Black males who are seen as native Floridians. It can also be seen in St. Pete through the very distinctive line of demarcation they call Central Ave.

As far as gays are concerned, I am not that familiar with their experiences to comment fairly. What I can speak to is that my few encounters with some locals were not very tolerate of the diversity that gays may bring to the community or region. Lots of Bible thumping on this subject matter.

I am not aware of what suburb you are moving from, but please don't expect anything remotely similar Wrigleyville, Lakeview, Rogers Park, Bronzeville, or Chatham.

I think South Florida is more suited to what you're looking for. You're probably like most of the people in this world who is fiscally conservative and socially liberal. I've given the Tampa Bay area many years and it has disappointed me in many ways with jobs and culturally. I only visit because my best friend works there and my family still lives there.

[ferret111]

Tampa (within the city limits) seems slightly more progressive than Hillsborough County.

[vaughanwilliams]

There are a lot of forward thinking people in Tampa Bay, but all and all, still pretty conservative. Having said that, Tampa Bay is still the best place I've lived in Florida.

[matt_sfl]

There are a lot of blue collar conservatives here. You get the worst of both with them.