Liberals in Tulsa? (Stillwater, Tahlequah, Clinton: college, living, shops)

[swake]

Originally Posted by bawac34618

Tulsa is the most liberal part of Oklahoma so you should be able to find like-minded people. However, the overwhelming culture of the state is very conservative and very fundamentalist (particularly Baptist). If you live in central Tulsa, which is a more liberal area, you will be insulated from some of it but it will in no way be California or even another, more liberal red state.

The state government is virulently anti-LGBT and marijuana probably won't be legal here for another 30 years or more. In fact, Oklahoma hasn't fully moved past alcohol prohibition yet (want a beer after 9PM? You'll have to settle for watered down 3.2 beer because apparently that's all Jesus approved of). Atheists can get by here but be prepared to have religion shoved in your face constantly as it's an all-encompassing part of the culture and politics here, though Tulsa isn't quite as bad about this as OKC.

In a nutshell is yes, you should be able to get by here and meet like-minded individuals. If that is good enough for you and you don't mind living in an ultra-right wing culture, then Oklahoma might work for you. If you need to be in a "liberal" or even "moderate" overall culture I would look anywhere else. Tulsa is a nice town but unfortunately it is in a state that wants to be a Christian version of Iran.



Regardless of voting patterns, Oklahoma City is a good deal more evangelical/fundamentalist than Tulsa and it shows in the overall culture. Even if it isn't, Tulsa "feels" more liberal for this reason.

I don’t get the whole “religion” shoved in your face idea. I have no idea what religion, if any, my coworkers practice. That’s a little less true with neighbors but still I don’t know what religion most of them are. I can tell you that most of my neighbors are still home on Sunday mornings and that’s in very conservative Jenks. I could not tell you the last time I was asked what religion I am or what church I go to, I have been asked that before but rarely and it’s been several years at least. I have never had someone ask me to visit their church. So I wouldn’t say it’s shoved in your face. As for what religion people are that I know of, here in Tulsa the number of Methodists and Presbyterians is not that far behind Baptist.

As for liquor and pot. Liquor reform has already been passed so 3.2 beer will soon be a thing of the past. Over the next 18 months the new laws will take effect so that beer and now wine will be sold in grocery and convenience stores. Liquor stores will be open later and be able to sell more items. A referendum for medical marijuana has already been approved and will be voted on with the next national election next year. Current polls show it will pass.

LGBT issues are a problem. Tulsa and Oklahoma City among others have passed protections for LGBT citizens but we have some very strange, mostly rural, legislators that are pushing bills to stop cities from banning discrimination and even to codify allowing discrimination. These are the same kinds of bills that have been passed in Indiana, North Carolina and Texas. So far over the years these bills have been quietly killed and have never become law here. I am hopeful that this will be the case again this year, but you never know with our insane legislature.

[Oklahomagirl74]

Originally Posted by stiffnecked

Hopefully by moving to Oklahoma you'll find out how messed up your liberal values really are. You should feel blessed to be moving to an ultra-conservative town like Tulsa. It is the home of Oral Roberts University and there are tons of good wholesome Christian radio stations to listen too. Good luck and be blessed!

Good Lord! this is the reason so many liberals can't stand you ultra conservatives! always preaching about how your way is better!


Tulsa is NOT ultra conservative. Tulsa is about the most liberal place you will find in OK. That being said, you'll still be in the minority. But take it from me, a Libertarian in Tulsa, you are welcome here and you will find a community of people. Just stay away from the likes of "stiffnecked"

[StillwaterTownie]

Originally Posted by stiffnecked

Hopefully by moving to Oklahoma you'll find out how messed up your liberal values really are. You should feel blessed to be moving to an ultra-conservative town like Tulsa. It is the home of Oral Roberts University and there are tons of good wholesome Christian radio stations to listen too. Good luck and be blessed!

As a Christian, I can't take much pride in Oral Roberts. He took many millions from people to build a great, towering hospital complex, because he thought people would come from all over the world in order to get healed. But so few came the hospital had to close. His oldest son shot himself dead, supposedly over being gay. His other son, Richard, got thrown out as president of the university over corruption. So I find Christian conservative values terribly messed up.

Some of those Christian radio stations are obsessed with preaching against gays and abortion much of the time. I find that messed up as well as uninspiring. Preach JESUS!

[KayneMo]

Originally Posted by Kim EE

My husband just landed a job in Tulsa (his home town) and we will be relocating there soon. As a life long Californian I am quite freaked out with the idea of moving to this part of the country—particularly in this political climate. We are not religious and do not support the current political agenda. Will we find like minded people in Tulsa? Am I freaking out for no reason? (of course there are good people everywhere). But moving to Trump USA now? Where will I find a new community?? I am a hippy girl from Northern California who enjoys mountain biking, yoga, hiking and dancing to good music!

I think you'll find many like-minded people in Tulsa. I'm liberal and not religious and am quite happy living in OKC.

[Howest2008]

Originally Posted by Kim EE

My husband just landed a job in Tulsa (his home town) and we will be relocating there soon. As a life long Californian I am quite freaked out with the idea of moving to this part of the country—particularly in this political climate. We are not religious and do not support the current political agenda. Will we find like minded people in Tulsa? Am I freaking out for no reason? (of course there are good people everywhere). But moving to Trump USA now? Where will I find a new community?? I am a hippy girl from Northern California who enjoys mountain biking, yoga, hiking and dancing to good music!

Oklacalifornian howest2008 At Your Service.....

1. First thing you do when you arrive in Tulsa Oklahoma is Google Tulsa Oklahoma hippies.

2. Tulsa oklahoma hippies will be found at head shops

3. Go to vintage clothing stores and antique shops major hang out for Tulsa Oklahoma hippies...

4. Tulsa Oklahoma had one world-class independent music venue in town named the Cain's Ballroom go there because it would be hippies CENTRAL.. here in tulsa oklahoma

5. I am a 65 years young fanatical Christian now , at the moment , and have lived everything and done everything that you could ever possibly imagine , I have come to the conclusion that Jesus is the ANSWER... maybe you two can meet him in the next 50 years before you check out of HOTEL PLANET EARTH... Any JESUS Freaks out there in tulsa oklahoma?!?!?!?!?!

6. Every time that I go back home to Tulsa Oklahoma which I call T.O. Southwest hip people walk up to me and start talking to me and hang out with me All Day...I guess hip recognize hip.....

The last time I was out that way to Tulsa I met a white Caucasian hippie guy that played in a rock and roll band that.... walked up to me and start talking to me out of the blue... we hung out together all day....

I also met an Asian American Woman We Road a city bus across town and talked all day about everything under the sun and moon.... if you are anything like me you shouldn't have a problem in Tulsa Oklahoma.....

I am on a smartphone now Android and I can't leave any hyperlinks to the places to hang out in tulsa so I will do that later once I get my hands on a laptop or a desktop.....CHOW....

[Wyllyam]

Originally Posted by stiffnecked

Hopefully by moving to Oklahoma you'll find out how messed up your liberal values really are

Kim EE,
...and there it is. This is the prevailing attitude, and you can pretend it doesn't exist, but it's very, very intrusive into work and social life.

To be fair, the culture-shock is probably the same that a super-conservative evangelical person moving to someplace like Portland would feel. It's just going to be the opposite of what you have ever known, and they will consider you "wrong". You will be the one expected to always apologize. Can your marriage and family take the stress?

I'm not being sarcastic or melodramatic. Yes, there are progressives here, but it mostly means living underground.

Actual conversation at my office (just an ordinary office with cubicles) which happened over the wall from me last month:
Boss: How many of you ladies carry? (A gun).
Group of 3 Employees all raise hands.
Boss: Good girls!

I do not agree or disagree with anyone's opinions, I'm simply saying this is life here. Yes, yes, yes, good cost of living, hunting and fishing, etc., etc. The fact remains that people will be very forward about their beliefs, with absolutely no thought that you might not agree. It is best to develop a thick skin. They will curse Democrats/Liberals in front of you without any idea what you believe, as 90% of people feel the same way they do.

I live in a Tulsa suburb. We regularly have pickups honking and driving through town with huge Confederate flags flying off poles in the bed in a display of...something. Again, just understand, this is going to be an alien culture for you.

Another example:
While standing in line at the primaries, there were two sign-in books. One R, and one for D and I. Of course, the line went out the building, and in order to speed things up they called for all the D and I voters to get out of the main line and come up to the front, thereby "outing" everyone. We endured sneers, jeers, and names like "Commie!" for the entire walk.

So, before the inevitable posts of "so why don't you move away already" I will wrap up by saying that the economy is good all over, so be really sure you are picking the right situation. If you do decide it's worth it, there is a small influx of transplants, and they are very friendly and stick together.

[bawac34618]

^^^ Wyllyam is correct.

You make a good assessment about the culture shock. Oklahoma is the right-wing counterpart to liberal meccas like San Francisco, Berkeley, Portland, etc. It's not very live and let live if you go against the grain in any way. You have to have thick skin to be a progressive here.

I have a few friends who I can discuss my political beliefs with, but I cannot be open about my sexuality here. I have a goal of finding a way to move before Trump's first term is over.

Edit: I do believe this applies to the state as a whole moreso than Tulsa itself. I've heard Tulsa has a pretty liberal urban core. I haven't spent much time there however, so I am not sure how true that is.

[StillwaterTownie]

Originally Posted by Howest2008

Oklacalifornian howest2008 At Your Service.....

1. First thing you do when you arrive in Tulsa Oklahoma is Google Tulsa Oklahoma hippies.

2. Tulsa oklahoma hippies will be found at head shops

3. Go to vintage clothing stores and antique shops major hang out for Tulsa Oklahoma hippies...

Right. Tulsa has a reputation as being more hippy.

[okie1962]

Originally Posted by stiffnecked

Hopefully by moving to Oklahoma you'll find out how messed up your liberal values really are. You should feel blessed to be moving to an ultra-conservative town like Tulsa. It is the home of Oral Roberts University and there are tons of good wholesome Christian radio stations to listen too. Good luck and be blessed!

If Oklahoma is that great, then why did you move.

[okie1962]

If you're liberal or even middle of the road I wouldn't move here, you and your family will be absolutely miserable. You will find way too many Rush Limbaugh and Shawn Hanity want to be's. People will think you're a big ole backwards thinking bible thumpers like them. Every business has their TVs tuned to Fox News, you can just see the stupidity in everyone's eyes.