How gay friendly is Kitsap county? (Seattle, Tacoma: 2009, rent, house)

[Bow Echo]

Hello,

We are planning to relocate to Kitsap County from the Midwest. We are a lesbian couple. We have two young, adopted children who have brown skin.

We recently did a tour with a realtor through Bremerton, Silverdale, Poulsbo, Port Orchard, Bainbridge Island, etc. We fell in love with the area (particularly Poulsbo). However, we are concerned as to how we and our children would be accepted by the community. Are there areas that are more tolerant than others? Are there areas that we should avoid?

We have no desire to live on the mainland although we will most likely commute to downtown Seattle which is fine.

We are happy, peace loving folks and are sad that we even have to ask this question in 2009, but we must keep our children safe and have to explore this topic before making our final decision. We would like to be in area where people treat each other with kindness, mutual respect and compassion regardless of political, philosphical or religous leanings.

We appreciate any insight or advice you have to offer.

[j_k_k]

Kitsap County is Navy country. Anchors aweigh, and all that. My best male friend in the world grew up in Bremerton in a Navy family, and he's gayer than a Village People convention--but growing up, he didn't ask and didn't tell, so to speak, and in fact didn't come out until he was in his 30s and living in Seattle. I doubt you'd be in physical danger--that's not really the style anywhere in Washington--but your family might be more comfortable in the suburbs of Seattle/Tacoma/Everett.

[LMB]

I'm going only by my impressions after living here for two years, but our neighborhood (intown Poulsbo) seems to be very accepting and inclusive. It's quite a friendly area, with all ages, some racial diversity, and at least one lesbian couple--however people around here in general also seem respectful of others' lifestyle and privacy. We don't have school-age children, so I can't give an opinion there, although I would hope they would be treated the same in school as other children (that said, in almost every school, there seems to be kids who bully other kids for a variety of reasons--or none at all). It's really hard to predict before living in a place, how any specific neighborhood, area or school may accept your family. There's only one way to do that, and that's by moving in, being good neighbors, getting involved with the school, and becoming part of the community. If there is intolerance in our neighborhood, I haven't witnessed it in the past two years. I'm familiar with most of our neighbors from being out & about walking our dog, but I can only think of two who are connected with the military--one is retired Navy and one is a civilian employee at Keyport. My advice would be to find a neighborhood you like, rent a house for a year, get involved, and give it a try.

Bainbridge Island would be a quicker commute to Seattle than Poulsbo, but the BI ferry dock is only a 15-20 min drive from here, so it's not too bad. Also, there are Park & Drive areas all over Poulsbo that a lot of commuters use. I have to admit, I wouldn't do the commute on a daily basis, but some people don't seem to mind.

Good luck in your search. I hope you find a welcoming, friendly community for your family just where you want to live.

Lynn

[pw72]

Western Washington in general doesn't care what you do in the bedroom. No worries.

[nwcountrygal]

I am answering on a 90's for the pennisula - Bermerton is pretty much Navy - Paulsbo more into the retirement but more small town red neck but sooo populated from Seattle today no idea...
too the most part no body really cares who what how you do it long as they can talk about how you do it ,,,,,,,,,,,,as any smaller town type community. I lived on Mt Rainier total red neck community for years actually saw stupidly cross burnt in a yard - lesibian couples didn't even cause a issue then. Somehow in WA for the most part gay couples really are not a big deal. Gals have it easier than guys but in todays times no big deal. Kids colors really are no big deal unless you make it one.

if you want total to question no problems community for the most part I would say Olympia

[nwcountrygal]

Ohhh re read your question coming from the midwest ! Sheeezzz pick your spot it is all good!!!!!!

[vette-dude]

Originally Posted by Bow Echo

Hello,

We are planning to relocate to Kitsap County from the Midwest. We are a lesbian couple. We have two young, adopted children who have brown skin.

We recently did a tour with a realtor through Bremerton, Silverdale, Poulsbo, Port Orchard, Bainbridge Island, etc. We fell in love with the area (particularly Poulsbo). However, we are concerned as to how we and our children would be accepted by the community. Are there areas that are more tolerant than others? Are there areas that we should avoid?

We have no desire to live on the mainland although we will most likely commute to downtown Seattle which is fine.

We are happy, peace loving folks and are sad that we even have to ask this question in 2009, but we must keep our children safe and have to explore this topic before making our final decision. We would like to be in area where people treat each other with kindness, mutual respect and compassion regardless of political, philosphical or religous leanings.

We appreciate any insight or advice you have to offer.

It is a military county, but besides that, what you do in the privacy of your home to the majority of ppl is your business....and it's a nice place to live....for all americans...alike..

[Bow Echo]

Actually the area of the Midwest that reside in is very tolerant and accepting.

[donboa]

As you are a couple with kids you might not have any problems anywhere. Bainbridge Island is for the rich and famous. There is a gay home on the shore of the island that flies the rainbow flag and you can see if from the ferry when going from Bremerton to Seattle.

The only problem with being gay in Kitsap county is that you are without much gay support or places to go for entertainment unless you want to travel to Seattle which I do at least once a week, but have just moved here from the hussle and bussel the city and don't want to move back, but do miss the scene although I was not really big into the gay scene in Seattle, but at least it was there if I wanted it.

[flxbl1]

Have you moved yet? I'm half of a lesbian couple living in Poulsbo! We have 3 children also. I moved here about 4 years ago and haven't had any problems at all around being gay. We are out at the kids schools and in the community. There happens to be 2 other gay families living on our country road!