Gay couple with kids thinking about moving to Austin... BIG QUESTIONS! (Round Rock: real estate, rentals)

[OpenD]

Texas is conservative, yes, but as Jerry Jeff Walker famously said many years ago,

"Austin is the easternmost city in California."

[Westerner92]

Originally Posted by EzPeterson

Believe me, two guys and 3 kids piling out of an SUV may not even register.

This, most likely. I've held hands with former boyfriends around town and never had a problem. There's not a very cohesive gay scene because, as far as I can tell, it's never been enough of an issue in Austin for LGBT people to feel the need to segregate into a different scene. Living up to the stereotype of being into gentrification, a disproportionate amount of the gay guys I know are in East Austin, though. Gay families are a rarity here I'd say, but two men with kids going to the mall wouldn't bat an eye. I could see the whole "I have two dads" thing possibly being an issue for your kids, unfortunately.

It'll be at least a decade or two before gay marriage will even come up in lawmakers' conversations. You'll find that Texas has a ton of conservatives that really aren't that judgmental. They're just so committed to their traditions and fiscal ideals to the point that they elect caricatures. The centers of the major cities are somewhat welcoming, the Austin suburbs live-and-let-live, the Houston and Dallas suburbs fairly diverse and generally not too judgmental. That covers a majority of the Texas' population, but that still leaves plenty of people that won't be very understanding. Though even in the rural areas, I can't imagine any open hostility unless you run into the occasional drunkard or ******* redneck.

[sheaday]

Originally Posted by EzPeterson

What part of "hardly anyone is going to notice" is missing? You won't be the only gay family - hell, Austin tried to elect a cross-dressing homeless guy mayor, there's a few guys that do yoga in g-strings at Zilker, every now and then you'll find people riding through town on a horse or a longhorn. Believe me, two guys and 3 kids piling out of an SUV may not even register.

To some people theres a different acceptance of "oh look at that cooky guy cross dressing" vs. gay parents living in the suburbs.

I know a 2 gay men who moved from California with a one year old at the time to Avery Ranch. They loved the area and big home but just felt out of place. They ended up selling their house and buying a 2/2 condo downtown and love it. They arent sure where they'll send their kid to school yet when its time.

Yes Austin is tolerant but dont think no one would ever give you a second glance, because some people will. I speak from my experiences of being in an interracial marriage.

[PrimusPilus]

I am not gay but my neighbor is. And what a neighbor. They're always helpful and cheerful. They even trimmed my tree when I was out of town! Our neighborhood is very friendly and tolerant. You're very welcome in our neighborhood. Of course, there might be individual pockets here and there but I doubt any other city in TX would be more gay-friendly.

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by gayinaustin

That's all good and well to say. But the reality is when you see two gay men with three kids get out of an suv it's hard not to notice. I like the whole idea of live and let live. But the reality is that is so not true. My neighbors let me live. But, they don't like me! The only reason they don't like me is because we are gay. Why do I know this to be true. This came straight from the horses mouth... or should I say asses mouth.

I guess I'm looking for acceptance and not tolerance!

If I saw two men and three kids get out of an suv I would never assume they are gay, unless they were wearing rainbow flags or something like that.

[Zepheyr]

Originally Posted by CptnRn

If I saw two men and three kids get out of an suv I would never assume they are gay, unless they were wearing rainbow flags or something like that.

Yes that's exactly what I was thinking. I'd assume they were just two heterosexual dads taking their kids out as a group.

[love roses]

Originally Posted by PrimusPilus

I am not gay but my neighbor is. And what a neighbor. They're always helpful and cheerful. They even trimmed my tree when I was out of town! Our neighborhood is very friendly and tolerant. You're very welcome in our neighborhood. Of course, there might be individual pockets here and there but I doubt any other city in TX would be more gay-friendly.

Said like someone who never got to know Houston or Dallas very well.

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by Zepheyr

Yes that's exactly what I was thinking. I'd assume they were just two heterosexual dads taking their kids out as a group.

And their sexual preferences one way or the other wouldn't cross my mind at all - it's just not relevant.

[janejanejanejanejane]

Not gay here, but if I noticed yall I would be like "I wish I could hang out with them" cause I think this is great.
I think you need to visit here first. It gets hot as hell here. You're already used to drought, so that won't be anything new. I would get in as close to the city as you could..I would not go into the burbs really. It's not that they are bad, but I think you would find more judgement there.No matter where you go, you are going to find people who will judge you. You can't find a city on the planet that won't and it's going to be that way for a long time before people realize it's time to stop.

[TXEX06]

Originally Posted by PrimusPilus

I am not gay but my neighbor is. And what a neighbor. They're always helpful and cheerful. They even trimmed my tree when I was out of town! Our neighborhood is very friendly and tolerant. You're very welcome in our neighborhood. Of course, there might be individual pockets here and there but I doubt any other city in TX would be more gay-friendly.

San Antonio is always ranked above Austin as a top place for gay couples to raise a family. I don't think the OP could go wrong with any major city in Texas.