Eureka---any information on how gay friendly it is? (San Francisco: university, camping)

[sdm81004]

I am contemplating a move from a very homophobic area in the southern Rocky Mountains and have been looking at a job in Eureka, California. Was wondering what life is like there for a gay person who is a professional and who may move with a partner? I don't want to jump right back into what I have been dealing with here and hope to find a community where one can live openly and not have to worry about extreme right wingers and prejudice. Thanks.

[SickOfCalifornia]

Eureka is kinda the backwoods of California, and I while I wouldn't expect to find open hostility, I also wouldn't expect to be welcomed with open arms. Plenty of rednecks, hunter-types, and racists up in those parts. I'm not trying to knock Eureka, but in terms of modern-day, liberal tolerance, it is a far cry from San Francisco, or the Bay Area at large.

[sdm81004]

Thanks for the information. I suspected that such might be the case but thought that with all the pot growing and a state university nearby that attitudes might be a little more "live and let live". I figure it can't be worse than Colorado Springs and southern Colorado.

[nmnita]

I am guessing EscapeCalifornia is wrong on this one, though I usually agree with him. Eureka has always been very liberal, is only about 90 miles from the OR border and is adjacent to Humboldt State, I really don't think a gay couple would have any problems. It is anything but Redneck even though it isn't a metropoliatan area. No, it certainly is nothing like Colo Springs.
The biggest challenge you may have is being professional. This isn't saying there are no professionals in the area, of course there are, but it is more working class, very laid back, very pretty I will add and very, very liberal....also a pretty poor community.

We lived there many years ago, for us it was not a good match, for others, it is one step from heaven.

Nita

[EscapeCalifornia]

?????

[Roaddog]

I would find it very unlikely to find anyplace in california hostile to Gays

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by Roaddog

I would find it very unlikely to find anyplace in california hostile to Gays

Really? A majority of voters passed prop 8 two years ago and you can't imagine any place being hostile to gays? Its a big state.

[eureka1]

First of all, "Sick of California" and "Escape California" are apparently two different posters. I disagree with "Sick" 's characterization of Eureka as backwoods. There isn't much of a gay "scene" here (although this past weekend the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence held an event that went over well,according to the Times-Standard) but I know a fair number of gay professionals who do very well here. I don't think you'll have any problems at all concerning your sexual orientation. I would hope that you have visited at least once. Our "summer" here lasted about one day and today it's drizzling again.
Feel free to PM me if I can assist further.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by eureka1

First of all, "Sick of California" and "Escape California" are apparently two different posters. I disagree with "Sick" 's characterization of Eureka as backwoods. There isn't much of a gay "scene" here (although this past weekend the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence held an event that went over well,according to the Times-Standard) but I know a fair number of gay professionals who do very well here. I don't think you'll have any problems at all concerning your sexual orientation. I would hope that you have visited at least once. Our "summer" here lasted about one day and today it's drizzling again.
Feel free to PM me if I can assist further.

I am not laughing about the weather, I wish I could say the same about here. It is miserable this year. I am smiling though, I remember when we lived there: 1 day and only one the temp climbed to 81. You would have thought it was 130 outside, Everyone was roasting, except those of us from other parts of the state. We said, Thank God for one decent day. When things got too bad we sould head south about 60 miles and go camping. We usually saw the sun a little then.

Nita

[eureka1]

My grandmother, who was born and raised in Eureka, could barely tolerate our summer trips to Marin because it was "too hot". The True Eurekans fear that if the temp goes over 70 you'll find their bones bleaching on the sidewalk. Nita knows...