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Agree, but some people enjoy having something to complain about. That is one of the things I really like about people who choose to live here. I work for a very large company in town and frequently talk with co-workers who are in their 20-30's and everyone, gay, straight, trans, religious, or whatever seems really happy. I have four people on my street alone that moved here from larger cities around the region and are super happy. If it's not for you, it is best to move on I guess.
Good for them!! I could have been one also if I could find housing but I cannot. I have to live in hotels here and it sucks ass. Worse than I seen in FL as well with having to live in hotels and motels. I see the reason Columbia hotel living does so well TBH. Lack of housing. Now hiring signs all over but no housing.. Makes no sense.. I see lots of TX, NJ plates as well since getting here.
Excuses excuses.. even if no pandemic existed, I came to the realization it revolves around college and the military and housing shortages which did exist b4 Covid, I know because other cities its size had the same issues as well esp transient ones with like 100K.
Columbia I felt would be the no news is good news kinda place to go in Covid, but I should have picked some place busier due to the housing issues. I went to Augusta on a side note, felt cleaner and nicer.
I’d love to know what parts of Augusta and Columbia you saw because most would not agree with that ascertainment...
I’d love to know what parts of Augusta and Columbia you saw because most would not agree with that ascertainment...
Clearly a Troll or someone who is looking to reinforce an internalized bias about something. This forum has gotten so off topic anyway because of that person. I wish they would move on for their own happiness!
Clearly a Troll or someone who is looking to reinforce an internalized bias about something. This forum has gotten so off topic anyway because of that person. I wish they would move on for their own happiness!
Is that ur answer for it all? Oh I am a troll!! OH NOEZ!!
Get a life dude. I am dead serious when I make claims. I don't troll.
Getting back on topic, it seems the consensus #1 seemed to be Earlewood back in 2015 when the thread was started. Has this changed at all?
I always found Columbia's gay population to be a bit strange in that it was a mix of USC students, 20/30 something men from small towns within 50 miles, middle aged gay/lesbian couples, and much older men (including some politicians) that at least to me seemed to lurk. The lack of bars (PTs, 1109, Capitol Club) really brought these very disparate groups together in a way that doesn't typically happen in larger cities. I'm curious, has the scene migrated/improved over time?
Getting back on topic, it seems the consensus #1 seemed to be Earlewood back in 2015 when the thread was started. Has this changed at all?
I always found Columbia's gay population to be a bit strange in that it was a mix of USC students, 20/30 something men from small towns within 50 miles, middle aged gay/lesbian couples, and much older men (including some politicians) that at least to me seemed to lurk. The lack of bars (PTs, 1109, Capitol Club) really brought these very disparate groups together in a way that doesn't typically happen in larger cities. I'm curious, has the scene migrated/improved over time?
Ok thanks.
I don't even fit the LGBT demographic AT ALL then. I am a 40, single, Gen X Trans/3rd gender person. A lot more of my kind seem to be in Florida. I made a miscall with Columbia and chose it as a "covid safe" location. Now that might not have been such a good idea as I found some stuff I didn't like as well, not just the obvious advantages I saw. I found a lot more social conservatism in Columbia than I expected. Too too much that it even exceeds FL. Even the Trump people down there are more socially liberal next to this area.
I walked past a house on N Main I believe that had a rainbow flag on it and seemed like it was out of the 80s with 80s music going on the porch. I didn't get to talk to them so I don't know but thats all I saw. Mighta been in their 50s + I dunno and wanted to look younger. I did not see what I would think would be 40 in age like me.
So its students which make sense, amongst the liberal demographic and Gen Z.
Oh and I bet the waiter I saw at Pontiac House of Pizza might be gay, he looks in that age demographic 20/30 in small towns. like ritchie Valens with Native looks mixed with a little Slater from Pump up the Volume with a southern accent too, Nice kid. Like someone who would be straight'ish if was gay but I see it. A few friends but wouldn't fit in with tons of people at the same time, quiet I'd see him as.
Besides that though, most do not seem LGBTQ friendly though when I mention it about me to people. a LOT take issue to trans people just being themselves, not even shoving it in peoples face, just telling them if I have potential roommates or something, I gotta tell em then, right? and to have it held against me is a violation of me.
Oh and lack of bars, u betcha. I been finding. How do people even meet besides going to Church? I don't go. Hangout clubs of some kind? Downtown is like so dead now at night. Just 2 places open it seems like on Main that gets tons of people.. how can u even talk to people???
I don't even fit the LGBT demographic AT ALL then. I am a 40, single, Gen X Trans/3rd gender person. A lot more of my kind seem to be in Florida. I made a miscall with Columbia and chose it as a "covid safe" location. Now that might not have been such a good idea as I found some stuff I didn't like as well, not just the obvious advantages I saw. I found a lot more social conservatism in Columbia than I expected. Too too much that it even exceeds FL. Even the Trump people down there are more socially liberal next to this area.
I walked past a house on N Main I believe that had a rainbow flag on it and seemed like it was out of the 80s with 80s music going on the porch. I didn't get to talk to them so I don't know but thats all I saw. Mighta been in their 50s + I dunno and wanted to look younger. I did not see what I would think would be 40 in age like me.
So its students which make sense, amongst the liberal demographic and Gen Z.
Oh and I bet the waiter I saw at Pontiac House of Pizza might be gay, he looks in that age demographic 20/30 in small towns. like ritchie Valens with Native looks mixed with a little Slater from Pump up the Volume with a southern accent too, Nice kid. Like someone who would be straight'ish if was gay but I see it. A few friends but wouldn't fit in with tons of people at the same time, quiet I'd see him as.
Besides that though, most do not seem LGBTQ friendly though when I mention it about me to people. a LOT take issue to trans people just being themselves, not even shoving it in peoples face, just telling them if I have potential roommates or something, I gotta tell em then, right? and to have it held against me is a violation of me.
Oh and lack of bars, u betcha. I been finding. How do people even meet besides going to Church? I don't go. Hangout clubs of some kind? Downtown is like so dead now at night. Just 2 places open it seems like on Main that gets tons of people.. how can u even talk to people???
South Carolina is definitely more socially conservative than Florida (just look at the most recently polling figures), but they're both mainly conservative with more diverse pockets/cities. I'm from Florida originally and I doubt you'll find widespread inclusion there either. Tampa/Clearwater, which I take it is where you lived, feels more conservative than Orlando, which feels conservative compared to Miami, which feels conservative compared to a place like Key West. It's all relative.
I'm sorry you've had a bad experience. It's tough to move to a new place and you also happened to move at probably the worst time in recently history unfortunately. With the trans population already being marginalized, I suspect either a fairly dense major city or a gay bastion (a la Provincetown) might be what you're looking for given your responses.
My question about the local gay scene was really a question, I'm not up to date on which bars are still open/active these days and I'm curious about how it's changed in the last 5-10 years.
Excuses excuses.. even if no pandemic existed, I came to the realization it revolves around college and the military and housing shortages which did exist b4 Covid, I know because other cities its size had the same issues as well esp transient ones with like 100K.
Columbia I felt would be the no news is good news kinda place to go in Covid, but I should have picked some place busier due to the housing issues. I went to Augusta on a side note, felt cleaner and nicer.
South Carolina is definitely more socially conservative than Florida (just look at the most recently polling figures), but they're both mainly conservative with more diverse pockets/cities. I'm from Florida originally and I doubt you'll find widespread inclusion there either. Tampa/Clearwater, which I take it is where you lived, feels more conservative than Orlando, which feels conservative compared to Miami, which feels conservative compared to a place like Key West. It's all relative.
I'm sorry you've had a bad experience. It's tough to move to a new place and you also happened to move at probably the worst time in recently history unfortunately. With the trans population already being marginalized, I suspect either a fairly dense major city or a gay bastion (a la Provincetown) might be what you're looking for given your responses.
My question about the local gay scene was really a question, I'm not up to date on which bars are still open/active these days and I'm curious about how it's changed in the last 5-10 years.
As a Gay person who has lived here for 20 years, the bar scene has changed dramatically, but it has mirrored similar patterns in other places. There is less of a need for such places and so they tend to close and people go to "regular" bars and such. It is nothing to see gay couples, some with kids even, at local breweries with other straight couples and such. But, I agree for some that it is best if they are really looking for that majority LGBTQ areas they seek out a place like Wilton Manors, FL or Palm Springs, CA. Things have just generally integrated more and more.
Getting back on topic, it seems the consensus #1 seemed to be Earlewood back in 2015 when the thread was started. Has this changed at all?
I always found Columbia's gay population to be a bit strange in that it was a mix of USC students, 20/30 something men from small towns within 50 miles, middle aged gay/lesbian couples, and much older men (including some politicians) that at least to me seemed to lurk. The lack of bars (PTs, 1109, Capitol Club) really brought these very disparate groups together in a way that doesn't typically happen in larger cities. I'm curious, has the scene migrated/improved over time?
I think over the last 10-15 years, there is far less stigma in general across the US. I think there are some areas where there is a higher concentration of LGBT people, especially in town, but I have gay/lesbian friends who live all over the area, heck even some in Gaston and Blythewood. I think we are entering a post gayborhood world pretty much everywhere!
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