[nickydavan]

We're moving to Florida early 2011. Where are the safest areas for gay families? We plan on living here for a long time, and want our kids to be safe. We are also considering Georgia, so any info is greatly appreciated.

[luluka1]

Happy New Year St petersburg , Happy New Year

[yamahastar]

Well, in my opinion, the larger the city, the more likely you are to find a more liberal climate; however, the larger the city, the more likely you are to find a higher crime rate. There's safe and there's safe. I think Gainesville would be a good place for you. Its not so big that crime is a big problem and, overall, its more liberal. There's a nice gay community here. Good luck.

[doggiebus]

I will agree with staying closer to a large city. With that said I wouldn't suggest the panhandle over to Jacksonville or central Florida. Orlando would probably ok though. South Florida (palm beach, broward and Miami-ADR county) are probably the most accepting of different lifestyles.

[blacksmith76]

I would second Southeast Florida metro. There are all kinds of people here and you would be fine. Overall, the southeast is not the friendliest area, though. Just something to consider.

[Coconut1]

I'll have to agree that you should stick to SE FL. North and even some of Central FL have a very southern influence to them. South Florida thankfully has a more northern mentality in that what you do is your business and the approval of your neighbors is not required as a stipulation of living there.

[yamahastar]

I agree with the opinions about south Florida, but I personally don't like the congestion, crime, cost of living, etc. Please visit before you decide to move. You can come down I75, take a look at Gainesville and then visits south Florida.

[SoFLGal]

You might want to look into Sarasota county. I have many gay friends and they tell me they feel very comfortable here.

[jamies]

Florida is not known as a gay friendly state, at least at the government level. The central areas around Okeechobee and Ocala are about as redneck as you can find outside of Northern Mississippi. Fl has a lot of homophobic laws and lack of rights that are taken for granted elsewhere.

However places like Ft. Lauderdale, South Beach, and Key West are some of the "gayest" cities in America.

[jsimms3]

I don't get why everyone automatically equates the south with gay unfriendly. Atlanta's in the south and it's one of the gayest cities in the country. If you're straight where I live, you may be in the minority in some buildings or areas. Anyway, if you are looking at SE FL, I wouldn't flock to the gay areas. They are seedy and hedonistic and not great places to raise a family imo. People in all 4 major metros and most of the mid-size metros will be tolerant and friendly, so long as you don't shove your ideologies down anyone's throat (who wants that from anyone?). I would look at family oriented areas towards the beach in Palm Beach County, Weston in Broward, or South Miami area. Unfortunately, these areas are all pricey. If you want big city for less, but still want family oriented and safe and gay friendly, then try Lake Eola area in Orlando, South Tampa/Hyde Park, or Riverside/Avondale in Jacksonville.

It doesn't matter if you live in Wilton Manors (where they film half the gay pornos and everything is "gay"...do you want that for your kid or for yourself?) or if you live in the Panhandle, Florida does not have equal protection or employment discrimination laws for gays or transgender people. Most companies obviously take it upon themselves, but don't expect to receive domestic partnership tax benefits, to get married anytime soon, or to be guaranteed not to be discriminated against by any employers.