Are Bowling Green and Mammoth Caves NP safe for a gay couple? (Lexington: hotel, houses)

[EscAlaMike]

Originally Posted by kygman

Don't know which direction you're coming from but there's a lot to see along I-65 from Bowling Green to Louisville. Besides the Corvette Museum and other spots Transplant mentioned, as you work your way north, there's Abraham Lincoln's Birthplace and Boyhood Home, Bardstown, home of My Old Kentucky Home and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. And don't forget to stop at Talbot Tavern! On the highway between I-65 and Bardstown (on Ky. 245) is the Jim Beam distillery and the Bernheim Forest Arboretum. Enjoy your visit!

https://bourbonmanor.com/blog/2019/1...ail-bardstown/
https://bernheim.org/plan-your-visit/must-sees/
https://www.jimbeam.com/en/visit-us/
https://visitbardstown.com/things-to-do/

Good stuff here

I second Bardstown - it's definitely worth a detour.

[Crazee Cat Lady]

Welcome to Kentucky!
I hope you enjoy your trip here.

[ServoMiff]

Originally Posted by Oldhag1

Kentucky is a “you do you” place and as long as you don’t insist on involving them in your private business at worst they’ll be polite to your face then when they get home tell their spouse or mama about the gay fellows they saw at the diner and suggest they add them to the prayer list. Kentuckians are generally helpful, friendly people who think others are entitled to live their lives as they see fit, just like they are. As long as you aren’t rude or so over the top that you appear to be trying to make a point, you’ll be just fine.

That said, you’d probably like staying in Bowling Green. There is a lot to do in easy driving distance, in addition to quick access to Mammoth Cave, plus it has a huge selection of restaurants.

This is the most accurate answer. Kentucky, despite its red state leanings has very much been by and large a state that takes the mindset of "live and let live". I worked for an Ag lender when I last lived in the state, and I talked to a farmer in Central KY who mentioned that he loved the show Modern Family. He said he disagreed with the gay character but thought he was hilarious at the same time. I think this is a microcosm of Kentuckian sentiment. They may not agree with something, but they accept it because they generally don't like causing trouble.

As long as you are not intentionally drawing attention to your gayness with something way over the top that would cause any normal person to be uncomfortable, then you should be in fine shape to make the visit. Keep in mind Bowling Green is also a college town, and college towns are generally more liberal in nature with very limited exception. BG is no different. I really enjoyed visiting BG as a native Louisvillian who isn't super conservative.

[scully2010]

I have friends who are gay who live near Bowling Green and Mammoth Cave and they have never had any problems whatsoever. As others have said, Kentucky is a beautiful, friendly place. It's not liberal, like California where I lived for 10 years, but no one will attack or say anything to a gay couple. I could see that some people might be offended if a gay couple was making out in public, but they'd also be nearly as offended if a straight couple was making out in public. Personally, I don't care what anyone does and I support the right to love whomever you choose. I do like wearing my Pride watchband around Kentucky. I get a lot of comments, "Hey, I like your watchband" from people who are liberal and/or appreciative to know that someone isn't crazy conservative even tho the state is mostly red. You'll be fine. Come and enjoy yourselves!!!!

[markostoughton]

Hi again. We got back from our trip to Kentucky last weekend. I thought I would report that we had a great time! As others predicted, we did not run into any issues as a gay couple. It was really no different for us than being in Massachusetts, except that people were friendlier. We both really enjoyed Mammoth Cave and the excellent restaurants of Bowling Green and Owensboro, as well as the gorgeous Kentucky countryside. We are very happy that we went and are sharing that in our circle of friends, both gay and straight.

[Crazee Cat Lady]

So glad you had a nice trip! You seem like really nice people.

[kygman]

Come back again sometime. There's a lot to see in the Commonwealth. Glad you had a good trip.

[marino760]

I'm so glad you had a great time and found KY to be a beautiful and friendly place to visit. Thank you for coming back here and posting about it. Hopefully you'll visit again and see other parts of the state.

[Oldhag1]

Originally Posted by markostoughton

Hi again. We got back from our trip to Kentucky last weekend. I thought I would report that we had a great time! As others predicted, we did not run into any issues as a gay couple. It was really no different for us than being in Massachusetts, except that people were friendlier. We both really enjoyed Mammoth Cave and the excellent restaurants of Bowling Green and Owensboro, as well as the gorgeous Kentucky countryside. We are very happy that we went and are sharing that in our circle of friends, both gay and straight.

So glad you had a good time in our lovely state. Thanks for sharing your experience. We have lots of other gorgeous parts, both big and small, full of friendly people.

We’ve lived a lot of places and there is no place that was anywhere as near as welcoming and friendly. I love my state, it’s one of America’s best kept secrets.

[Mathguy]

Originally Posted by markostoughton

Hi again. We got back from our trip to Kentucky last weekend. I thought I would report that we had a great time! As others predicted, we did not run into any issues as a gay couple. It was really no different for us than being in Massachusetts, except that people were friendlier. We both really enjoyed Mammoth Cave and the excellent restaurants of Bowling Green and Owensboro, as well as the gorgeous Kentucky countryside. We are very happy that we went and are sharing that in our circle of friends, both gay and straight.

Glad you had a great trip.

Living in KS I've seen this question there before as well as having a gay friend from the coast stay over once while passing thru town express *concern*.

Glad you got a chance to have some stereotypes burst. Frankly, I think your odds of *trouble* are greater in some of the urban parts of the US. Google "attack on gay couple" and it will spell it out for you.