Are Bowling Green and Mammoth Caves NP safe for a gay couple? (Louisville: home, university) - Kentucky (KY) - City-Data Forum

markostoughton · 10-12-2021, 07:20 AM

Hi. My partner and I are a middle-aged gay couple. We would really like to tour Mammoth Caves National Park on vacation but are frankly afraid that we might run into hostility or even violence as a gay couple. Should we be concerned? For what it's worth, we are from Massachusetts, and it will be obvious as soon as we open our mouths that we are not from Kentucky. (We will be driving, so our license plate will also give away our origins.) We were thinking that it might be safer for us to stay in Bowling Green than in the rural area near the park. We were hoping that since it is a city, it might be less conservative, and we would be less likely to face hostility at restaurants and such. We do not do public displays of affection, except that we tend to call each other "Sweetie". We will probably try to suppress that while in Kentucky, but it might slip out. Even so, it's kind of obvious we're a gay couple. We've been together for 15 years, and we act like any married couple who've been together a long time. Would it be unwise to plan a vacation to this destination, or do folks think we'll be okay?

EscAlaMike · 10-12-2021, 01:53 PM

Safe? Hostility? Violence?

Why would anyone even know or care if you're "gay"? Do you like to draw attention to yourselves and make your sexual proclivities publicly known?

kygman · 10-12-2021, 02:59 PM

Good grief. Come to Kentucky and enjoy yourselves.

KY_Transplant · 10-12-2021, 03:56 PM

You all will be fine. Kentucky is more liberal than people think. In fact, I would be more worried in Ohio. I find folks in KY to be more of the "live and let live" mentality.

Kentucky is a beautiful state with friendly people.

Bowling Green is nice city to stay in and about 30-40 minutes to Mammoth Cave NP. Lot's of places to stay and eat, and some other cool attractions like the National Corvette Museum, Lost River Cave and Western Kentucky University.

Oldhag1 · 10-13-2021, 01:36 AM

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.

marino760 · 10-13-2021, 04:46 AM

It's too bad so many negative stereotypes of KY still persist. I live in a smallish town of less than 9000. The people next door to me happen to be a married gay couple. They are treated no differently than anyone else and they have many friends here. The only comments I ever heard from others are comments about how nice they are. Just be polite and people will treat you the same.

markostoughton · 10-13-2021, 01:42 PM

Thanks to all the Kentuckians for the words of reassurance. I'm old enough to remember when it wasn't totally safe for a gay couple to be seen in public in Boston. As you say, negative stereotypes of Kentucky persist here, partly because few Northeasterners go there. But we are adventurous, have traveled elsewhere in the South, and don't draw attention to ourselves. It sounds like we'll be fine. Thanks again.

kygman · 10-13-2021, 03:09 PM

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/

GWoodle · 10-13-2021, 05:33 PM

Bet if you stay at the Holiday Inn Quality Inn any name brand chain Inn just off the interstate you would be little different than any other tourist. Not sure how busy Mammoth Cave is under Covid restrictions. From this time of year plenty of snowbirds heading South to evade a cold winter.

If you take normal precautions & have a mask would be safe.

marino760 · 10-14-2021, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markostoughton

Thanks to all the Kentuckians for the words of reassurance. I'm old enough to remember when it wasn't totally safe for a gay couple to be seen in public in Boston. As you say, negative stereotypes of Kentucky persist here, partly because few Northeasterners go there. But we are adventurous, have traveled elsewhere in the South, and don't draw attention to ourselves. It sounds like we'll be fine. Thanks again.

Have a fun trip to KY and if you enjoy yourselves and find it a beautiful place to visit, I hope you'll spread the word to your friends and family.