Gay Life in Miami (Fort Lauderdale, Doral: neighborhood, school, live)

[gv0928]

I'm curious as to how gays are treated in Miami. Is it liberal, like New York, or is there conflict?

Are the gays predominantly effeminate, or are they masculine?

I'm Latin myself, and am not effeminate, so I'm just curious as to what the dynamic is.

Any pointers? Warnings? Etc.?

[HGONZ001]

Miami is a pretty liberal city. Most people won't care if you are gay or straight, except the young males driving Hondas blasting their music. Gays in Miami come in all sizes, colors and backgrounds, the same goes for butch bears or queens. Just be yourself and don't go around acting like a drama queen.

[Boats]

Cubans in Miami are in general very republican and homophobic. South Beach or Fort Lauderdale is where you want to be. Very gay friendly in East Ft. Ld.

[HGONZ001]

Originally Posted by AnywherebutSouthFL

Cubans in Miami are in general very republican and homophobic. South Beach or Fort Lauderdale is where you want to be. Very gay friendly in East Ft. Ld.

OLDER generation Cubans are Republicans and sometimes homophobics. The younger generations, regardless of nationality are more tolerant. But yes, Fort Lauderdale and some pockets of South Beach are better than Miami proper.

[rnc2mbfl]

If you want a old school gay ghetto, go to Wilton Manors (Ft Lauderdale). If you want a more integrated life experience where being gay is neither overcelebrated nor hidden, go to South Beach. Other differences that I have observed are as follows: The men are generally more Latin in SouthBeach. The men in Ft. Lauderdale are generally more Anglo. The scene in Ft. Lauderdale tends to be older than the scene in SouthBeach. SouthBeach is trendier and more international. Ft. Lauderdale is more middle American.
Ft. Lauderdale has many more gay bars and establishments. SouthBeach has more upscale establishments where gay men co-exist with straights. Wilton Manors is suburban while SouthBeach is urban. Broward Co. used to be much cheaper than Dade but now they are both overpriced (but for how long?).
If you like the Castro, you might like Ft. Lauderdale. If you like Chelsea or WeHo, you might like SouthBeach.
Those are just my opinions. Good luck with your decision.

[rnc2mbfl]

Originally Posted by HGONZ001

OLDER generation Cubans are Republicans and sometimes homophobics. The younger generations, regardless of nationality are more tolerant. But yes, Fort Lauderdale and some pockets of South Beach are better than Miami proper.

In the 2002 election when MiamiDade voted on whether or not gays could retain basic human rights as laid out in the county human rights ordinance, the gay community got slaughtered by the predominately latin (mostly Cuban)voters in the city. However, this was the only demographic that voted against basic human rights for gays and they were unsuccessful in their bid to do another "Anita Bryant" on the community. Overall, the Jewish, Black, Haitian and White (non-Jewish) voters supported basic human rights for gays. What this means for where you live is basically the closer you are to the water or wealth, the greater the chance that you are in a gay affirming neighborhood. Remember, MiamiDade has 2.4 million people. And, whenever you get a large diverse group of people, you will get a large diverse opinion, etc.
Broward and Dade are both "blue" voting counties. Broward is politically more liberal but that is probably because the Cubans, who are historically the Repulicans' most reliable voting bloc, are a larger part of Dade than they are in Broward. However, as is suggested, that's a dying truth as more and more younger Cubans are abandoning their parents' generation politics.

[Valea]

Originally Posted by gv0928

I'm curious as to how gays are treated in Miami. Is it liberal, like New York, or is there conflict?

Are the gays predominantly effeminate, or are they masculine?

I'm Latin myself, and am not effeminate, so I'm just curious as to what the dynamic is.

Any pointers? Warnings? Etc.?

I'm in Doral and from NY I dont think the people could care less its same as NY . Some might most dont .
if the people arent friendly its not because your gay its because they simply arent friendly

[Valea]

Originally Posted by HGONZ001

OLDER generation Cubans are Republicans and sometimes homophobics. The younger generations, regardless of nationality are more tolerant. But yes, Fort Lauderdale and some pockets of South Beach are better than Miami proper.

Thats is completely false being older Cuban or Rep doesnt make anyone homophob as you put it

[tallrick]

I have had a few gay friends and all have hated Miami. Ironically the whole gay scene has left Miami-dade county and relocated to Broward. Not sure if this is good or bad, but I have been told that Miami has little to offer Gay guys other than parties, drugs and disease.

[HGONZ001]

Originally Posted by Valea

Thats is completely false being older Cuban or Rep doesnt make anyone homophob as you put it

Oh please, wake up and read today's news. It is true that most Republicans are homophobics. Look at our president. And ask any gay Cuban, he will tell you that most parents would rather have a son that is a thief rather than gay.