Gay young couple, considering moving to SLC?

[stycotl]

i think katiana was referring to the weather rather than the politics.

[kwm03160]

I agree with most of the posts - as long as you don't move into the "suburbs" (Sandy, South Jordan, West Jordan, etc), you will be fine and accepted. Pride is coming up soon, too!

[jb007]

SLC is about 40% Mormon. It has a smaller urban downtown center relative to large cities, but it's clean and beautiful and very well maintained. Decent shopping for not being NY or SF, less expensive dining choices, including ethnic foods as well as the major chains, and unlimited outdoor and winter sports. If that's your cup of tea SLC could be a great place. I'm a GWM Mormon from CA but went to college in UT and visit a few times a year. There are gay people in SLC, no doubt and the gay lifestyle is opposite to everything that the Mormon/LDS church stands for: Families, children, church, morality, social responsibility, and specifically beliefs that homosexuality is one of the gravest of sins and is the antithesis of traditional family values. There are gay clubs and bars, no doubt, a handful, and most clubs have "gay night" on Friday nights. I found this out by freak accident when in college, it was a bit awkward, I was with a few girls in those days. In general, the Mormons are good people, albeit very conservative and generally republican in mindset. SLC is the more liberal (meaning conservative but leaning moderate) area in Utah, although it does house Mormon HQ, SLC Temple, Conference center, etc, etc. It is to be expected; Mormons settled the land and built virtually everything. You don't go to the Vatican expecting to avoid Catholics, same thing here. This is Mormon Mecca. There will be gay bashers here and some very judgemental people, there are also many good compassionate people. Please keep in mind that many people here have never known an openly gay person on a personal level or understand what that is like, it's not their fault, it's the sheltered culture and upbringing, they simply don't know any better; please don't judge them for that. However if you are a relatively "normal" couple that tends to be more mainstream-conservative as opposed to flamboyant, loud and proud, you may just fit in here if you are very careful to avoid stereotypes and PDA which might get a real rise out of people who may become violently angry. I'm not saying to hide in the closet, but making your relationship a non-issue for other people will take you a long way in this town. Let the people know you for the good people you are. You should definitely pay a visit, look for housing near downtown or the avenues, check out Park City and try a few of the gay bars, just remember, this is SLC, not West Hollywood. You might want to stay away from Provo/Orem, about an hour south, Utah County is extremely conservative and may not be your best bet. Good luck!

[stycotl]

i have seen homosexual pda in salt lake and have never seen any violent opposition to it. i haven't even ever seen anyone yell or pout or make rude gestures or anything.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

With a gay and a lesbian in political office, and a Gay Pride parade as well as a major gay ball in the Spring, you would not be out of place. In fact, SLC has one of the higher per-capita polulations of GLBT folks in the USA.

[SLCPUNK]

Originally Posted by stycotl

i have seen homosexual pda in salt lake and have never seen any violent opposition to it. i haven't even ever seen anyone yell or pout or make rude gestures or anything.

I've found that many folks in SLC are much more passive about things they find offensive. I'm sure if there were any PDA in say, Charlotte NC, you may witness a much more vocal diatribe from the locals.

[stycotl]

and some of them actually realize that whether they like it or not, it's not their place to try to fix it.

[Djmodel84]

Well I still got some time to go and decide what to do. I have to say that I am centered on idea of Denver over SLC. I just find it simpler and easier to deal with. I am keeping SLC in my list and by no means am I going to excluded from it. I appreciate all the input I have gotten in this site, it's a great site.

Another issue is that I come from south Florida this is Gay mecca, although I am not out and loud, I like the attention we receive as such. I also love the benefits we have here and I know it's going to be hard to receive all that out west. I am very proud of who I am and I 100% Catholic, I know my church does not agree of what I am but I have found an understanding with it.

This is a decision I have to really think about and weight out all the benefits and cons.

Thanks for all the help, one more thing how is gay life in Denver? Where is it located in the city?


I know this post is a little contradictory from my first one, but really is not much that different. I am not into clubs, but I do want to go out to a restaurant and other gay couples in there, that I could relate to.

[wesside]

Originally Posted by Djmodel84

Well I still got some time to go and decide what to do. I have to say that I am centered on idea of Denver over SLC. I just find it simpler and easier to deal with. I am keeping SLC in my list and by no means am I going to excluded from it. I appreciate all the input I have gotten in this site, it's a great site.

Another issue is that I come from south Florida this is Gay mecca, although I am not out and loud, I like the attention we receive as such. I also love the benefits we have here and I know it's going to be hard to receive all that out west. I am very proud of who I am and I 100% Catholic, I know my church does not agree of what I am but I have found an understanding with it.

This is a decision I have to really think about and weight out all the benefits and cons.

Thanks for all the help, one more thing how is gay life in Denver? Where is it located in the city?

I know this post is a little contradictory from my first one, but really is not much that different. I am not into clubs, but I do want to go out to a restaurant and other gay couples in there, that I could relate to.

I know this post is a little contradictory from my first one, but really is not much that different. I am not into clubs, but I do want to go out to a restaurant and other gay couples in there, that I could relate to.[/quote]
Good choice on Denver. Alot more things to do and the GLBT population is more apparent than SLC.
I would like to know where everyone is getting their information from. All this, SLC is in the top 20 of GLBT acceptance and/or per capita, so on. Doesnt seem right, especially with number of supportive GLBT communities out there. I could probably think of more than 8 in California alone. From my experience living in SLC, the GLBT community is small, and very quiet and not much apparent. Imagine an LDS church-goer sipping beer out of a McDonalds cup. Kinda like that.
Living in Salt Lake, you'll probably run across many gay, or gay couples yet never know they were gay. They tend to keep it more DL to not attract attention (or at least it seems like).