Gay "acceptance" NC mountain towns (Asheville, Chapel Hill: chapel, home) - Western North Carolina - North Carolina -The Mountain Region including Asheville - City-Data Forum

kyle19125 · 09-03-2011, 04:45 PM

I'm a 50yo gay male currently living in Central Florida and seriously contemplating a move to Western NC to open a new business (retail), though not exclusively considering Asheville. I'm considering Blowing Rock and Highlands as well. My question is what would the reception be like for me? It's not exactly all warm and fuzzy here in the suburbs of Orlando so I do have an idea of the possibilities. I'm not flamboyantly gay or closeted for that matter, just kind of an "Average Joe". I've lived in the usual places one feels completely accepted in (DC, Philly) as well as Chapel Hill/Carrboro many years ago. I don't really need the typical gay social scene any longer (been there, done that) as I have enough long-term friends to keep me occupied, but would like a place with genuinely friendly people who aren't just smiling and then putting the knife in your back when you look the other way. I'd appreciate any constructive feedback, preferably from residents or former residents. Thanks!

ButtercupMcToots · 09-03-2011, 06:22 PM

You would be very well accepted in Brevard, can't speak for other places. Opening a retail business at this time seems a lot iffier.

motordavid · 09-03-2011, 07:03 PM

Waynesville, Sylva, et al...place I live/am familiar with, and A'ville, B'Rock, etc, etc...
I have never seen gay bashing in my decade here. Live and let live is fairly common here, imo.

This question comes up on the JukeBox about a dozen times per year; if there are real problems, or areas where there is less acceptance, it is rarely posted about here. And, I would suspect those 'problems' or, potential situs, are anecdotal...

But really, no one cares, imo.
GL, mD

Francois · 09-07-2011, 11:04 AM

You might look into Sylva or Cullowhee also--Cullowhee is a college town so more liberal (Jackson county was the only "blue" county in the western mountains except Buncombe (Asheville) ). Both have wonderful small-town charm and neat retail shops, with the college population to support your store. I am gay but live in another part of NC; it's true that you shouldn't encounter rampant homophobia much anywhere, but non-gay people may not be as attuned to the more subtle different treatment gay people can get. Areas up near Boone right outside of Boone itself can be VERY churchy, and that is in the Congressional District of Virginia Foxx, one of the most virulentaly homophobic members of US Congress there is (you can google her). Of course, living in her district would give you a chance to help vote her out...

I do think the college parts of the mountains would be best for an outside of any stripe to open a business--in the more rural areas, a lot of business if from personal networking. Check out Cullowhee (and environs) as well as Boone and of couse Asheville. Blowing Rock is known for its commercial district, but it's also a mess of traffic a lot of the time.

OMGosh Josh · 09-07-2011, 10:12 PM

I've lived here my entire life. I've never encountered any gay bashing that I can remember. I have plenty of openly gay friends, too, and I've never heard them mention it before. I think you'll be just fine. No worries, brother.

EasilyAmused · 09-08-2011, 08:20 AM

I think you'll be fine in either location. Highlands has several gay couples that own shops. However, Highlands is basically closed from October to April. Blowing Rock is more like a suburb of Boone these days, so while it may slow down in the winter, it doesn't come to a grinding halt like Highlands/Cashiers.

ShipOfFools42 · 09-10-2011, 12:24 PM

I will chime in that Cullowhee is really not a town. It is really just a college campus that has a town name on the map for some reason. There are a few little shops around the outskirts of campus, but I don't see any kind of big market there. Sylva is the closest actual town to Cullowhee, and it wouldn't be the best fit for your business needs (can't speak to their attitude about gay people). My suggestions would be like the others: Boone, Blowing Rock, Asheville, Brevard, possibly Waynesville, but opening a store is gonna be hard in any of those places.

Catbirds · 09-10-2011, 12:54 PM

I live in Blowing Rock and have friends and family that are gay. I don't think, even though Virginia Fox, who never gets the vote in Boone, is around here, I have not heard of anyone having any issues with attitude. You will be fine, I'm sure. Do you mind telling us what kind of retail?

tsmw47 · 09-11-2011, 08:04 PM

I live a few miles outside of Weaverviille NC. (near Asheville) and the gay people who live in this area are just our friends and neighbors. Think that says it all. Not sure about retail town is not very big but a new shopping area is starting up.

jhuckmg25 · 09-15-2011, 12:27 PM

I think Asheville would be the most Gay friendly town and has a large gay population. I own a home in Highlands and I don't think you would have a problem as long as you don't push it on people. I find most people in the mountains really don't care unless you make it an issue. Most Mountain people move to the mountains to be left alone. Thats why i live in the Mountains in CO and NC.