What is it like being gay in a red state?

17 Comments

I am generally curious to hear what anyone who is openly gay/lesbian thinks about living in a red state. I am thinking of coming out soon and I want to be open with my relationships, but I live in a pretty conservative red state and I'm kind of scared as to what the public perception would be. Where I live there are no gay couples, at least I've never seen any.

Should I expect to receive any discrimination for doing something as minor as holding hands with my boyfriend in public?

If you have any personal discrimination stories about how you have been treated, or how someone you know has been treated, could you please share them in the comments? I think it could help a lot of people like myself understand what we may face being openly gay in parts of the country that are not so favorable to our lifestyle.

Thanks.

Not bad at all 4
People can be dicks, but it's not like I'd move away 5
It's gets overwhelming how much shit I have to put up with 1
It's the absolute worst, never choose a red state if you're gay 5
Fuck this place, hello San Francisco! 8
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Comments ( 17 )
  • NeofelisNebulosa
    8 years ago

    As nobody13 said, it's worse in rural areas. Public displays of affection can be dangerous. My ex and I got called names a few times for holding hands in public, but it was a rare occurrence. People stare some too.

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    • VirgilManly
      8 years ago

      They'd be more accepting if you were cousins.
      :)

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      • Anonymous Post Author
        8 years ago

        lol, so true! Thanks, this made me laugh.

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        • VirgilManly
          8 years ago

          Glad I could help.
          :)

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      8 years ago

      Damn that sucks to hear, I live in a rural area too. I know I'll get the staring, which I am not going to like one bit. I really hope I don't get any hate, though I probably will. It just sucks.

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      • NeofelisNebulosa
        8 years ago

        I hope everything will turn out okay!

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  • nobody13
    8 years ago

    According to most of the homosexuals in my family (we are from South Carolina), it's not as bad if you live in a city as opposed to a rural area. Charleston seems pretty cool with them, to my understanding, as does Columbia (you see them walking around, holding hands sometimes), but in the more rural areas, that might be asking for trouble. I don't think my state is as bad as some of the other red states, though, based on some of the horror stories I've heard about some of the other states, so we definitely can't speak for all red states.

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    • thegypsysailor
      8 years ago

      Charleston may be IN a red state, but it is becoming a pretty diverse and cosmopolitan little city. I don't think it can be used as a gauge of southern red state mentality, any more.

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      • donteatstuffoffthesidewalk
        8 years ago

        that could be said for just bout every city

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        • thegypsysailor
          8 years ago

          In the SOUTH? It's actually become a democratic enclave surrounded by the gop.

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          • donteatstuffoffthesidewalk
            8 years ago

            grow up man it aint 1968 no more

            for someone whos so openminded and progressive yall sure does spend lotsa time stickin with age ole stereotypes

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  • donteatstuffoffthesidewalk
    8 years ago

    id guess theres as many gays haters in red states as theres weirdos tryin to use yall by gittin yall onboard with theys bullshit political adgends and skeezy diversity projects in blue states

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  • Steve2.0
    8 years ago

    I'm not gay. I assume it would be fairly fucked-up though.

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  • Anonymous Post Author
    8 years ago

    It's so stupid to approve of someone not doing their job. They really should be fired.

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  • wigz
    8 years ago

    In my state, county clerks were refusing to give marriage licenses to anyone. Just the other day they got the smack layed down on them though but the majority of citizens that commented on the articles approved of the clerks actions.

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  • iEatZombies_
    8 years ago

    I live in Florida, which is sometimes red, sometimes blue.
    In my area, years ago, people were more outward about not liking gay people, but left them alone for the most part. It wasn't uncommon to hear the words "That guy's a fag."
    Nowadays, it's less likely for a gay person to be judged. If you dislike gay people, you're better off keeping your comments to yourself or amongst your small group of friends. Although, if you're more aggressive about hitting on a straight man, you might get punched and it's unlikely you'll get sympathy.
    As for how a gay person is treated in certain environments of groups of individuals, I can't speak for that. It's unlikely that I'd ever be around a homophobic group and a gay person at the same time.

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  • Vile
    8 years ago

    There is pockets of queer acceptance in red or blue states. Violence towards homosexuals unprovoked pretty much doesn't happen anymore. Just don't come down here to Vidor Texas, it'd be one of the worst mistake of your life. You've been warned.

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