Off topic but just intrested ! everyone respond please

Im curious to know how everyones communitys are to live in, as gay ppl or gay couples are there alot of places to meet ppl like us in your community or is it a hush hush thing in your community?Im just very curious! maybe everyone can answer by intoducing themselves first since theres so many new ppl on this board.so here I go!!! My name is jeanette i am 27 soon to be 28 i have a partner cindy of almost 9 years we have a daughter who will be 10 her name is sylvia. we live near riverside ,ca and hear ppl seem to be closet gay ppl and not really family orientated seems bars are the only way to meet gay ppl.I would love to live in san francisco,ca but to expensive.so hear where im from ppl are freindly but not real "out and about" but i love california. Me and my partner are looking to relocate in the next few years and would love to hear how other states and communitys are as far as the openess of gay ppl , if not your community any ideas as to what communitys in your state? Thank you ~~*jeanette*~~

Jeanette, This is a great post. I'm Chip, age 42 and have a life partner, Heath who is 38. We had a Vermont Civil union in July of 2001. We met on December 23rd 1999. (Note to self: Order flowers for our meeting date anniversary). We have two children (the K-9 variety) welsh corgis (Jackson and Noah). We live on the Philadelphia Mainline in a small suburban town called Malvern. It is very interesting here in suburban Philadelphia. There are many gay couples and single gay individuals here in the western suburbs. I can't say it is the most gay friendly place in the world and the area is about 80% republican but they area is pretty "accepting". I have not experienced any "gay" prejudice in this area. I work for a very high ranking but small school district. I'm out in the community and at work. The students know I'm gay (I have a picture of Heath on my desk) and when we shop at the local Acme store they say hi to both of us. Our school has a GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) and there are 75 members (pretty good for a school with 1200 students). It is actually the 3rd largest organization in the entire school. My union actually pushed for domestic partner benefits during the last contract negotiations but it did not pass the board. I will say not one community member spoke out against the proposal. That may have been different if the board had passed it the domestic partner benefits. Unfortunately this area of Pennsylvania (suburban Philadelphia and the city itself) is not representative of the rest of the state. I have found many other parts of Pennsylvania to be less accepting. My partner is African American and I have felt more prejudice around that issue than the "gay" issue when traveling in other parts of the state and country. We actually have considered moving across the bridge into New Jersey were Domestic Partners are law. A friend who works for Atlantic County schools has his partner on his insurance and they have right of survivor benefits. I doubt that will happen in PA for many many years. In summary the western burbs of Philadelphia are pretty accepting and I think most people feel safe being out (they probably don't feel comfortable holding hands in public in the burbs). Philadelphia itself is a pretty welcoming city and has a pretty good size Gayborhood. Chip

Wow Chip its so nice to "meet" you! thanks for responding I cant wait to hear more about ppls communitys p.s. im such a bad mom lol i forgot our furbaby...a 6lb bouncing baby maltese named rocco 2 1/2 years old

Hi Jeanette, My name is Chad. I am 34 y/o, single (All single guys feel free to email me!), no pets, and I live in a smaller NW suburb of Minneapolis MN. My immediate community leans towards the republican side of things and tends to not be very accepting of my lifestyle. However, I can go to Minneapolis (30 miles away) and be part of one of the largest gay communities in the country. It seems as though the closer you get to the city, the more accepting people are. As far as my neighbors, I have not told any of them that I am gay. But I am sure they have a pretty good idea. After all how many 34 y/o single men do you see that tend to have mostly men visitors to their homes? LOL Come relocate to MINNEAPOLIS!!! If you can stand the cold! LOL

hI CHAD THANKS FOR RESPONDING THIS IS SO FUN TO GET TO KNOW EACHOTHER AND OUR COMMUNITYS...im not sure if i could stand the cold but i love when it snows for christmas!! makes it feel much more like a holiday wish i lived in the snow for the month of december,and thats it!! take care and nice to "meet"you ~~**jeanette**~~

Hi Jeanette. I'm Jessica. I live in Orlando, Florida with my partner Pattie--we've been together almost 2 years. (Still newbies in love...) I'm 38, and have two daughters ages 17 and 14. We've also got a Lasa Opsa doggie, and a 6 toed kitty cat! Florida is a definite RED STATE... it's against the law for gays and lesbians to adopt children here. That is one of the reasons, among many, that Pattie and I are headed north next year. Here in Orlando, and when I lived in Tampa, there is a fair gay community. There are a fair number of gay bars and two lesbian bars. Nothing big. We don't worry when we're out in public; people don't seem to care much that we hold hands. There is a small area of town where there are gay flags waving, and majorily gay businesses---it's only a few blocks long. We do, however, have one of the largest Gay Pride gatherings at Disney in June. There are literally thousands of people who flock to Orlando in June for gay pride! That's really cool! Pattie and I are moving to Toronto, Canada after my oldest daughter starts full time college in January. Toronto has the largest numbers of gay/lesbians in the world! We love it there! There is an entire huge neighborhood that is named the gayborhood. It's where we've been looking for our apartment... You can hold your partners hand, kiss, hug---nobody even looks at you! There is a tremendously active gay/lesbian community center, many gay owned/operated clubs, bars, stores, and it's just a place where you can truly be yourselves and nobody gives a damn! In the entire city, not just the gayborhood, people just don't care. Marriage is legal in every province in Canada. We chose Toronto because we have visited a number of times, met some awesome people who've been instrumental in helping us make the decision to actually move there. Everyone is wonderful; we can't think of anywhere else we'd rather live. Thanks for the thoughtful question, Jessica

Hi jessica, Your plans to move north sound great, Very tempting thats the kinda place I would love to live I love san francisco but to damn expensive canada kinda sounds like the same atmoshpere as san francisco!! is it expensive in canada to live??? well thanks for responding, nice to "meet" you too Im going to walt disney world in march ill miss the event in june aww maybe next year...I stayed away in june I was told it was hurricane season lol I dont need that Take care ~~*jeanette*~~

Hi Jeanette, I live in a small town called Milton in Delaware (or as I like to say...Dela WHERE???). Anyway, my partner Karen and I have been together almost six years. We have a beautiful puppy (10 years old) named Chichi. We have lived here for four years now. We live near Rehoboth, DE., a gay/lesbian resort town. For the most part, Milton is a very friendly and progressive little town. We have had no problems here, and have found the community to be rather "artsy" and open-minded. Of course there are ignorant people here as there are everywhere. We love our little town and have made many wonderful friends. We are also blessed with some wonderful neighbors. Pack up your bags and move the family on down to Milton. Very good school system too! Rosa

Hi rosa, Your community seems nice,the plus is good schools,thats important to me! hows the weather???hows the cost of living??jobs?? Well rosa nice to "meet"you Take care ~~**jeanette**~~

Hi My name is Erin. My partner and I have been together for 7 years now. We had a commitment ceremony in 2000. Nothing legal just some friends and family in a park. We have many animals. We have 3 dogs: a St. Bernard, a st bernard/great pyranees mix ( he is the sweetest dog) and a puppy that is pomeranian and chiwawa( ok I know I spelled it wrong) mix. He is 12 weeks old. I have pics of all them in my profile if you want to see. We have 4 cats as well. We love them all, but will not be adding more anytime soon. I am a student. The college I attend is very gay friendly. It has many "women classes" and always in the classes there is a section about lesbians. As far as the area I live in. I have walked around holding my partner's hand and no one has said a thing. There are a few gay bars around. I am really not sure much about the community here. I was very active in the community when I lived in Pittsburgh, but when I moved here I moved to be with me partner. She does not like bars and things like that. I guess that is enough about me. Have a wonderful day! Erin