After living almost the entirety of my life in Alaska, I'm ready to pack up my belongings and move to gayer pastures -- metaphorically speaking. I'm planning on transferring universities and Portland, Denver and Honolulu are all options. I've read that they're all very livable and LGBT friendly, but I'm curious to read some first-hand opinions. I'm aware that this is a very subjective issue, but any input or opinion is greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time!
I'm living in Denver right now and as a gay teenager I haven't really found many opportunities. We are a very LGBT friendly state though and I haven't seen very much discrimination here.
Denver is one of my favorite cities. I mean they're all great for LGBT people, but I'd say of the three, Denver has the most urban vitality. Honolulu is obviously pretty much in paradise, but it's quite expensive to live there, and remember it is isolated. Portland also has a lot going for it. It's definitely something of a liberal hotspot, so I don't imagine you'll have many discrimination problems there. But I don't know, something about it just feels a little lacking to me. The only problem you might have with Denver is that there are a few very conservative places in Colorado. But not really Denver. Honestly, you should go with the campus that feels best to you.
I have never been to Portland or Denver before and don't know a whole lot about them. I have however visited Honolulu several times and it's a great city. Hawaii is one of the most open-minded states in general and I personally would love living there one day. I don't know much about the specifics but I think in general Honolulu is a great choice.
I've been to Honolulu 12 times and every time it just gets more and more fantastic! 25 degrees average pretty much every day, when it rains it's WARM and BEAUTIFUL. It's located on a very beautiful island that is paradise for surfers, golfers, scuba divers, hikers.. etc. I find it to be VERY open-minded, as the locals are all about "Aloha" (means love in Hawaiian language). Lots of gay tourists in Waikiki as well! I've never been to Portland or Denver, so I can't say anything for those cities, but Honolulu definately has my vote!
I don't think you could go wrong with any of them, but some thoughts: Denver, as has been implied, won't give you any trouble, but might not have the largest gay scene in the country. In my mind, for what it's worth, it's a better place to have a partner and kids than be young and have fun. So just a different type of gay benefits, and certainly not a bad place to live. Another fun benefit to living here though - Denver's airport is a MAJOR hub, so it's easy to get lots of cheap and direct flights all over, and outside of, the continent (including Anchorage, if you'll be visiting home very often). Portland is the city to be young and have fun. I've never seen such a distinctive city before, at least inside of the States, and it's near the top of my list of places I'd like to live. It definitely has it's own vibe, and the vibe's a good one (it might even be a little *too* open for some people's tastes - you could make out with another guy in the middle of the streets and people might think, "huh, I wonder if one of those guys is bi?" :lol. I've heard a lot of people who leave Alaska move here, if that's something that interests you. Don't know much about Honolulu but it sounds like people like it! Keep in mind that it will be an expensive place to live though. But hey, if you think it's worth it, go for it. I can't imagine it could be described as anything close to dull.
yeah Denver is a great city. We have a place called Rainbow Alley for teenage homosexuals that acts as a LGBT organization. Unfortunately I never got to go and as of last month am not allowed in, as I recently turned eighteen.
I know this isn't on your list. California. You've got WeHo and although never been - San Fran. There? Tons of gay guys. It's basically communities built for gay people.
Portland would be your most gay friendly option, by far. It's one of the most liberalized cities in the US and right up there with San Francisco and Seattle demographically for % of people openly self-identifying as gay/bisexual (around 10-12% if I remember correctly). I'd highly recommend visiting first, however - Portland has a somewhat non-typical culture, definitely not for everyone (I love it, but I'm strange like that...) It's like a counter-culture feel, but not so much "hippy-like" as having a "punk" or "anarchistic" mood. Real fun if you like "wacky" people or unabashedly revel in your own eccentricity . I've only visited Anchorage briefly, but it definitely seems like Denver would be rather similar culturally. You know, a relatively laid back, mid-western feel, combined with the amenities of being in a city (i.e., you actually have things you can do). Might not be as gay friendly as Portland, but imagine that there's still a decent presence - and it's certainly not anti-gay. Hopefully Lex sees this and chimes in, though, he'd know quite a bit about LGBT presence in Denver, I'd imagine. Wouldn't know what to say about Honolulu, I'm afraid.
All three are beautiful, accepting, and among the most livable cities in the US, so you really can't go wrong. I would certainly be happy in all of them. Portland is about as crunchy granola of a city as you can get, and you'll see sights that make you wonder if they ever got past the grunge era. Very eccentric. Great music scene (several of my favorite bands are based there), hardcore drug scene, very bleeding heart liberal to the point that being gay might actually get you preferential/paternalistic treatment. You should be used to the cloudiness and dreariness of their winters. I haven't been to Honolulu, so I can't really say anything other than it's very expensive and very isolated. Denver is one of my favorite cities. Some of the best skiing and outdoors adventure in the world just a short drive away. Boulder is almost as crunchy as Portland is. Cold and snowy in the winter, but not too cloudy.
Ok just for the weather thing for Oregon, it's not very rainey here. The weather is alright and summers are fantastic. Portland is very gay friendly, a bit weird and hipster but fun! Honolulu I just loved it, I don't know about how accepting it is. No idea abou Denver.
A couple of months ago I was in Denver for a business trip. I was driving near downtown (Think I might have on Colfax) I saw a billboard with two guys and it said "If you care about him get tested" I was rather shocked to see a billboard like that. It is cool that a city is open minded enough that they can put up a billboard promoting safe gay sex. Overall I liked Denver. I think I would be happy living there.
yeah xD in some of our papers and on tv there are tons of ads for gay sex lines, gay escorts, etc. I never really thought about how open minded we are as compared to other cities.
i am from Oregon. Portland has a gay district near Chinatown. It is in heart of dt. Yeah it is considered gay friendly area, but I would not say you won't get beat up or stares. While the west coast is def liberal, it also has a conservative element. Someone said we are not hippie more punk. He must not have lived here. I lived here my whole life! I see verrry few punks! Grunge ended decades ago, its more metro-look now. Not suit and tie, just quality clothes that fit and look nice and popular hair styles, unless you WANT to dress counter culture. THEN there are the streets who dye hair red, purple, pink. It can be Emo, or a bit Goth. As I said, you can also find conservative. Most common attire I see the gay men wear daytime? A tee shirt and tight jeans with basic sporty shoes, and very short clean hair natural color or highlighted. now, what is more important is i think you said you want a good university! PSU no matter what a recruiter says. is overpriced and not best. Just honest. WSU or CWU are good NW schools, but are in tiny conservative Washington towns. if you want a great education, search for a great university for your major 1st, then narrow down by their acceptance of your lifestyle. otherwise you will party like a king, but have a diploma that is worth less than you deserve. hope it helps and message me if you want to know more about our area, good or bad. There is a lot of good.
I live near Portland, and while I think it is very gay friendly... I've never felt entirely safe there. I don't know exactly what it is, but there's still a level of anti-gay animosity hanging about the streets, despite the fact that it's so open-minded and liberal. Still, it's a good city! Very spendy, though. What sort of weather are you looking for? What sort of culture?
i agree 100% with seek sanctuary's post. very accurate. oh, if you get depressed by grey skys and constant drizzle or have allergies to pollen and mold, maybe just visit us, don't move here. if you like weird, that is portland
I don't have much experience with the state at all but Honolulu sounds absolutely amazing to live in in general.
You've all made some excellent points. Thanks for taking the time to reply. I've narrowed my schools down to Denver and Portland -- mainly because I have a dog and getting him through Hawaiian Customs sounds like an enormous pain in the ass. I have a couple of good friends who live in Denver and family/friends in Portland. Either one sound exciting to me and multitudes better than Anchorage, Alaska. Again, thanks for the input everyone.