I'm looking for a queer perspective on Indiana, particularly the Bloomington area.  My girlfriend and I might be moving there in August, and I want to know what it is like for gay folks, in particular a bisexual couple.  Is the city/region liberal or judgemental?  How about stuff like gay bars or liberal coffee houses?  Is it the kind of place where I would have to worry about being bashed?  Any and all you can tell would be helpful.
133103
Howdy!  I currently live in Bloomington and my partner and I are both bi.  The university community is the San Francisco of the midwest, the rest of the town is pretty liberal compared to the rest of Indiana.  Bloomington is a blast and pretty safe.  You can usually find us dancing at Bullwinkle's on Friday night, and you can sip away with fellow liberals at Soma coffee house.  Let me know if you need a tour guide!
262639
My mums garden, they love it and they are extremely gay all of the time. Go to Devon, past Okehampton turn left off of the a30, take the next right, drive for exactly 4.2 miles, turn left, nr 12 holly field road, say I sent you. Bring all of your gay mates she will love it. Can you perform YMCA for her as it is her favourite tune. My dad will no doubt join in as he is really gay too. \n\nGood luck mate.
264779
Very smart to post a question like this!!  I'm in Sheboygan, and it's a nice place here.  It would help to know more about you, but assuming you're just an average joe, there is a lot going on here.  Just a few off the top of my head ... if you have Google Earth, you can plug our city in and see that we have a good mix of urban and rural areas.  The western part of the county has a lot of open spaces.  Sheboygan itself has a lot of business and job opportunites, especially for a city of 50,000.  Still good manufacturing jobs here, believe it or not.  And of course, Lake Michigan is a beautiful sight!  If you go to photobucket.com, and punch in Sheboygan, I'm sure you'll see a lot of photos.  The lake is accessible to everyone.  Local politics is kind of a downside, because there is a lot of hostility between certain people, but most of us find it entertaining.  Sheboygan-Press.com is the local newspaper.  Many stories online to read!!  Tell me more about you (career,age,etc), and I'll put in my 2 cents about whether it's a good fit.  I read the part about 5 kids, the schools here always get high national ratings ... and Sheboygan was rated Best Place to Raise a Family a few years ago too by a national publication.
609472
I wish you a lot of luck and strength in your search! These websides might help:\n\nhttp://www.indiana.edu/~overseas/lesbigay/resourcesafrica.htm\n\nhttp://www.ilga.org/news_results.asp?LanguageID=1&FileCategory=1&FileID=756\n\nhttp://www.mask.org.za/
580094
I'll be there - check out some of the events geared toward women - Friday night at Park Tavern is the angel party - wear wings and beat the line; Saturday there are a few parties - My Sister's Room (local lesbian bar); Red Chair Atlanta is having a Girl Party and the official Peach Party is at Vinyl/Loft with Curve Magazine and special guests.  Also, check out the Dyke March on Saturday too - it will be tons of fun - just plan to be hot and hydrate often!
584087
Kinsey's studies showed that there are very few people who are 100% straight or 100% gay. I've been out of the closet since I was 18 (I'm 37 now). I've never been with a man, but I do occassionally have fantasies about them...and I do find them attractive. However I still identify myself as a lesbian...though I occassionally will question it myself. It's hard when there are social pressures that you have to be one or the other, but (as Kinsey's studies showed) you really don't have to be and perhaps aren't by nature. It's possible that you may be bisexual. And, really, does it matter? There is no rule that says you should or shouldn't be with a man if you're curious.It's ok to be gay, straight, or bi...just  be yourself...and be truly honest with yourself. Don't pressure yourself either way.
588314
I grew up in Ky. too Paducah and I lived in Ok. and IL. Ive Been to Tx, MI, In, FL, WI, Jamacia, Domincan Republic. The Friendlist place is the one where I grew up and always love to visit Paducah, Kentucky. The worst Joliet , IL RUDE PEOPLE!!
167837
and this is the beginning of how resentment gets started:  \nsince gays get their events, when do 'straights' get theirs?\n\nhow far will you let it go?  since there's an african american pride month, should there be a 'year of the caucasian' too?  does the existence of an event recognizing ONE group imply that EVERYONE should have their special day?\n\nlive and let others live too.  if someone wants to have their fun, LET them.  be above it, please.  \n\nhelp them celebrate, if you like.  ignore it, if you don't. tolerate!
415319
Why would anyone choose a difficult life?  Especially when it would be so easy according to straight people to "choose to be straight."  If so, I have a question for them.  Why don't they CHOOSE TO BE GAY?  See all those emotions running through you straights right now?  That's how we feel.  We feel "how can we change, if we could, wouldn't we?  Same as straights who are asked to think gay."  They find it incomprehensible to think about men, as I do about women.  Its just not normal for me, sorry, does that sound like a choice or something I'm stuck with?  I cannot remember feeling anything other way from the age of 5 on up.  The men were always attractive the women were always the nice ones.  So, while it may be a choice for some, it was not for me.  The very idea that I could have CHOSE this life is laughable.
474786
Yes, its still very gay friendly.  Straights have started going there and as mentioned before, both the visitors and the city's tourist industry has begun to "upscale" a bit.\n\nDozens of guest houses cater to the gay community, and almost all others are gay friendly.\n\nLink below might be of help.
609723
It has certainly been eventful!  I hope you found something in my/our responses to make you consider your position and outlook on the GLBT community, in general.\n\nI daresay we'll "cross swords" again\n\nMy day is nearly over - enjoy yours.
414765
I'm straight but I have alot of gay friends.  I like to answer questions in this category for three reasons:  1) the questions are usually more interesting than in alot of other categories, 2) to show my support and 3) I like to try to give helpful advice particularly to young gay people who are struggling.  I have a theory about these "heteros" who constantly bash, harass and make disparaging remarks about gay people.  To me the ones that scream the loudest in their opposition to homosexuality are either religious zealots or self-loathing, paranoid closet queens.  Most straight people, even ones uncomfortable with homosexuality, don't make such a big deal about it.
655657
Are there erotic stores that are gay only?\n\nI'm thinking ANY erotic store can service homo/hetero needs!
601936
I'm an older girl.....34....but am VERY curious about how teens deal with being gay/lesbian. I didn't come out until 2 yrs ago and didn't have to go through all the hard stuff as a kid/teen. How do you handle the dating scene? I can't imagine it. I'd have been scared to death to ask someone out for fear they'd 1) reject me and then 2) cause me no end of hell in school for it. Would love to know your thoughts on this! Send me a message if you'd like to share!     :- )
659307
I grew up in rural KY. Married a girl from my class - had a child got divorced - came out of the closet - got custody of my child, met my husband (we have now been together 16 years) and I am planning my 20th year HS reunion myself - it is 1 Jul 06.  I am having a great time - life is wonderufl and I could not ask for more.  My spouse is not intersted in going so I am taking my best friend of 15 years - another gay guy.\n\nGo have a great time - from what I can tell after 20 years people have learned a lot about life and they just want to reconnect and have a nice evening, don't miss your chance to do the same!  \n\nRemember it is Gay PRIDE!
575811
"The Gay Agenda" ? Have not read it nor have I ever seen it...interesting though. However, I am Gay and have been with my Partner, registered as we live in California,  for 10 years. Our agenda is to raise our 9 year old son, who is, by the way,  an honor student for all of you right wing crackpots out there,  and be a happy family. We work, do laundry, homework, take vacations, cleanhouse, spend time with Grandmas, Grandpas, cousins, Aunts and Uncles...not really exciting as far as an "agenda" goes. I'd say it's pretty much the same agenda a heterosexual family would have...I was raised in one you know.
559861
So, since I'm gay, and apparently that means I'm mentally handicapped...Do I get to use those freakin' awesome parking spaces that are so close to the entrance of most stores?  Like walmart.  Damn, parking sucks there.  I could so use this on them.  Eee!  I'm excited!\n\nIt really is a bunch of BS, and goes to show how anti-gay our military really is.  Next thing you know, they'll say it's a contagious mental disease, and they'll say they don't want all of the army turning gay, having sex instead of fighting, and leaving all their families back home.  Ah well.  At least I win in the end, with my awesome parking spaces.