How gay friendly is Lawrence and Kansas City? (Tina: fit in, dorm)

[920810]

Hello,

I am a going to be a college freshmen in 2011, and I am thinking of attending the University of Kansas. Because I am a homosexual man, I would like to know how gay friendly and liberal Lawrence and Kansas City are before making up my mind on attending KU. I am from the West Cost, so I have no idea how conservative people are in Kansas. And I am also looking for roommate(s), so if you are interested, let me know.

P.s. - I sent couple direct messages to some of the users of City Data, if you are one of them, you do not have to respond to this thread.

Thanks.

[kansas sky]

My feeling is that Lawrence is very open to gay people. I have no idea about Kansas City, but I don't think most people in Kansas care one way or the other as long as you basically act like a decent human being.

[TinaMcG]

I think you'll fit in just fine in KC or Lawrence, but Lawrence is by far, the most progressive and liberal of the two cities.

[lifelongMOgal]

Shouldn't be a problem at KU/Lawrence or KC metro area.

If you are looking at dorm living at KU consider Hashinger Hall.

[kcmo]

Originally Posted by TinaMcG

I think you'll fit in just fine in KC or Lawrence, but Lawrence is by far, the most progressive and liberal of the two cities.

Overall Lawrence might be more liberal than metropolitan Kansas City. But central Kansas City, MO is very liberal and very gay friendly just like most large urban cities are. I would say probably more so than Lawrence because it's so much larger and has more to offer the gay community.

I know some areas of central KCMO have large gay communities. Valentine and Hyde Park come to mind, but much of Midtown has a solid gay community.

My aunt is gay and has lived in Hyde Park for a very long time and she and her partner probably wouldn't live in any other part of KC. Not just because they are gay though, but because they love living in the urban part of the city. But still, they love it and never mention anything about having issues with being openly gay.

I have other gay friends and relatives in KC as well. Mostly in Midtown, but some in the MO suburbs.

I don't think you would have a problem anywhere in metro KC. But central KCMO would probably be the best option. If you want the KS side, then Lawrence would be the best.

I'm sure Johnson County would be fine as well though. Not sure about KCK. That's the oddball city of the metro.

[julesevar]

I do not think you would have any problems, but the gay scene is probably not as big in Lawrence than KC. I went to KU in the mid 1990's and knew lots of lesbians and many gay men in my major alone...good luck to you! I think you would be comfortable there.