I wouldn't say that this state is friendly to/for anyone other than white, middle-aged and hopefully male, straight-acting, republican mormons without a lot of university education and zero ecological or political concern.

There are a few less-hateful places in central phoenix (and definitely Tucson!) but nowhere welcoming if you're a POC.

Most of the gays that I've come across are content with a "lifestyle" that isn't officially recognized, or that is 'downlow' and are not out or just out to close friends or other gays in the community. (That I want and think everyone is deserving of human rights, like *yesterday* has/does put more than a few people off--but I am not *from* here. ;) )

The phx GLBTIQ center is a tiny store front in a strip mall. The state just implemented a law that bans ethnic studies and also *requires* the police to stop and question anyone they suspect to be in arizona "illegally" --without any clear guidelines as how to enforce this law without 'racial profiling'. ...And today it's 115 degrees.

Where are you moving *from*?

I was concerned with the Mormon influence before I moved to AZ. I really met it 'head on' when I live in White Mountains region and Prescott area. Yes I would agree as apretty stated there is more a 'down low' community in the Phoenix area. As far as women's club there is only one identified as in the Phoenix area such in the Phoenix.

But to AZ's credit, more so here in other states, I've lived there is a large mixed gay crowd in most bars and hetro/gay places. However, I am not much for bars as a place for meeting people.

AZ has elected and appointed officals that are outwardly gay.

QoS

I was not agreeing with 'apretty' about the 'anti' statements she made about the Mormons. My experience with Mormon saturated areas in Central AZ, has more to do with the practices of female suppression and refusing jobs to persons who were not Mormon. I have not met with that attitude in Phoenix or west valley. But then again, if you moved into a Quaker or Amish community you would most likely meet the same thing. (ok I may be chewing my toes now). On the contrary, my neighbor who is also Hispanic and Mormon was the first to greet me to the neighborhood when I moved in my house 2yrs ago. My friends that are RLDS donot hold the same interpretation of the beliefs as do LDS. I donot believe in putting people including gays in boxes. I have come to understand, people acquire wisdom through environment, experience and dimension of their lives.

I apologize if gave any other impression.

i disagree with this but only from my personal expierances.. i moved here from the san francisco bay area and was pleasantly suprised how friendly people were to me.. from the biker bars to strangers in the park. if i didnt push my bizz on them they didnt push theres on my and were very friendly. i never try to push my lifestyle-religon- or morals on anyone and if im treated with the same respect i consider it a grat day. no way would i expect a new aquintance to fully understand where ive been or what makes me who i am.

to clarify, i didn't make any "anti" statements about mormons.

to be clear, i could detail my disdain for mormons in about 40 different ways (from their political involvement to the high mormon gay teen suicide/homeless stats) it's just that no one was asking my take religion, in this particular thread.

i did summarize my arizona experience.


Queenofsmirks-- You should see Prop 8: The mormon proposition --It played here in a single theatre for all of a week.

well all i can say is i dont have kids in the school system but i did work the first three years i lived here i was fairly lucky with the work i found other then a couple places that were way under paid due to the alility to hire cheap labor in this state. i am retired now and have ssdi an a full pension from a union job in calif.. the one thing i do not like about this state is that it is a right to work state and i strongly believe in the unions.
i am out 24/7 where ever i go and have had no problems here. i have been in what were suposed to be openly gay state and have been beat, knived shot at and yelled at from car windows just for my appearance. being very much male id ed.. with my driver lisence showing my true name that is very girly my trouble usually will start at that point when i have to show id.. but i have never thought or even tried to pull of the male roll and im sure people are not just always assuming im male... all i can say is that i have never encountered the same problems like i have in san francisco, chiago, bronx, portland.= or other larger citys i have lived in or worked in. but then i also got along well in oklahoma city and tulsa. people have the right to live where ever they want.
as far as what i mean by pushing my bizz on others.. it was meant as i do not go into a straight bar and make out with my girl friend.... i dont do that in public ever not matter where im at. but i do introduce my date or g/f as such i dont hide it but i dont push it either.. introduction and let it be. if someone is allowed to act an ass i let them unless i have femme company then i simply take myself and her elsewhere. am i afraid .. no way at 5'10 225 lbs mostly muscel and have obviously walked alot of roads people dont generaly fuck with me. if i am missing you point please excuse me .. grrr i have been taking pain killers for dental work.. but i think im responding correctly. i also believe people have the right to there opinions.. all i can say when i hear people complain about where they live then move! for me i love it here.. all except the "to hot to even ride days"
i may have been very lucky in my employment one of my employers was a trucking company that had two tg- mtf's driving for them and had no problem with them wearinf there female id to any company funtions or anywhere else they were not treated any diffrently then anyone else.. yes some of the other drivers disc'd them but only under there breath. if they want to continue work there they had to keep it to themselfs. and this is one of the largest companys in az. every state is going to have its good and bad just like every employer is going to have its workers and its slackers. it all part of life and being able to accept other for who they are with out judgement. yes az has a problem with illeagles and the crime that is brought from it. but they are trying to find ways to deal with it. i dont alway agree with the way the state handles it but sometimes i do. i am not at that level politicly and i am glad those decisions are not made my just one person but made by votes and majority feelings of the people that live here. do i agree maybe,, do i disagree maybe. some yes and some no. i do vote and that is my part of the job.. am i going to toss fits because things are not how i want them no i will either learn to live with majority, keep my mouth shut or leave.

EzeeTiger and pretty,

Have a safe trip. Much happinees in your new beginning. May the winds be behind you and the sun kiss our faces.

thanks very much!!!

(if only everything would FIT in our relo-cubes)

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...hblog/move.jpg

Thought Arizoners Might Like To Know This:
 

un blievable... and i think last summer they just opened hospital visits and rights to same sax couples.. i must have been mistaken when i thought in time this state would be going in a positive direction.

Being a state employee...I know all to well of how a governor can alter my benefits...
As a state employee we are not allowed to picket or give our opinions o the media.
This is the same in all states not just AZ. We depend on concerned citizens o be our voice. So if the people of the state don't stand up and vote...we are all screwed (state employees and private citizens alike).

Good Morning AZ

How are ya'll holding out in this 'steam bath'? Stay inside and drink plenty of water!

as far as the heat yikes!!! i have decided this is my last summer on the shouth side... moving north.
i wish this state would be more unionized.. yes the union has problems but at least you know things are not going to change do to a higher ups mood of the day.

aww not in the phoenix area... i think of the north side along the I40 around flagstaff. as far as phoenix area the farest north you can get will be cooler. but just think the winters in the valley are great!! im just tired of the summers here. even the east side is a bit cooler then the west.

yep according to my GF in Mesa its about 5-10degrees cooler there(eastside). More rain over that way too. I like the Valley except in summer. But it's a tradeoff, I'll take the heat over the cold anyday. I am real whimpy about being cold. Even air conditioning below 80 degrees, My roommates like it around 72, freezes me out. Burrr.
QOS you need to come visit anytime but Summer which is not for the weak!

yea im on the west side now but just landed a house up between flagstaff and kingman... ill be way out of the heat and a lil cold in the winter,, but my thought is ... you can always put on more clothes you can ony take off so many before they take you to jail!

Yipee QoS!

Where are you going to live? 6wks will start cool down here and the monsoon season probably be over. :) We'll definitely need to get together.

I used to live in Tempe. I liked it.....its been years, but I remember drinking on ASU's mountain that overlooks the stadium and raising hell along Camelback Road.

Yep,

Tempe-home of ASU. Definitely a college town, plenty of fast foods and dance clubs.
Less expensive housing too. Tempe Town Lake dam broke a couple of weeks ago big loss of income for Tempe. Projecting to have it repaired by Nov.when Snowbirds return.

Tempe also just opened a huge Aquarium. I havent seen it yet, but looks great. My 2 fav (so far) aquariums - Monterey Bay and Chicago.

You would probably due well (health wise ) considering hot/cold issue. Prescott, Cottonwood, Sedona, ShowLow, Payson. They are the Central Band of AZ. The weather is a 4 seasons area, but not the tempature extremes. However, it is a trade off for cultural and community(each is at least 1 1/2 hrs from Phoenix or Flagstaff).

Have you visited AZ? You really should visit in Summer so you can check out different regions during the Monsoon season June to Sept (worse weather July/Aug). I vacationed in AZ for 5yrs several regions coming different times of the year before I moved here. I think there is something for everyone here-snow, mountains, and desert. You're welcome to come anytime. :)

New to the forum, just wanted to shout-out from Phoenix, 5th largest city in the US.... um, ah, where the heck is everyone??

PM sent to Queenofsmirks re your impending move here. When people razz you about it being hotter than hell here just tell them this winter you'll be in flip-flops and shorts when they are freezing their hineys off. Oh, and that you don't have to shovel sunshine! :p

Hey AZ ~~

I have been xtremely preoccupied with home repair and debugging my computer. I am looking forward to meeting you Compare to Whom. Am in Glendale...you?

Q of S...when you moving chick-a-dee?

I totally relate! When I moved away from my family and friends by myself to AZ in 2000, I freaked as well. For awhile, I questioned my logic...but after I made friends and moved around the state I realize that this is where I was meant to be. I will certainly be happy to help you get familar with the area. I work longhours during the week but I have weekends off. Just let me know when. I'll pm my cell#.

PS I generally visit once or twice a year...LOL