Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive (Post 2303202)

I"m sure such organizations exist here. TV is a community of 150,000 folks, more or less, who come here and are representative of a large cross-section of America. Shouldn't be too hard to find.

One heads-up though...whatever welcome an LGBT person might find (or not) here in TV, don't expect it to be shared by the surrounding community. Aside from The Villages, this is a VERY rural Bible-belt part of Florida, deep South in every respect. TV is referred to as "The Bubble" for a very good reason. This is an artificial community of transplants and does NOT represent the mores' or the culture of this geographical area as a whole.

Originally Posted by Blackbird45 (Post 2303071)

I worked in a profession where it was known for being predominantly gay and some of my best friends were gay. I doubt there is a gay male social club here in TV. Not all, but there are many who live here who be in an uproar if one existed.

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive (Post 2303202)

I"m sure such organizations exist here. TV is a community of 150,000 folks, more or less, who come here and are representative of a large cross-section of America. Shouldn't be too hard to find.

One heads-up though...whatever welcome an LGBT person might find (or not) here in TV, don't expect it to be shared by the surrounding community. Aside from The Villages, this is a VERY rural Bible-belt part of Florida, deep South in every respect. TV is referred to as "The Bubble" for a very good reason. This is an artificial community of transplants and does NOT represent the mores' or the culture of this geographical area as a whole.

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby (Post 2303279)

Actually, there is a pretty vocal and "out" LGBTQ++ contingency in the area outside The Villages. Here's their Facebook page:

Log into Facebook | Facebook

and their website:

Home | Lake County Pride

Situational awareness seems to be a lost art around here. But they're out there, and you'd notice if you opened your eyes, mind, and heart, and took a good look.

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby (Post 2303279)

Actually, there is a pretty vocal and "out" LGBTQ++ contingency in the area outside The Villages. Here's their Facebook page:

Log into Facebook | Facebook

and their website:

Home | Lake County Pride

Situational awareness seems to be a lost art around here. But they're out there, and you'd notice if you opened your eyes, mind, and heart, and took a good look.

Originally Posted by JMintzer (Post 2303283)

Or... No one actually cares, so they don't notice...

Originally Posted by Two Bills (Post 2303297)

Boris Becker did. It cost him a fortune!

Originally Posted by graciegirl (Post 2303301)

I hate meanness and I so dislike baiting posts. We have lived here for almost twenty years now, and right from the beginning I could see that if a person was looking to move here and be with gay people that they would know exactly how to contact understanding and accepting folks before establishing themselves here.

This is a wonderful place to live and it has quite a variety of residents. Almost anyone can find a group of like thinking people.

I will warn everyone that we are mostly old. And we are mostly law abiding and try to take care of our homes and possessions and that we like to be around other old people with all kinds of interests except those who have decided early on that they want everyone to think alike.

This is a danged fine place and most of us are danged fine people. Good people. Kind people. Retired from a successful life people. People who are careful with money and careful with investments. It is a well run community with opportunities for just about anyone to bloom.

Welcome home.

Originally Posted by GoRedSox! (Post 2303097)

The reason that there are no straight parades or flags is because they have not had to organize and fight for basic freedoms.

Those who are not straight did not have marriage equality until very recently.

There were no laws to protect them from discrimination in the workplace.

There had no legal protections when businesses refused to provide services or they faced discriminatory practices, such as trying to get a loan or a mortgage.

The list was endless.

And anyone who thinks that those rights can’t be taken away in the current climate in this country is foolish. Supreme Court Justices said when Roe v. Wade was repealed that repealing marriage equality is on the table.

Women had similar struggles in this country, but people don’t look upon them the same way. Suffragettes had parades. They co-opted words and slogans and made flags. Women could not vote until 1920. And that did not end the fight for equality. My mother had to leave teaching in the public schools when she became pregnant with me because once a teacher became visibly pregnant, she had to go on (unpaid) leave.

Civil rights also had parades and slogans. That’s what a a minority suffering discrimination and inequality does to raise awareness, show solidarity and support, and fight for equal rights.

Our ancestors did the same thing when they all faced discrimination as immigrants. They formed organizations and held parades.

I hope the original poster finds what he’s looking for. I have been happily married to a wonderful woman for many years and am very fortunate. I never had to face anything like what I’ve read here. If I kiss my wife or hold her hand, no one says I am thrusting my choices in their faces.