How to build a better LGBT community...

[jjsjr]

OK.....
this question is stemmed from my envy of large cities with well established gay communities: NYC, Chicago, San Francisco, etc.

Despite my living in a small city (Wilmington, DE) we have very limited participation in lgbt events and half of that is due to the wealthy conservative mentality of the city itself. But how can I, or a group of us, drum up the motivation of my lgbt community to bring people out. I have yet to see a rainbow flag displayed anywhere, even at gay bars. It's incredibly frustrating.

I've talked to gay organizations around the city and they feel too uncomfortable to step on toes.

So essentially, the gay community of Wilmington is dead and needs help....
How did the big cities do it?

 

[mitchymo]

So essentially, the gay community of Wilmington is dead and needs help....
How did the big cities do it?

Dead? Or Integrated?

I know i would be inclined to turn and run if someone invited me to an LGBT community event that was as colourful as only part of the gay community is.

 

[D_Andreas Sukov]

Just hold fun events that everyone can enjoy. I have my issues with the LGBT society at uni but, as a straight guy, they have made me feel very welcome to come out on there events. Get a few other people who are interested in building on the Community and talk about how you could. If you live in a smaller town, a big city plan is not for you...

 

[EagleCowboy]

How about getting the LG T to recognize the B part of the title and actually accept and include us instead of using the "B" because they're legally required to.

By doing so, there will be a *MUCH* bigger group. Bigger groups = results!!

As it stands now, we are made to feel quite alienated by the LG T.

 

[B_Nick4444]

So essentially, the gay community of Wilmington is dead and needs help....
How did the big cities do it?

the big cities have no communities -- just an anonymous collective anomie of the maladjusted rejects from the rest of the country

contrary to your description, it sounds like you have an actual solid community

 

[ubered]

I agree with Mitchy (again). :tongue:

If Wilmington is the kind of place where people just get on with what they want to do/be, then rainbow flags just don't sound necessary.

 

[ericbythebay]

The big cities have a critical mass of people. No matter the event, someone is interested.

 

[D_Humper E Bogart]

Or, big cities don't give a fuck. I live in a Muslim area. There is a gay pub across from where I live. SHOOP DA FUCKIN' WOOP!

Eventually somebody decided that gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people were, I dunno, actual people, and decided to just let people be people.

 

[mitchymo]

I agree with Mitchy (again). :tongue:

Yes, you've been agreeing with me a lot lately, i think that is a sign you need to stick a thermometer under your tongue, go lie down and have Bardak bring you some warm milk. (note:-that last was'nt a euphomism)

 

[ubered]

Yes, you've been agreeing with me a lot lately, i think that is a sign you need to stick a thermometer under your tongue, go lie down and have Bardak bring you some warm milk. (note:-that last was'nt a euphomism)

:biggrin1:

 

[SteveT]

How about getting the LG T to recognize the B part of the title and actually accept and include us instead of using the "B" because they're legally required to.

By doing so, there will be a *MUCH* bigger group. Bigger groups = results!!

As it stands now, we are made to feel quite alienated by the LG T.

I think this shows the danger of constructs like "LGBT". In effect it means "anything other than conventional straight". I use "conventional" advisedly.

The reality is that the L, G, B and T parts of 'LGBT' each have differences from one another. This is a good thing. Diversity is to be encouraged, rather than trying to pigeon hole everyone into the "I am not conventionally straight" LGBT one size fits all category.

 

[jjsjr]

*bump*

My city is currently voting on a brand new mayor... and hopefully we can use this as impetus to reinvigorate the community as well!

 

[nudeyorker]

Well since you are voting a new mayor then maybe use the current economic situation of the country, your state and your city and get business owners involved with putting Wilmington on the map as a gay friendly destination and the revenue it could potentially add to the local and state economy. Unfortunately money talks right now. Get everyone involved from education to local and state wide politics and business... Can Delaware afford to lose one dollar of revenue because the LGBT community does not want to visit and spend money? Maybe use this as a guide rather than a rule... Hawaii and the LGBT Community

 

[joshnosh]

raising hands and shouting "we're here and we're queer!" isn't enough these days, methinks, to bring people out. it's kind of "yeah, so what?"

maybe also "the Community" wouldn't benefit from being boldly visible in the same ways as before. pride marches can be fun, but maybe a better community builder would be sponsoring/organizing a greenmarket or a service project to wash vandalized buildings and clean up a neighborhood (or five).

if your goal is to bring people together and improve visibility, put an LGBTQII Day of Service on the front page of The News Journal. "Ask not what Wilmington can do for the Community, but what the Community can do for Wilmington."

 

[redneckgymrat]

Can't believe I'm agreeing with some of the posters here, but yes. Full agreement.

Why is it your intention to bring extra attention to the LGBTQIA community, and set it visibly APART from the general population? Isn't the best way to integrate, to integrate openly?

I wholeheartedly second the idea for community service projects. Great idea.

 

[matelalique]

Wilmington seems to be very poorly placed - close enough to the DC and Philly scenes that most of your audience would question why ... and then Rehoboth. Now, Providence RI offers Boston gays a chance to bathhouses (unavailable in Boston).

As a frequent traveller for work, I became well versed in finding gay bars in odd places I was visiting. Basically an online presence is far more meaningful than a rainbow flag outside - that is how non-locals will find you rather than walking down a very specific street in a strange city. You find one, and you find them all. Good luck.

 

[Exbiker]

Hmm.

I live in Southeast England.

Some distance ( about 20 miles ) from the edge of London. I rarely go into the city.

However -

• I'm a member of a local gym where about 20/30% of the other members know I'm gay, and don't care at all.
• I can wear pretty much whatever I like, whenever I like, wherever I like. Ditto music, film, book tastes etc.
• I sometimes socialise with straight people, and sometimes with gay people, and it doesn't matter.
• I haven't had any prejudice in employment, or buying goods or services, for about 10 years.
• A couple of years ago, about 10% of the guests at my civil partnership ceremony were gay...

I'm not entirely sure how rainbow flags would improve my life ???

:wink: