Marketing Tulsa to the Gay Community (StayOnTopic)

[TURobY]

One question. Gay infrastructure?

In other words, we have the amenities to attract gays. Our BLGT nightlife is actually pretty strong (even better than some of the larger cities). Additionally, we have plenty of cultural assets, including museums, theatre, etc. Those kinds of things (while they do appeal to other demographics as well) are what I would consider our "gay infrastructure".

[sgrizzle]

Okay, just wanted to clarify.

[TheArtist]

In other words, we have the amenities to attract gays. Our BLGT nightlife is actually pretty strong (even better than some of the larger cities). Additionally, we have plenty of cultural assets, including museums, theatre, etc. Those kinds of things (while they do appeal to other demographics as well) are what I would consider our "gay infrastructure".

What other larger cities would you say that our nightlife scene is as strong as or better than? Last time I was in Wichita, it almost had a comparable gay nightclub scene to ours lol. The only other city I have really been out in is Dallas, and of course we cant even begin to compare to their district, heck, Brookside and Cherry Street combined couldnt compare to their gay district.  

I think we could have had a great gay district, but for some reason the gay people here do the same thing the straight people do. Everything is scattered all over the place and not centralized in order to build on that type of synergy. Majestic and 209 are near each other. But the Western/Cowboy bar is clear on the other side of town, Renegades on the opposite side of downtown, the Pride Center is off in yet another section of downtown, and the other little bars are also scattered in various places around the city. I was kind of perterbed that the Pride Center went where it did. Its one of the largest in the US due to some great financial backing from some wealthy patrons, library, game room, computer/cyber room, lounge/tv areas, studio space, offices for different organizations, meeting rooms, etc. etc.  But if it had been next to 209 or Majestic, had a sidewalk cafe with it,,, right there we could have had the makings of a small, gay friendly area. I should add in Lolas and the art galleries they are gay friendly too.

On the one hand having a gay friendly district can be a plus, but on the other, as we become more "integrated" and "normalized" lol, any great neighborhood or district will do.

Contrary to our urban myth and pride, our museum offerings are actually kinda meager. (though hopefully improving thank goodness) I remember some ranking a while back of the "best places to live" type, in which things like museums, number of museums, colleges, etc. were compared. We typically had at best, half the number of museums that other comparable cities have. And we all know the situation with our colleges. Or lack there of I should say. Now I love Philbrook and its beautiful, but its a tiny museum. Gilcrease has a great collection,,, but its a very out-dated and even depressing facility stuck out in the woods. Then what do you have after that?  If a city has good museums, thats a definite bonus. But they aren't the sole reason I would move to or visit. The art museum in downtown Dallas was pretty lame imo, I wouldn't bother going there twice, but do like visiting Dallas cause there are a lot of various things to see and do. Santa Fe had attractions and art galleries, but not a big art museum or theaters.  Now KC has some knockout museums and Denver as well....

I would go to either of those places, partly to see those museums, but not just to see them. There has to be multiple good reasons. Multiple lackluster reasons and no urban core aint gonna hack it.     

  When I think of cities like Denver, Dallas or Austin,,, or Tucson and Santa Fe, I can see that there are actually different demographic tendencies present in the gay community which are similar to the same types of stereotypes one finds in the straight community. The gays in Dallas are known for being a little more "money centric" there is a lot of "Its all about money and how much you can make", flash and showing it off, wanting to have lots to see and do, hustle bustle. Austin is more artsy/funky, young and pretty boy crowd. Denver,,, check out Connexion one of the gay dating sites from Denver, talk about some fit looking people. They make the typical gay Tulsan look like fat, out of shape blobs. Look at the profiles, every other one mentions that they like to do outdoors stuff like skiing, hiking, biking, camping, etc. Tucson/Santa Fe, more laid back artsy crowd, big arts scenes, beautiful scenery, pedestrian friendly core etc..

So here again... we go right back to the same ol thing of "Whats Tulsas identity?" What our calling card, our attraction? Out of shape conservative people and sprawl, pretty quiet neighborhoods where its a great place to raise a family? Which also hearkens back to, no good urban lifestyle areas. We offer great suburban living options, but no real urban ones. Yet.  

Straight or gay, we have some great potential, decent amount of this and that scattered here and there, but no big focus or identity,,, or core. Hopefully that's changing with the Brady District and its arts focus. We get a kewl, fun, funky, lively, urban area going and a lot of people, gay and straight will be attracted to it. Then the other assets we have like the river, museums, gay clubs, etc. will be icing on that cake.

[cannon_fodder]

Well, I can certainly agree Artist, that for whatever reason Tulsa loves to have things scattered around.

Zoo
Tulsa Air and Space
Aquarium
Gilcrease
Philbrook
Jazz Museum
Arena
Expo
Jewish Museum

Brookside
Cherry Street
Brady/Blue Dome

For whatever reason we just refuse to make an entertainment district.

This seems to hold true for the "gay scene."  If Pride would have located in the Brady and another gay bar it would be the best "gay district" between Dallas and Minneapolis (I think, not claiming to be an expert).  Certainly a foundation for a gay friendly urban neighborhood.  All those well dressed people walking around checking out art galleries and being all gay and what now.   

There are bigger concerns to me than being gay friendly.  It goes to city planning, the perception and reality of tolerance, and opportunities provided to all people.  I really don't care if you are homo or hetero and the underlying issues here are the same.  A welcoming community that provides options and opportunities to a wide range of peoples (gay, straight, immigrant, Native, educated or uneducated, whatever . . .). 

[Gold]

One question. Gay infrastructure?

Well, we certainly can't seem to pay for our roads and bridges, so I would guess that our gay roads and bridges are also struggling.

Seriously though, I think for being located in Oklahoma, Tulsa is pretty hip on social issues and that includes our GLBT community.  Yeah, there are some people with weirdo agendas from time to time (Bob Enyart, you still suck).  But, for the most part, people have a live and let live attitude.

That said, I don't understand what would enhance Tulsa's gay tourism anymore than what would enhance it's tourism overall, other than making the city as nice as possible.  And I'm not really certain tourism needs to be a priority for us at all.  If people visit, great.  But, I think we should be more focused on making it a comfortable community for new business development while also making sure we can provide good options for education and the less fortunate.

[mr.jaynes]

Then again, if one had to choose between tourism to say, the Castro District, Hotlanta, or a circuit party in say, Houston, how ya gonna lure 'em to Tulsa?

[TheArtist]

Then again, if one had to choose between tourism to say, the Castro District, Hotlanta, or a circuit party in say, Houston, how ya gonna lure 'em to Tulsa?

I doooont think thats the crowd we want to attract lol.

[mr.jaynes]

I doooont think thats the crowd we want to attract lol.

Hey, it's tourism......

[Conan71]

Then again, if one had to choose between tourism to say, the Castro District, Hotlanta, or a circuit party in say, Houston, how ya gonna lure 'em to Tulsa?

I consider myself somewhat fluent in gayspeak, but "circuit party"

Dare I ask?

[TURobY]

I consider myself somewhat fluent in gayspeak, but "circuit party"

Dare I ask?

It's just a party, usually held at a club or set of clubs. Honestly, it's nothing all that special.