Gay Tuscon: Warm & tolerant climes

Photo by artsiamia

Tucson manages to mix the progressive attitudes of a metropolitan community with the friendly, caring atmosphere of a small town, all against the backdrop of the stark Arizona desert beauty. Tucson's rich cultural heritage centers around a unique blend of Native American, Spanish, Mexican and Anglo-American influences. The mixing and matching of these communities is especially noticeable among gays & lesbians, who erect fewer social and cultural barriers to mixed race relationships, dating and friendship, as an appearance at any Tuscon gay bar will readily display. Though Tucson has entrenched socially conservative interests, the American Southwest's libertarian streak general reigns supreme. It has even earned reputation as a "gay-friendly" city, evidenced by its expanding social, cultural and political gay clubs and organizations---and fact that it was the first municipality in Arizona to enact a domestic partner registry law.

Send to Friend Share it on