Louise Lopez expertly guides queer individuals to vibrant, inclusive U.S. and North American neighborhoods with 15+ years of dedicated experience, ensuring they find not just a home, but a community where their authenticity is celebrated and protected.
As you contemplate a potential move to a new locale, one of the foremost considerations that may cross your mind is how hospitable the locals are to those who identify as LGBTQ+ and endeavor to live an authentic life. Regrettably, this remains a salient issue in our contemporary world, and it warrants thoughtful consideration.
To help queer folx who are considering moving to Gay Connecticut, we have put together this guide from experts on the ground, considering the pros and cons of life here, discussing LGBT rights in Connecticut and whether Connecticut embraces our community.
We also take a look at the most gay-friendly cities in Connecticut, and LGBT community organizations in Connecticut that you should be aware of!
You could say that Connecticut is a little more open-minded, liberal, and welcoming than many other states because it was the second state in the country to legalize gay marriage.
Laws exist in the state to combat discrimination and prejudice against the LGBT community, hate crimes based on gender identity or sexual orientation are illegal in the state, and transgender people can amend their birth certificates even if they haven’t undergone gender reassignment surgery.
Additionally, state employees’ same-sex partners are eligible for full benefits. If you’re a member of the LGBT community and are thinking about moving to Connecticut, you’ve come to the right place.
Anyone, particularly those that belong to the LGBT community and are thinking of moving to a new location, wants to know that this new place will offer them the safety, the amenities they deserve, the lifestyle, and the community they need to thrive.
Luckily, Connecticut is a welcoming state. Even though it’s not California and none of its towns can match up to San Francisco or New York City, the state loves the LGBT community.
Just considering how West Hartford’s Amethyst, Hartford’s Robin Fierce and Ansonia’s Loosey LaDuca all represented Connecticut on Season 15 of RuPaul’s Drag Race might lead you to consider it one of the gayest places on Earth. It isn’t – but if you’ve been thinking of moving here, the guide we’ve put together will help you decide whether or not this beautiful state is for you.
To help reduce the stress of your potential relocation further, we recommend engaging a gay realtor in Connecticut early in the process to help you find your new perfect home there. They will have up-to-the-minute information on the best cities and areas for LGBT people and be able to match your needs to a neighborhood most suited to you.
You can just start with a no-obligation conversation, and if you decide to continue with your move to Connecticut – they will not only have your best interests at heart but also ensure you are treated with dignity and respect throughout the entire process.
In this article we will cover...
Highlights Of Moving To Gay Connecticut
It’s hard not to get enthusiastic about the unique and tempting proposition that moving to Connecticut presents – especially once you get chatting with residents and long-time locals in the know about all their state’s hidden gems and best-kept secrets. After all, this is why many chose to live here.
Once you move here, you should quickly befriend locals, let them ‘spill the tea’ and then spend your free time discovering the best sights, food, nature and culture Connecticut has to offer. On top of this, thanks to an offbeat yet deeply engaged LGBT community – which congregates at a few fabulous queer hot spots – securing a relocation to Connecticut should allow you to meet local queer people with similar interests.
We are certain locals will have many more to add, but to get you excited, here are just a few highlights to look forward to as you become Connecticut’s newest denizen.
Out- Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival
Few things scream- gay-friendly- as a state that has its own LGBTQ Film Festival. Connecticut hosts the OUT Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival each year in Hartford. The event’s goal is to showcase applause-worthy LGBTQ cinema and other events all through the year, which then climaxes into a nine-day film festival.
This springtime event—the oldest film festival in Connecticut—holds a unique place in the state’s cultural landscape because it draws people together to celebrate, recognize, and rediscover the ideas and values that set the LGBTQ community apart.
In addition, Queer Thursdays, a monthly film series that is normally shown on the second Thursday of the month, is produced by Out Film CT in association with Cinestudio.
The first festival, which inaugurated the actual event, took place in 1988. However, it was a member of a bigger group called Alternatives, and they staged things like plays. They had a literary magazine, which provided the LGBTQ community with a chance to share some creative work with the public.
Lots Of Queer Spaces
It’s no secret that queer spaces are a haven for the LGBT community. Luckily, Connecticut is blessed with more than a few of these in more. The state is home to LGBTQ cafes and bars, including one of the state’s oldest gay bars, 168 York Street Café and the flamboyantly fabulous Troupe429, in Norwalk.
Organizations such as the Queer Food Foundation in the state are on a mission to protect, fund and promote queer food spaces, so you should be seeing and enjoying lots of these when you move to the state.
LGBTQ+ Rights In The USA
The laws governing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people have altered considerably over time in the United States and vary from state to state. In many ways, LGBT rights are some of the best in the world – but the devil is in the detail, and some places are much more hostile to queer life than others.
While same-sex marriage has been legal in every state since the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges ruling on June 26, 2015 (before Obergefell v. Hodges, same-sex marriage was legal in 36 states and Washington, D.C. ), LGBT people are still treated differently in different states – both societally and as inequality under the law.
Over half of all states still allow discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression, while counties and cities within states often have distinct laws as well. While some states permit adoption by all couples, others forbid it for all unmarried couples.
This is all to say what most of us already know is that LGBT rights and equality differ greatly across the USA, and the specifics of family, marriage and anti-discrimination laws are different in every state.
Thus, while it is comforting to know that you can choose to marry whoever you love across the USA (and have it recognized as such) and are protected against hate crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity (which can be punished under Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009), there are still many questions you will likely have about moving to Connecticut and what you can expect of LGBT life there.
Does Connecticut Embrace The LGBTQ Community?
The LGBTQ community, including residents and visitors, will find something to enjoy in Connecticut’s blend of cultural life and outdoor recreation. Connecticut legalized gay marriage in 2008, making it the second state to do so, and the state’s welcoming atmosphere for LGBT travelers continues to grow.
Additionally, Hartford, Connecticut, was recently named one of the world’s most exciting LGBTQ-friendly locations.
While everyone should feel welcome at any establishment in Connecticut—be it a shop, a hotel, or a restaurant— before making plans to move, you will be happy to find that Connecticut has gay-owned B&Bs, enclaves, and gay bars and events that cater to a variety of LGBTQ lifestyles and interests and lifestyles.
The state has prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations, and credit, both private and public, since 1991. When Governor Malloy approved Public Act 11-55- An Act Concerning Discrimination- into law in July 2011, these statutes were expanded to cover transgender persons.
The law included “gender identity or expression” to the state’s list of protected classifications on October 1, 2011, when it came into effect. Connecticut’s laws also offer protection to those who are viewed as LGBT.
The definition of “sexual orientation” in Connecticut’s anti-discrimination statute is “having a preference for heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality, having a history of such preference, or being identifiable with such preference.”
The vocabulary contains perceptual discrimination. For instance, if a worker is let go because they are thought to identify as gay, they have the power to call upon the protection of the anti-discrimination law whether they are queer or not. One may argue that the state is a little more open-minded and liberal and that there are laws in place to combat discrimination against the LGBT population.
While hate crimes motivated by perceived gender identity or sexual orientation are prohibited in the state, transgender people who haven’t had gender reassignment surgery can change their birth certificates. Additionally, same-sex partners of state employees are entitled to full benefits.
Is Connecticut An Expensive State To Move To?
Connecticut has a higher cost of living than the typical American state. The cost of goods and services in Connecticut is 6.1% higher than the national average.
Housing. The average home in the state is worth $272,700, which is $67,800 higher than the $204,900 U.S. median home value. A home built in 1939 or before costs, on average, $243,200, while one built in 2014 or later is worth, on average, $462,900. In Connecticut, the average renter pays $1,156 per month for housing, which is $133 higher than the $1,022 median monthly rent nationwide. The state’s standard rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $950 per month, whereas it is $1,737 for a five or more-bedroom house.
Transportation. The average state motorist can anticipate spending $800 on gas in a year, taking into consideration average fuel economy and the average price of gasoline.
Healthcare. Contrary to the $4,266 U.S. average, the median cost of health care for a single adult in Connecticut is $4,498 annually. On the other hand, costs go up to $13,696 per year for a family of four, which is $746 more than the corresponding national average of $12,950.
Food And Groceries. these account for an average annual expenditure of $3,475 for a single adult and $10,040 for a family of four. For context, the average yearly food expense for a single person in the country is $3,240.
Fairfield County, which is home to Bridgeport, has the state’s highest average cost of living for a family of four, coming in at $109,490 annually. This is much more than the state’s average of $98,390 annually.
The least costly area in the state is Windham County. The region’s average yearly cost of living is at $86,745 for a family of four, which is $11,644 less than Connecticut’s average.
LGBTQ+ Community Organizations In Connecticut
Wherever you live, it is essential that you support LGBT organizations in any way you can so that they can keep reaching out to and assisting other, more vulnerable members of the community. After all, we are stronger when we work together, and each of us will likely have a time in our lives when we require a little extra support.
Thankfully, Connecticut has a supportive and diverse LGBTQ community, which has helped the state become more gay-friendly in recent years.
As a result, there are a variety of LGBT resources available to community members, their allies, friends, and families – and you ought to feel free to utilize them or consider giving your support as needed to keep your new home state moving forwards! They are also great places to meet new people and find your queer chosen family in Gay Connecticut.
The New Haven Pride Center is the state’s sole organization devoted to LGBTQ+ inclusion in the arts and is one of Connecticut’s top LGBTQ+ nonprofit organizations.
The New Haven Pride Center’s aim is to offer the LGBTQ+ community services that are LGBTQ+ competent, trauma-informed, and culturally and socially enriching so they can positively impact the wider New Haven area and Connecticut as a whole.
The Case Management and Support Services offered by the New Haven Pride Center work to guarantee that all LGBTQ+ people have access to safe housing, nutritious food, steady jobs, legal representation, fair healthcare, and the community support they require to flourish.
The Connecticut Gay & Lesbian Chamber
The Connecticut Gay & Lesbian Chamber offers the state’s LGBTQ+ and allied business community beneficial financial access, business development opportunities, and educational resources.
The CTGLC is the advocate of many LGBT-owned businesses and aggressively pushes for supplier diversity and procurement prospects for its expanding network of business members and corporate partners as the state’s official affiliate chamber of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.
The TCC is the main source of resources and activities in Fairfield County for fostering connection and progress among LGBTQ people. More than a dozen free organizations meet at the center on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis.
Peer support, rehabilitation, daytime programs for older adults, crafts, youth gatherings, and sober social gatherings are among the groups available.
At the satellite office at the Center for Family Justice in Bridgeport, and its Drop-In Center in Norwalk, the center’s staff of trained and experienced client advocates, helps individuals of the community navigate social services, document updates, food, drop-in services, housing, and healthcare.
Most Gay-Friendly Cities In Connecticut
In Connecticut, there are many wonderful areas to live in, but when relocating to LGBTQ Connecticut, you should be cognizant that there are a few cities and gaybourhoods that are nearer to the queer hubs of life. Knowing them will allow you to pull your U-Haul up to your new house in a gay-friendly neighborhood or town that is best suited to your needs.
If you’re a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or otherwise queer person seeking a welcoming neighborhood with facilities you’ll cherish, start with these top gay and gay-friendly Connecticut cities to discover your perfect new home, each with its distinct personality.
Give yourself enough time to acquaint yourself with Connecticut’s diverse personalities, and remember that there is no one perfect answer when it comes to the most gay-friendly places in Connecticut… and just because it does not make our list doesn’t necessarily make it a bad option.
We recommend speaking to a local LGBT real estate agent for a more detailed understanding of the best options today. Now, let’s take a look at where these fabulously gay-friendly cities in Connecticut are and why you might want to consider them!
New Haven
The presence of Yale Ivy League and the influx of numerous students from diverse backgrounds each year has driven New Haven to the summit of many rankings of the greatest cities for LGBT people. Its 130,000 inhabitants can take advantage of a varied way of life, a perfect location on New Haven Harbor, and a vast park system.
Due in great part to the scientists, researchers, and professors who work at Yale-New Haven Hospital- one of the state’s best teaching hospitals- and Yale University, this walkable city is quite progressive in its attitude.
Wooster Square, although referred to as New Haven’s Little Italy, is also the center of the city’s LGBT community and is thought to be family-oriented featuring top Italian restaurants like Pepe’s Pizza, single-family homes, and lots of open spaces.
Numerous LGBT events are held in New Haven, such as the New Haven Gay Pride Festival, and the Gay Pride Weekend, which usually takes place in September. In 2013, the local LGBT Pride Center relocated to New Haven, where it is currently the city’s main LGBT gathering place.
The majority of the city may be expected to have affordable housing, with a typical sales price of about $140,000. Depending on the neighborhood in the city you move to, costs will vary considerably, with prices rising as you approach the suburbs.
Westport
The enormous number of A-list celebrities who currently reside in Westport has been one of its claims to fame. The town is perfect for LGBT people because it has a highly educated, affluent, and liberal population.
Westport has a low crime rate, and there is hardly any violent crime at all. Although the majority of Westport’s families send their kids to private schools, the majority of the area public schools are among the best-rated in the state. There are only 25% of single people in the town, 80 percent of residents have college degrees, and the median household income in the city is close to $135,000.
Westport is pleased to support a number of Gay Pride events as a sponsor all through the year. Westport has a sizable number of hotels that welcome LGBTQ guests. There are many accommodations that are welcoming to LGBTQ people, so whether you’re looking for a five-star resort or a modest hotel, there’s something for everyone.
Couples seeking a little pampering while on vacation may find gay-friendly resorts in Westport to be especially appealing. Additionally, it’s also quite easy to participate in nearby LGBTQ-friendly events and attractions at these hotels and resorts. Naturally, these businesses vigorously follow their non-discrimination policies.
West Port has a fairly permissive social climate. Gays were previously freely accepted until the state made gay marriage legal, which has been going on for nearly seven years. Westport and the local communities surrounding it are littered with gay-friendly locations such as shows and nightclubs.
In general, Westport is a terrific spot for LGBT couples who are hoping to settle down and have some money to spend. While there are some affordable rental properties, the quality of the homes results in a somewhat high price point.
West Hartford
West Hartford, is a terrific location to raise a family regardless of your sexual orientation or gender identity. The town contains about 63,000 people, with a median age of 42 and a typical household income that is significantly higher than the Connecticut average of more than $80,000.
There is hardly any violent crime here, which means that you can rely on the town’s safety, and the general crime rate is around half that of the rest of the nation.
All of its public high schools and middle schools have garnered excellent ratings and have a very low student-to-teacher ratio, so you can be sure that your children, if any, will have all the attention they need at school.
West Hartford is a top choice for LGBT people due to its close proximity to Connecticut’s capital. With 4.6% of the total population in Hartford, West Hartford, and East Hartford identifying as LGBT, the region is on par with some of the biggest metro areas in the nation.
The city offers a variety of services to LGBT kids, the elderly, and the homeless, and the city mayor’s office has an LGBT liaison. If you decide to make this city your home, you should budget about $288,250 each year for rent.
Finding Gay Realtors In Connecticut
When looking for the ideal realtor, why would you consider someone’s sexuality? This may seem strange at first, but there are several reasons why contacting a gay realtor in Connecticut is a great way to find your dream house.
After all, when it relates to one of life’s most significant transactions, it’s not unreasonable to expect fair, equal, and honest representation from someone who understands the queer community’s particular needs and wishes.
Furthermore, unfortunately, many people (up to a third of Americans) believe that our community does not deserve protection and dignity in housing, adoption, employment, and other areas of life.
So it’s no surprise that LGBT people who use mainstream realtors often describe feelings of discomfort, unnecessary trouble, unenthusiastic representation, or even antagonism or outright contempt.
Everyone deserves a pleasant, stress-free home buying or selling experience while being adequately represented, and this is why we feel you should hire a gay realtor to assist you in finding your future home.
LGBTQ realtors are more likely to be familiar with the diverse communities in their area and know which ones may be best suited to you when looking for a home.
That’s not to say a heterosexual realtor isn’t capable, but they’ve probably never had to address many of the issues LGBT people face. Rather than just being concerned with how bustling, fashionable, or up-and-coming a neighborhood is (or what it may appear like), gay realtors conduct extensive research into the neighborhoods in which they sell homes to ensure that clients are safe.
It used to be challenging to locate professional LGBT-friendly real estate agents in Connecticut, and it was virtually impossible to find one if you were relocating here from out of state and didn’t have access to a local referral.
You no longer have to search for a realtor without knowing whether or not they are accepting of others because you can use a list of gay, lesbian, and gay-friendly agents in Connecticut to do all of your homework for you.
Simply go to the page, and you’ll be presented with a free list of gay, lesbian, and gay-friendly agents who can help you with your relocation, as well as other useful information like LGBT+friendly schools, shopping, storage firms, tradespeople, and more.
Read the biographies of LGBT real estate agents, then choose the one who is right for you. It’s critical that you find someone who will be by your side and support you and your family during one of life’s most exciting occasions.
Even better, there is no hidden motive, cost, or obligation whatsoever!
