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.
One of the most common thoughts you might have before relocating anywhere is how accepting the locals are towards the LGBTQ+ lifestyle. It is a very valid concern and something that sadly still needs to be considered in this day and age.
To help queer folx who are considering moving to Gay Kansas, we have put together this guide from experts on the ground, considering the pros and cons of life here, discussing LGBT rights in Kansas and whether Kansas embraces our community.
We also take a look at the most gay-friendly cities in Kansa, and LGBT community organizations in Kansas that you should be aware of!
Kansas provides a wonderful mix of rural and urban living with warm Midwestern cities and stunning prairies and plains. Topeka, Wichita, and Kansas City, all located in the state, are global centers for anything from the manufacture of aircraft to mouthwatering barbecue. While these cities are bustling centers of activity and diversity, providing much to those who move there, including the LGBTQ community, the contrast with smaller towns like Emporia City is notable. Emporia, with its more subdued pace and smaller community, offers a different experience, one that might be quieter and less diverse but still holds its unique appeal for those seeking a more intimate, small-town atmosphere within the state’s inclusive landscape.
Moving here means you have access to family-friendly, affordable living in hip little towns and cities. Even so, as a member of the LGBT community looking to move to a new state, it’s likely there’s much more you’re looking for. It’s important to find out whether the state you’re thinking of moving to is safe for you to be who you are, whether it has specific protections for the LGBTQ community, or even whether there are LGBT-owned businesses and resources you can benefit from.
With this in regard, you should know that Kansas state is relatively gay-friendly, and you will find a community that accepts you for who you are! The city of Kansas has much to offer in terms of an active LGBT nightlife, and you’re likely to find queer hangouts where you can make friends and meet new people.
To reduce the stress of your relocation, we recommend engaging a gay realtor in Kansas 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 Kansas – 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 Kansas
Different aspects of every state make it a unique and tempting proposition to transplants, locals, and visitors – and residents of Kansas City are well aware that their state is brimming with hidden gems. After all, this is why many chose to live here.
Once you move here, you’ll be able to quickly befriend locals and spend your free time discovering the best sights and culture Kansas City 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 Kansas City should allow you to meet queer people with similar interests.
We are certain they will have many more to add, but to get you started, here are a few highlights of moving to LGBT Kansas City.
Good Food
If you enjoy food, living in Kansas can make you put on a few pounds. The state is recognized for its delectable ribs specialties. Typically, Kansas City barbecue is prepared at low temps for long periods in enormous pits.
Locals regard burnt ends to be a delicacy since they are the flavorful, scrumptious ends of smoked brisket. Chicken, beef brisket, sausage, pulled pig, ribs, and turkey are some of the many barbecue options. Don’t forget the sauce, either, because barbecue sauce in Kansas has a distinct personality with a rich and sweet flavor.
Thriving Diversity
In Kansas, there is a thriving community of people with a wide range of interests, and there are possibilities for everyone to find a job they like that offers a decent way of life. Kansas is brimming with potential and is prepared to accommodate you, whether you like are looking to work in one of the industries or would like to start your own LGBT-owned business.
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 Kansas and what you can expect of LGBT life there.
Does Kansas Embrace The LGBTQ Community?
LGBT families and singles would fit in well in any of the towns and communities in Kansas. The state is quite welcoming and friendly. You will find lots of gay and lesbian groups that you will be pleased to be a part of. Community services and resources are also available for LGBT families as well. The state’s college towns are recognized for having a lot of LGBT clubs and bars.
Nearly all the bars here designate one night as a “gay night” each week so that LGBT people can visit and have a fantastic time. Many of the universities in the state have LGBT resource centers to assist students who might be having issues.
One of the biggest LGBT festivals in the state and the Midwest is held in Kansas City. LGBT Pride or Gay Pride Kansas City. It is a sizable event for LGBT friends, their families, and friends that are often held in the first week of July and serve to celebrate gender variance and sexual diversity as well as LGBT rights, self-conscience and affirmation, as well as dignity.
Although the celebration has been going on since 1975, it has recently gained a lot of popularity as Kansas has started to recognize and support LGBT families just like any other family. Due to the absence of sexual orientation and gender identity protections under state civil rights statutes,
LGBT individuals here are at risk of prejudice. The addition of these features to Kansas’s current legislation would offer safeguards to the LGBT community and wouldn’t be an expensive affair for the state to adopt.
Is Kansas An Expensive State To Move To?
The cost of living in Kansas is lower than it is generally throughout the United States. Kansas’ average cost of goods and services is 10.0% lower than the national average. The state also has the fifteenth-lowest average cost of living among all other states.
Housing. One of the biggest contributors to the expense of living wherever you move to is housing. The average home in the state is valued at $145,300, which is less than the $204,800 U.S. median home value. Homes built in 1939 or before cost an average of $78,700, while those built in 2014 and later cost an average of $336,000 in Kansas. The average renter in the state pays $830 per month for housing, which is less than the $1,020 median rent per month nationwide. In Kansas, the average rental rate for a one-bedroom apartment is $650 per month, while the average rent for a home with five and more bedrooms is $1,170.
Transportation. If you plan on driving, you can anticipate spending approximately $920 on gas alone each year. Kansas’ average annual vehicle insurance rate is $1,270, which is lower than the $1,515 nationwide average.
Healthcare. In comparison to the U.S. average of $4,265 each year, the median cost of healthcare in Kansas for a single adult is $4,535 annually. The average yearly healthcare cost if you have a family of four is approximately $13,740, which is more than the corresponding U.S. average of $12,950.
Food. In Kansas, a single adult is expected to spend approximately $3,135 on food each year, while a family of four s expected to spend approximately $9,060.For comparison, the median yearly food expenditure in the United States is $9,360 for a family of four and $3,240 for a single adult.
LGBTQ+ Community Organizations In Kansas
Darlings, no matter where you flutter your fabulous wings, supporting LGBT organizations is not just important, it’s essential. These groups are like the fabulous fairy godparents to our more vulnerable community members. When we link arms and work together, we create a tapestry of strength and support, because, let’s face it, we all might need a little extra love at some point in our lives.
In the heart of the Midwest, Kansas is blooming with a supportive and diverse LGBTQ community, helping the Sunflower State blossom into a more gay-friendly environment. At the forefront of this colorful transformation are the top Kansas LGBT organizations, dedicated champions of love and equality.
These wonderful organizations offer a rainbow of resources for community members, allies, friends, and families. Feel free to explore these resources, or better yet, contribute your own sparkle to keep the spirit of progress and inclusivity alive in Kansas.
And, honey, it’s not just about the resources – these organizations are social butterflies’ dream spots! They’re perfect for meeting new people and finding your queer chosen family in the vibrant landscape of Gay Kansas.
Equality Kansas is a community organization with chapters around the state that was initially created by the union of autonomous LGBT advocacy organizations from Manhattan, Topeka, and Wichita. More than 2000 people are currently a part of the 11 chapters throughout the state.
The goal of Equality Kansas is to eradicate prejudice against people based on their gender identity and sexual orientation. They hope to achieve this through public policy, political action, advocacy, and education.
The organization also supports legislation that will help further its goals of eradicating discrimination, stopping bullying in schools, protecting the freedom of LGBT people to vote, and lifting the prohibitions on marriage equality.
Equality Kansas also opposes legislation that would forbid LGBT people from parenting, legitimize discrimination against LGBT residents in the guise of religious freedom, and any other measures that would limit LGBT rights.
The Center of Wichita serves as a safe refuge for youth and the city’s LGBTQ+ population. The center is operated for and by the LGBT community. Its current focus is to offer educational opportunities and resources to state LGBTQ+ youth.
They are currently creating an LGBTQ+ library, maintaining contact details for various LGBTQ+ organizations across the state and city, and also have a central gathering place for individuals and groups interested in raising awareness of the LGBTQ+ community. The community will have access to a lot more resources as the center continues to grow.
Most Gay-Friendly Cities In Kansas
In Kansas, there are many wonderful areas to live in, but when relocating to LGBTQ Kansas, 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 Kansas cities to discover your perfect new home, each with its distinct personality.
Give yourself enough time to acquaint yourself with Kansas’s diverse personalities, and remember that there is no one perfect answer when it comes to the most gay-friendly places in Kansas… 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 Kansas are and why you might want to consider them!
Kansas City
Kansas City is gay-friendly. Here, you will have access to bars, museums, stores, restaurants, and coffee shops that are well-liked by the LGBT community. Kansas City has in the past been ranked among the top 10 underestimated gay-friendly travel spots in the country. Chely Wright, a prominent figure in the country music industry, built The LIKEME Lighthouse, the city’s only LGBT community center.
The area also has a lot of well-liked LGBT pubs. The gay pubs are always jam-packed, and a terrific time is guaranteed over gay festival weekends like Gay Pride. One of Kansas City’s greatest attractions for LGBT transplants is the abundance of gay-friendly neighborhoods. Moving here means that you are likely to find a neighborhood where you can be who you are without any fear.
When moving here, something you’ll realize is that the city has two distinct sides. There’s one in Kansas and one in Missouri. The metro area of KC crosses two states. Downtown KC and the Westport neighborhood, where frontier pioneers first settled, are located where the city was initially built on the Missouri side.
People crossed the Kansas River as the area expanded to settle on the Kansas side, where most of the region’s suburbs are now.
Compared to other American cities, KC has a higher crime rate. Make sure the place you intend to move to is safe for you and your family by doing proper research beforehand. Furthermore, although the high rates are falling, they are doing so very slowly, so you might have to keep on high alert.
Topeka
The LGBT community has recently found Topeka to be very welcoming. The city is home to the famous Skivvies Bar very much, and people travel from far and wide. Just to experience an amazing night at this establishment.
Kansas has never been known as a gay travel destination due to its conservative voting history, thinly populated rural towns, and terrible affiliation with the strongly anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church.
Topeka is attempting to revitalize the Sunflower State by adding a vibrant entertainment district with a focus on the arts, a growing number of LGBT-owned businesses, and queer nonprofit Equality House. Shawnee County in Topeka is one of the state’s counties that has protections for the LGBTQ community based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
The Equality House, arguably one of Topeka’s most popular Pride icons, is a vibrant, bold symbol of the struggle for LGBT+ rights. The Equality House was purchased and is run by Planting Peace. You’re welcome any time to swing by, take Insta-worthy photos, and leave a message to a stranger at the city monument, which has also turned into a popular site for selfies.
Wichita
The Wichita LGBT community is thriving. There are numerous LGBT bars located all across the city. The Center in Wichita serves as a safe haven for youngsters as well as a location where the city’s LGBT and allied population may call home. The center, which is housed in a building that also houses the facilities of Equality Kansas, is situated in the heart of Wichita.
There is a meeting space available for individuals and groups interested in raising awareness of LGBTQA issues, and an LGBTQ+ library is now being constructed. They have informational materials that any LGBT individual will be happy to use.
They intend to keep growing so that the community as a whole has access to a lot more resources. There is always plenty to do in Wichita, thanks to its museums, zoo, entertainment venues, botanical garden, sports teams, art spaces, and public parks.
There are 33 museums in the city so you can be sure that everyone’s tastes will be catered to by one. FC Wichita is a pro soccer team that plays in the Premier Soccer League, and sports enthusiasts are welcome to support them. You can also roll with the ICT Roller Girls, a seasoned roller derby team.
The city’s economic district, downtown, is transforming into a 24-hour destination. Young professionals, empty-nesters, and families are looking for homes in the business district for a variety of reasons, including short commutes and easy access to cultural amenities. The Riverside area, where homes range from Victorian homes to bungalows, is located along the Arkansas River.
Finding Gay Realtors In Kansas
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 Kansas 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 Kansas, 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 Kansas 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!
