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 moving to a new place, you’re likely to ponder how the locals will embrace your authentic self if you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community. It’s a crucial and reasonable concern to have, given that we still live in a world where acceptance isn’t always a given.
To help queer folx who are considering moving to Gay Missouri, we have put together this guide from experts on the ground, considering the pros and cons of life here, discussing LGBT rights in Missouri and whether Missouri embraces our community.
We also take a look at the most gay-friendly cities in Missouri and LGBT community organizations in Missouri that you should be aware of!
To begin with, you should know that Gay Missouri is generally considered a (very) mixed bag regarding queer acceptance and friendliness. While the state has a number of laws and policies in place to protect and support its LGBTQ+ community, it also has a number of laws and policies that discriminate against LGBTQ+ people.
Missouri has no state-level laws that explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, housing, or public accommodations. However, some cities in Missouri, including St. Louis and Kansas City, have enacted local laws prohibiting discrimination.
Missouri has a number of cities and neighborhoods with a vibrant LGBTQ+ scene. St. Louis and Kansas City, in particular, are home to large and active LGBTQ+ communities and have a number of gay bars, clubs, and events. While Missouri has made some progress regarding LGBTQ+ rights in recent years, it still has a long way to go regarding accepting and supporting its LGBTQ+ community.
And it is certainly fair to say it may not be the most welcoming or supportive place for LGBTQ+ individuals to live, especially outside of the larger cities.
On the upside, Missouri is a diverse state with one of the most high-skilled human resources in the country. It is definitely one of the best places for entrepreneurs and startups to be. If you’ve been looking forward to living in a state with a low cost of living, high affordability, and shorter commutes to and from work, you may love living here. What’s more, living in Missouri means that you can enjoy all four seasons!
Whatsmore, the state of Missouri is centrally located so that you can connect with various other large cities such as Oklahoma, Memphis, Tulsa, Wichita, and Lincoln, so it’s a great location if you’re moving here and thinking of starting or expanding a business.
To reduce the stress of your potential relocation, we recommend engaging a gay realtor in Missouri 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 Missouri 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 Missouri – 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 Missouri
It’s hard not to get enthusiastic about the unique and tempting proposition that moving to Missouri 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 Missouri 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 Missouri 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 Missouri’s newest denizen.
Great BBQ
If you’re looking for some great BBQ, Kansas City is where it’s at! The sauce here is delicious, to say the least, and the BBQ itself draws people from all over the state and the country. There are plenty of restaurants in Kansas City that promote BBQ, so make sure you’re well-prepared to enjoy the ribs, pork, and all the unique, but delicious sauce trickling down.
Lots of Farms
Missouri is well-known for its agriculture, so you’re sure to see a lot of farmland when you move here. There are lots of cotton, rice, corn, and soybeans. Some of the farms across the state also have turkeys, hogs, and raise beef. If you embrace a healthy lifestyle, you will love shopping for fresh produce at the farmer’s markets.
Support A Sports Team
Missouri is a sport-friendly state and has football, hockey, and Major League Baseball teams. Missouri loves sports so much that even Division 1 college football has its supporters. There’s always a game you can catch in Missouri, regardless of the time of year it is. Make sure you bring your team spirit and make friends wherever you can.
Lots of Outdoor Recreation
There’s plenty to do in Missouri in terms of outdoor recreation. There are lots of opportunities for fishing and hunting, so make sure you get your licenses beforehand. Missouri also has many mountain and hiking trails, so you can be sure to get your exercise in.
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 Missouri and what you can expect of LGBT life there.
Does Missouri Embrace The LGBTQ Community?
Missouri isn’t the first place you would think of when it comes to embracing the LGBTQ community. Anyone in our community would like to live in a state that does all it can to protect its residents regardless of their gender identity and sexual orientation.
The state of Missouri lacks some basic protections for the LGBTQ community in the protection of housing, employment, public accommodations, and employment.
While this might be a huge disappointment, the state does have six laws that protect the LGBTQ community and its people. The laws include a university and college non-discrimination law, anti-bullying laws for cyberbullying, hate crime laws, a sexual orientation non-discrimination policy for employees of the state, gender and name updates on IDs for driver’s licenses, and transgender inclusion in sports.
While these laws are in place, some of the state laws in place aren’t so good for the LGBTQ community. These include a state Religious Freedom Restoration Act, laws that criminalize HIV/AIDS, and exclusions of transgender people from state Medicaid.
The state also doesn’t have parenting laws for second-parent adoption, the presumption for same-sex couples, or non-discrimination for LGBTQ people in foster care. The state, unfortunately, also has no non-discrimination laws in health insurance.
While all this might look like things are too smoky in Missouri for the LGBT community, you can still find a welcoming and supportive community. Missouri has gay-friendly cities with gay-popular neighborhoods and lots of organizations and resources that support the community.
Is Missouri An Expensive State To Move To
Missouri’s cost of living is lower than the national average, especially when it comes to housing. If you choose to live in the more rural areas of the state, living here will be much less expensive. The most expensive metro in the state is Kansas City – located somewhat confusingly in Missouri and not, as you might expect, Kansas State.
Let’s take a look at some of the costs you will have to bear in the state.
Housing
The average home in the state costs around $190,000, which is lower than the national median home value of $70,000. Rent in the state is also affordable at $850, which is lower than the national median monthly rent.
Utilities
While you can save some money on utilities in the state, it won’t be too much. Even so, expect your monthly utility bills to be around 1.3% lower than the country average.
Food Costs
Groceries in the state cost 7% less than the national average, and a single adult is expected to spend around $3000 a year on food. For comparison, the national average for a single adult when it comes to food is $3,250. A family of four, on the other hand, is expected to pay an average of $8,900 per year on food, which is much less than the national average.
Transportation
Not all cities in the state offer public transport. However, in the larger cities, passes for MAX and local buses cost about $48 each month. Even so, the cost of transportation in the state is much lower than the national average. Living here can be a great way to save on gas, vehicle repairs, and car insurance.
LGBTQ+ Community Organizations In Missouri
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, Missouri 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 Missouri.
The Center Project is a volunteer-run community center whose aim is to serve the LGBTQ community and people throughout central Missouri and Columbia. TCP is within walking distance of college campuses as well as food and shelter organizations. It seeks to make the state a safer, stronger, and better community for its LGBT people.
The Center Project also aims to offer an affirming, safe space where people can enjoy a sense of community, grow, learn, and have access to resources and support. The programs at TCP are mostly focused on LGBTQ families, youth, and those living in the rural areas of Missouri. They are committed to inclusion, justice, equity, and equal representation in all their leadership and programming.
The GLO Center is on a mission to serve the LGBTQIA community by offering education, advocacy, support, and resources to ensure that the community is more welcoming and inclusive and that it becomes one where everyone can grow and thrive.
GLO works in collaboration with allies to make a positive impact on the Ozarks community. Here, you can meet other people in the community, be confident about being yourself, and find the information you need about the LGBTQ community in the region.
Most Gay-Friendly Cities In Missouri
In Missouri, there are many wonderful areas to live in, but when relocating to LGBTQ Missouri, 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 Missouri cities to discover your perfect new home, each with its distinct personality.
Give yourself enough time to acquaint yourself with Missouri’s diverse personalities, and remember that there is no one perfect answer when it comes to the most gay-friendly places in Missouri… 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 Missouri are and why you might want to consider them!
St. Louis
Even though you might not consider St. Louis a gay-friendly destination, it was once voted as one of the top LGBT-friendly cities by the Advocate. St. Louis has one of the most significant populations of lesbians and gay in the country t. Louis has one of the most significant populations of lesbians and gays in the country.
The city is home to one of the biggest celebrations for the LGBTQ+ community during PrideFest, which overshadows the beautiful town. The city is also home to Tower Grove Pride, which also takes place in June.
There are also celebrations like Metro East PrideFest, Pride St. Charles, and Black Pride St. Louis. Other than the parades and parties, there’s also a growing and thriving LGBTQ community with a rich history in the city.
There are plenty of vibrant neighborhoods that you can look forward to calling home in St. Louis. The truth is that in St. Louis, the queer community has played an important role in restoring some of the city’s old neighborhoods.
The Central West End used to be the epicenter of gay life in the city. However, the neighborhood became gentrified when gay people moved away and chose to occupy other neighborhoods like Grand South Grand and Soulard.
If you’re looking to enjoy some gay nightlife in the city, you can check out the Grove area, which has most of the city’s gay bars. There’s something for everyone in the city neighborhood, and whether you’re a theater queen, an art lover, or a beer drinker, there’s something here that will interest you.
Kansas City
Some people prefer to live in the most-gay-friendly city in any state, and that’s ok. For Missouri, this award goes to Kansas City, which is usually included in gay-friendly lists of cities. Kansas is not only friendly but also a welcoming and popular LGBT destination.
Kansas City has plenty of amenities that are specific to the queer community, such as queer-owned businesses, LGBT organizations and resources, or annual pride events.
However, the city itself has an intrinsic nature to make itself feel welcoming to all. Don’t expect anyone here to ask you questions about your LGBT lifestyle because most people probably don’t care. You will have access to gay-friendly hangouts that range from cocktail lounges and sex clubs to sports bars. Whatever you’re looking for in a gay-friendly city, you can be sure that you will find it in Kansas City.
Kansas City is very popular with LGBT visitors because it is welcoming and friendly, with plenty of neighborhoods that appeal to the LGBT community. Whether it’s the downtown neighborhood, the Crossroads Art District, or Westport, you can find restaurants, shops, bars, and coffeehouses frequented by the LGBT community.
Also, locals of Kansas State like to enjoy themselves, so there’s plenty of nightlife here to keep you busy. There’s a gay club for everyone here, so whether you’re looking for a lesbian bar, a dance club, or a leather club, you’re bound to find something that catches your eye.
Springfield
Springfield is a very popular town to live in and is known for being very friendly. The city has a downtown that is vibrant. Springfield’s housing market is welcoming to everyone regardless of their taste or budget. There’s no doubt that this city supports its LGBT community, and you can see this through residents that offer support to all those coming into the city.
The city of Springfield is a center for culture in the state and is more diverse than some of its neighborhoods. The downtown area of Springfield has gotten an uplift from the arts, which is quite evident in the Jordan Valley district downtown. There is always youth coming into the city, thanks to Missouri State University, which contributes a lot to the openness and diversity of the area.
There are a couple of gay nightclubs in the area, but many other dancing and drinking establishments are open and friendly to LGBT people in the city. You will be happy to find a thriving community of gay people living openly in the city, while pride fest continues to feed their energy despite the negative remarks from right-wing groups.
Finding Gay Realtors In Missouri
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 Missouri 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 Missouri, 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 Missouri 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!
