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 Oklahoma, we have put together this guide from experts on the ground, considering the pros and cons of life here, discussing LGBT rights in Oklahoma and whether Oklahoma embraces our community.
We also take a look at the most gay-friendly cities in Oklahoma and LGBT community organizations in Oklahoma that you should be aware of!
Oklahoma, a South-Central state known for cowboy culture, Native American history, and beautiful nature, is one of the most popular locations for relocations thanks to its affordable homes, low crime rates, quality schools and exceptional weather.
The state also has a vibrant economy, is home to plenty of millennials, and has a growing job market, which makes it the perfect place for those who are looking to invest in the state or establish their startups.
Even so, this shouldn’t be the last thing you think about if you’re considering a move to a new state. As a member of the queer community, there’s a lot more to think about. One of the most important aspects of moving for those in our community is to find a community that welcomes you, a state that has laws and policies in place to protect you, and resources and organizations that you can depend on.
As a result, not many LGBT people would think about living in LGBT Oklahoma thanks to its location in the Bible Belt. In truth, the state of Oklahoma, just like gay Ohio or LGBT North Carolina or any other number of swing states in the US, is a mixed bag when it comes to LGBT acceptance and adoption of laws that protect the queer community.
Traditionally, the state hasn’t been the biggest supporter of the LGBTQ community, but recent years have proved that attitudes are slowly changing thanks to efforts to improve life for the LGBTQ community here.
Unfortunately, LGBT Oklahoma has no statewide laws prohibiting the discrimination of LGBT people in housing, employment, or public accommodations. On the flip side, cities such as Tulsa and Oklahoma City have local ordinances that prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation in these areas. In addition to this, there is a growing LGBTQ+ community in the state that will make you feel right at home.
To reduce the stress of your relocation, we recommend engaging a gay realtor in Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma – 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 Oklahoma
It’s hard not to get enthusiastic about the unique and tempting proposition that moving to Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma’s newest denizen.
Rich In History
The state of Oklahoma is history-rich, thanks to its Native American history. Oklahoma is one of the states in the country, apart from California, which has the most significant Native American population in the US. Currently, the state is home to more than thirty-nine Native American tribes. However, only five out of the thirty-nine are believed to be indigenous.
Some of the tribes that call the state home include Apache, Law, Shawnee, Pawnee, and Kickapoo. While the state is rich in history, you should also note that most of it, especially where the Native Americans are concerned, isn’t something to be happy about.
No More Crowds
One of the best things about living in this state is the absence of crowds. Even major Oklahoma cities such as Tulsa and Oklahoma aren’t crowded, and you will love it if crowds aren’t your thing. In addition to this, commuting in Oklahoma is quite easy as rush hour is practically non-existent in this part of the world.
Culture And Diversity
Oklahoma is a state with a young and vibrant population, with almost 25% of its residents under 18 years of age. The state has a median age of 36. With this in mind, you can expect that the state will have affordable housing as well as excellent colleges and universities.
In addition to this, the culture of Oklahoma is one of the reasons people are moving here because locals are known to be friendly and help each other out in times of need.
Oklahoma residents are warm, welcoming, and friendly, even though they might be a little quiet sometimes. Here’s the thing, though- most of the people here are religious, so expect that someone might invite you to church with them.
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 Oklahoma and what you can expect of LGBT life there.
Does Oklahoma Embrace The LGBTQ Community?
Everybody knows that Oklahoma is very conservative thanks to its location in the Bible Belt. However, this simply doesn’t mean that the state is hostile to those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning. The reality is that the state is home to a growing and the thriving LGBTQ community that enjoys a plethora of Pride celebrations and events.
The LGBT community here also has access to a wide range of resources, which makes Oklahoma the perfect location for anyone who wants to relocate to a place that has a tight-knit community they can call home.
Unfortunately, even with all these mechanisms in place, Oklahoma is still considered one of the places where LGBT residents might experience the hardship of some kind. The state of Oklahoma does not have civil rights laws in place to include gender identity and sexual orientation.
As a result, those in the LGBTQ community living here can be subjected to discrimination in education, housing, employment, and more because of who they love and how they identify. The truth is that the state still has locations where it’s not ok to identify as LGBTQ.
However, change is in the air as there are activists and communities committed to ensuring that the LGBTQ community here can live authentic lives in their truth.
Is Oklahoma An Expensive State To Move To?
Oklahoma’s cost of living is cheaper than the country’s average. Goods and services in Oklahoma cost about 11% less than the national average, and the state is the eighth cheapest in the country. Let’s take a look at some of the costs you will have to incur in the state.
Housing
The average home in the state costs about $130,750, which is significantly less than the national average of $204,900. Homes built in 1939 and earlier cost about $82,200, while those built in 2014 and later cost about $245,600. If you’re looking to rent, expect to pay an average of $790 each month on housing, which is less than the national median.
Transportation
As the typical motorist in Oklahoma, you should expect to spend about $990 each year on gas alone. Insurance premiums cost about $1,120 and a single adult should expect to spend about $10,460 each year on transport.
Healthcare
A single adult should expect to spend around $5,130 per year, which is slightly more than the $4,260 national average. A family of four should expect to spend about $15,470 per year on healthcare.
Food Costs
Expect to spend about $3,090 each year on food if you’re a single person. On the other hand, if you’ve got a family of four, you should expect to spend about $8,930 each year on food.
LGBTQ+ Community Organizations In Oklahoma
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, Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma.
Freedom Oklahoma is an organization that seeks to advocate for the future of LGBTQ2S people in the state. The organization doesn’t care what your romantic or gender identity is. As long as it falls beyond the heteronormative boundaries, they are here for you and will offer you a safe space to thrive.
OKE is an organization whose goal is to attain equal rights for all LGBTQ+ people in the state and their families through education, alliances, programs, and advocacy. The organization has been serving the queer people of Oklahoma since 1980 and is home to a growing and diverse population of LGBTQ people and dedicated volunteers and staff.
OKC Youth United
OKC Youth is on a mission to ensure that people who identify as LGBTQ aren’t discriminated against, especially in areas like housing. The organization works with other cities in the region to ensure that everyone has equal opportunities.
Most Gay-Friendly Cities In Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, there are many wonderful areas to live in, but when relocating to LGBTQ Oklahoma, 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 Oklahoma cities to discover your perfect new home, each with its distinct personality.
Give yourself enough time to acquaint yourself with Oklahoma’s diverse personalities, and remember that there is no one perfect answer when it comes to the most gay-friendly places in Oklahoma… 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 Oklahoma are and why you might want to consider them!
Norman
The city of Norman is home to the University of Oklahoma. It was also the first in the religiously conservative state to approve a nondiscrimination law for LGBTQ persons. Norman’s MEI score, which is 30 points higher than the second-best ranked Oklahoma City, demonstrates the city’s progressive ideas regarding its LGBT inhabitants.
Norman has in the past been voted as the most accepting city in the state for the LGBTQ+ community. Norman is a busy city with much activity to offer. It is called the “city of festivals” since both during the academic year and the summer, there are plenty of things to do, see, and enjoy.
The city hosts the Norman Music Festival, which takes place during the spring and involves a free mega-music festival that showcases many local musicians and shuts down Norman Main Street for three consecutive days. There’s also Jazz in June, the Chocolate Festival, and the Medieval Fair, some of the city’s favorite events.
Norman is the state’s third-largest city by population, directly behind Oklahoma City and Tulsa. While the city has a large population, it has managed to maintain a small-town atmosphere, so you won’t feel like you’re living in a major metropolis.
Oklahoma City
Although Oklahoma might not be the first location you think of when considering LGBT communities, there is really a fairly vibrant community here. Most of the gay population in the state resides in Oklahoma City, which is located in the middle of Oklahoma at the intersection of three important highways. Oklahoma City, or OKC, is also the focus of LGBT activities for the entire state.
The city conducts multiple Miss Gay America beauty pageants and has a number of weekly papers targeted at the GLBIT community that provide news and details on forthcoming events. Most of the gay bars in the city, as well as the largest gay-only hotel in America, are located in the NW 39th District, the unofficial gaybourhood.
With numerous straight and gay dancing clubs, this strip is undeniably the most exciting area in Oklahoma City. Despite being a little grubbier than 39th, Bricktown Historic Entertainment District is another great location for shopping and dining because it houses some of OKC’s top eateries.
There are numerous galleries and art museums in Oklahoma City. You shouldn’t be shocked to see multitudes of cowboy hats here because the state is fond of its Western past. In fact, take advantage of it by visiting the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum to learn more about the state’s past.
The city also hosts many events all through the year, and one of the most popular ones is the Oklahoma City Gay Parade, held on the last week of June annually.
Tulsa
Tulsa is located in “Green Country,” a region of undulating hills that is forested. Tulsa’s economy has evolved from being the “Oil Capital of the World” to becoming the regional hub for the arts and culture. The city is home to two prominent art museums, a ballet company, and full-time opera, as well as 15 colleges and universities.
It is understandable why LGBTQ people from all across the region flock to Tulsa. The city is home to a vibrant gay community, LGBT bars, friendly stores, and eateries. One of the most popular neighborhoods with the LGBTQ community in Tulsa is Brady Heights, which is located north of downtown.
The gay scenery in Tulsa is dispersed around the city; However, the majority of clubs and bars are just a few miles from the Crosstown Expressway.
There are lots of options to satisfy different preferences and tastes as well as plenty of LGBTQ-friendly sports teams in the city. The city also offers a variety of options for active LGBTQ people who want to get into basketball, tennis, bowling, and softball.
Equality Sports Alliance of Tulsa organizes most of the LGBT sporting events. Tulsa is a city where you can walk around with confidence and the knowledge that you are accepted, wanted, and can live openly as an LGBT individual.
Finding Gay Realtors In Oklahoma
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 Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma, 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 Oklahoma 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!
