Gay friendly neighborhoods

Submitted by aycee t3_10iv6ni in baltimore

What are some things I should consider as a 65-year-old gay man moving to Baltimore? Any advice or experiences to share?

Specifically, what are some neighborhoods or areas that are particularly LGBT-friendly, walkable, and safe; ideally near shops, restaurants, art. Thanks in advance!

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TerranceBaggz t1_j5gpflp wrote

Mt Vernon checks both boxes and is right off the light rail and near Penn Station.

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Geddy_Lee_Marvin t1_j5gtqdu wrote

Check out the Northern end of Charles Village. Abell Ave in particular has been super LGBTQ supportive since the 60's.

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JiveTomLive t1_j5h4ohy wrote

Hampden is great! Meets all those requirements.

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Advanced-Repeat-4126 t1_j5h6cr0 wrote

Welcome! Can also recommend the ‘Greater Hampden’ neighborhoods around Keswick, Wyman Park, Remington, Wyndhurst for all those criteria 🙂

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Cunninghams_right t1_j5hdt9x wrote

Mt Vernon or Bolton Hill (not much for shops in Bolton Hill, but it is near mt vernon that does have shops).

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Ryengineer t1_j5he3nr wrote

My boyfriend and I live in locust point/riverside area. There's a queer friendly bar called Rowan Tree in the area, but we usually just go to the corner bars. Literally nobody cares, except the South Side Saloon - don't go there.

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damdarirum t1_j5hgqt3 wrote

Everywhere in Baltimore is basically LGBT-friendly. We really are an OK city for this overall. We have bigger problems.

Walkable, safe, restaurants and art are your bigger concern.

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Holiday_Car_9727 t1_j5hlrgc wrote

Welcome!! I have many friends in the LBGTQ+ community and we live in Canton.

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NikkiRocker t1_j5hpwpp wrote

Mt Vernon area, very gay friendly. Close to the Charles Theater, Penn Station, and gay bars.

But in general Baltimore is pretty gay friendly.

ECPops in Ellicott City and Fells is also owned by a gay couple.

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Brittneytayloranne t1_j5hwoyg wrote

Canton, Fells Point. Some friendly bars I’ve been to are The Manor and No Way Rose

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Obasan123 t1_j5i0cdd wrote

I'm not gay, but I have personal experience with two pretty fine neighborhoods around here. First would be Canton, where we lived for fifteen years. I've been gone from there for ten, and I think it has only gotten better in terms of restaurants and shopping. It was simply a place where it never came up in the conversation--nobody really cared one way or another. That may be a long way from being "supportive," but it is nice to think your neighbors can go about their business without great fear of being harmed--all your neighbors.

Second is Bolton Hill, where I have attended church since the year after God was born. (In fact, I pointed out to him a very nice corner lot that would accommodate a very nice Episcopal church...) I am not young (early seventies), and most of my friends are in that age group or lower. For whatever reason, tons of gay friends have settled into that neighborhood very comfortably. I'd guess without having asked that it's more supportive than Canton. It's just a pleasant, agreeable area where you can eat, drink, and go about your lawful occasions without being under too much threat. Shopping isn't great, but it's near Mt. Vernon for that. It's near MICA and within a stone's throw of theaters, concert venues, if you want aht, then the've got aht. I also have friends I can ask who will Know Things if you would l ike me to. Just PM me.

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TitsMageesVacation t1_j5i3ujb wrote

Check out the Friday HH at Mt Vernon spirits. It’s literally 50+ HQ in Baltimore.

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wondrinwombat t1_j5i8qo7 wrote

I grew up in Bolton Hill, and it is definitely a very gay friendly neighborhood, with a particularly large contingent of gay men who are 50+ (I would say about half of the neighbors on my block growing up). Doesn’t have everything you’re looking for in terms of restaurants and shopping, but it’s walkable to Mt Vernon, much more relaxed, and easier to park. Also has the symphony, MICA and station north arts district a short walk away, and then the Walters art museum, BMA, Center Stage, and Everyman Theater all within a 5-7 minute drive. That said, the homes are pretty expensive, large Victorians, although there are definitely some that are broken into apartments.

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Flowing_North t1_j5iwu22 wrote

Baltimore City: Bad neighborhoods are just that, ppl there don't have picks so if something happened (assault/robbed/etc) it would be wrong place wrong time or you got lined up but super rarely to basically never have I heard of ppl being preyed on due to hatred towards gays. So pretty much pick a spot that fits your criteria and move there. Forget even worrying about any anti-gay sneers, people don't care. If you want to specifically be in a gay neighborhood than Mt. Vernon or any of the others suggested would be good. If not just pick a cool part of town you like and your good.

Baltimore County: Assuming very similar.

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edcod1 t1_j5j878d wrote

Replying to JiveTomLive (#1,442,973)

Early 40’s queer here to agree. Also agree with another post above, for the most part Baltimore really doesn’t care. Everyone is busy worrying about themselves here.

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StrangeLoveBeats t1_j5jyrbc wrote

Not part of the LGBT community but I live in Mt Vernon and I think it would check off your boxes. Several LGBT friendly bars on the western side of the neighborhood as well. We feel safe here, lots of shops, wide range of restaurants, the Walter’s art museum is nearby and free!

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RG_Viza t1_j5kypf9 wrote

Any place that’s not white trash or blue collar could care less in general. Those two can be very homophonic around here.

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Its_Me_Lee_33 t1_j5lnomp wrote

Mt Vernon. I lived there. Lots of gay friends who lived in the area, walkable, good food, culture. :)

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TerranceBaggz t1_j5pwwrl wrote

Replying to themoslucius (#1,460,081)

Ehh. It’s a fantastic public transit, bikeable and walkable area. If you can ditch your car to move there do it. Most resources you’ll need are within walking distance and the light rail is usually within a few blocks. Amtrak and Acela at Penn station, Maryland Ave bike lane. Even the subway is reachable via the light rail. That area is really just rich with alternate transit means. Probably the best in the city frankly. Not necessarily somewhere I’d live if you have to drive to get to work out in the county somewhere or drive around for work. It’s a densely populated urban core with parking restrictions on some streets and meters on some others and not anywhere near enough parking for all of the residents (if they all owned cars.)

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