Acceptance of Gays in Ventura County (Oxnard, Camarillo: home, neighborhoods, live in) - California (CA) - City-Data Forum

katnip kid · 07-11-2011, 02:42 AM

I am a Gay male, 50 yrs. old. I will be relocating from the East coast. How accepting of Gays is Ventura county? I understand I am refering to a very large and diverse area. Towns and neighborhoods will vary. In general, how tolerant of Gays is the county? Any places more tolerant, any to avoid?

There must be websites out on there on the 'net with this info, although I cannot find them. Any "Family" out there care to comment? It would be much appreciated.

Dolphinswink · 07-11-2011, 03:21 PM

I don't live in VC but have been up and through there a few times.

Here's a Ventura County Gay Pride website : Ventura Gay Pride

Perhaps that'll provide you with a starting point or some ideas of where to go/who to contact for more information?

Here's another link: Ventura County Rainbow Alliance Home

Hope this helps

LadyKLO · 07-11-2011, 04:05 PM

I doubt you will have any issues. What you will find is people really don't care what your sexual orientation is here. Just be a good neighbor and all should be ok. I work with a lot of gay people and many of them are born and raised in VC and they have never told me about any issues that they have had. I just really don't think anyone will even care..just be you!

katnip kid · 07-11-2011, 05:37 PM

Thank you both for the responses! Glad to see them!

LadyKLO, your response is esp. encouraging!

I did a fast search on a popular search engine that begins with a "G" (I don't know if I can name search engine names here on board) for Gay Ventura County. I can't remember the name of the site that I found. It lamented the fact that there weren't more Gay bars. So what, I am not much of a bar person. It is attitudes from employers, co-workers, teachers and neighbors that matter to me most. Other sites seemed more positive. I guess it is the type of thing where I need to judge it for myself as best as I can when I am there. I don't know how far West Hollywood would be from VC, but if it is a long drive in traffic, forget it.

I also look for Gay clubs or groups which might include groups devoted to outdoor activities or sports such as hiking,teams, social groups, that type of thing. I haven't done that for VC, or another area that I am interested in locating.

LadyKLO · 07-11-2011, 05:48 PM

You could be in WEHO in about 45 mins to an hour depending on traffic. There was a gay bar in ventura but I don't know if it is still there or not! Please feel free to ask any questions and we'll try our best to find the answers for you.

katnip kid · 07-11-2011, 07:48 PM

Thank you so much!!

HSP1161 · 07-11-2011, 11:33 PM

Welcome to the area!

Generally speaking, Oxnard and Ventura will be more friendly than the other areas. And within Ventura, midtown and downtown will be more accepting than the east side. This is backed up by the precinct analysis of Prop 8 support, which was strong in Simi, Camarillo, TO and east Ventura. In general, those are the places to avoid as they were among those who recently voted down gay marriage (only to have that initiative overturned by the courts

).

I don't know if there are others, but here is a gay bar in downtown Ventura:
Paddy's Bar & Lounge

SOON2BNSURPRISE · 07-12-2011, 02:11 AM

My brother is gay and I have become friends with many of his friends. Been to barbq's at his home in Moorpark with people of all orientations and have had a blast.

Even in our small towns it doesn't seem to be a problem around hear. For many years over in Fillmore one of the employees at the local hardware store was not only gay but a cross dresser. He would come to work in a dress. I just don't think that being gay in Ventura County will get anyone to blink twice or turn their head to get a second glance. OpenSky mentioned Paddy's and my brother is there most weekends.

The deal is around here and in much of the coastal Part of the state we are into what you can do for me as opposed to what you do in your personal life. Your personal life is yours and probabaly the underlying theme is to let people do what they want. When I go into a business I only want to know that I get what I want done. I don't really care who is helping me.

Sure their are those that hate. Currently a kid is being tried for murder. He shot another boy in the head that was gay. I went to the same jr High years ago that these two kids attended. Here is the deal. What that shows is that being gay isn't an unusual thing around here. It also shows that you have ignorant people everywhere.

LadyKLO · 07-12-2011, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SOON2BNSURPRISE

My brother is gay and I have become friends with many of his friends. Been to barbq's at his home in Moorpark with people of all orientations and have had a blast.

Even in our small towns it doesn't seem to be a problem around hear. For many years over in Fillmore one of the employees at the local hardware store was not only gay but a cross dresser. He would come to work in a dress. I just don't think that being gay in Ventura County will get anyone to blink twice or turn their head to get a second glance. OpenSky mentioned Paddy's and my brother is there most weekends.

The deal is around here and in much of the coastal Part of the state we are into what you can do for me as opposed to what you do in your personal life. Your personal life is yours and probabaly the underlying theme is to let people do what they want. When I go into a business I only want to know that I get what I want done. I don't really care who is helping me.

Sure their are those that hate. Currently a kid is being tried for murder. He shot another boy in the head that was gay. I went to the same jr High years ago that these two kids attended. Here is the deal. What that shows is that being gay isn't an unusual thing around here. It also shows that you have ignorant people everywhere.

My sentiments exactly....I personally could care less what folks are doing in their personal and private lives. I think the OP will be just fine in this area. I cannot say he might not face any issues but I suspect they will be minimal at best.

HSP1161 · 07-12-2011, 08:33 AM

The fact is, many cities in Ventura County supported Prop 8.

That's litmus test #1 for closed-door hostilities toward gays.

Downtown and Midtown Ventura, along with Oxnard, were the few pockets of anti-Prop 8. I'm sure the OP will be "fine" but he should be aware of that. I'd want to know.