So, depending on how things play out for me (I'm such a Pollyanna) I may move to a different state. I'm curious as to more trans friendly locations in the U.S. Ideally I'd love to move out of the county and have wanted to for a long, long time. However, while in the beginning stages of transition trying to immigrate would be a whole new level of hell with the red tape and confusion. I had prepared everything before one time to move to Canada so I know the headache and confusion of all the paperwork and red tape.

So, do you live or have you lived in a trans friendly city or state (I know California is a given). If so what are your experiences and how is it trans friendly? I appreciate hearing all stories- including places to avoid. I'll come right out and say avoid living in North Carolina.

Boston is pretty cool. It has over 150 colleges in its radius so it's super SUPER used to any sort of people.

I recently cheered on the Boston Marathon at Wellesley College (where those who cheer get kissed by runners) and once I held up my "kiss a Transman" sign I was the most popular person on the whole stretch. It got so many runners to break into a smile; some even leaped up and down across the road from me to give me an air high five (at mile 13 too). Don't think I've ever felt so accepted in my life. And not only the runners, but the people around me loved it too.

Not that you have to be that open. Usual I'm not. Just thought I'd share that.

What Radar already said. California is a given. I don't know of any of the other states though

I don't think the town I'm in in Northern Arizona is very open on transgendered issues. It's a subject I don't really see talked about

But then I don't get out much so I don't know. But from what I've seen, it doesn't seem too talked about

I think there are places in every region, so first I think about climate and jobs, and whether you want to go down to South Florida, or into the Boston area, or NYC, Chicago even.  Or perhaps any of the bigger university towns, Madison, Wisconsin, Iowa City, and Ann Arbor, Michigan.  Or out west, LA, SF, Portland, Seattle all about more or less equal, though climate varies a lot from LA to Seattle.

Seattle's been pretty nice to me. I don't really fit in well here (non-trans-related reasons; I just don't get the local culture very well, coming from the East) but everyone seems nice, it's safe and there's trans support and a thriving gay community.

I'd suggest looking up which cities and states have gender expression protections in their employee non-discrimination act. It's not exactly the best way to figure out if they are trans friendly, but in someways they must be.

I live in Texas. Which is sort of a half and half sort of place from my experience if you're in a small town like me it's about the least accepting place you could be, but if you live in Dallas or Houston I've heard they're extremely trans friendly. I go to Dallas to see my friends and to (when I have a ride.) meet up with a large group of ftms. I've never lived in the city so I can't say what it's like 24/7, but I've never had any bad experiences there and have trans friends who live near Dallas that also have had no problems.

I'd like to know as well.  I'd love to live in Colorado, but I don't know how trans-friendly it is.  I know that it's got some ultra-conservative areas like Colorado Springs.  But Denver seems nice enough (I wouldn't live in the city itself though).  And the scenery is beautiful out there.

Quote from: JesseAu on April 21, 2010, 10:23:08 AM
Boston is pretty cool. It has over 150 colleges in its radius so it's super SUPER used to any sort of people.

I recently cheered on the Boston Marathon at Wellesley College (where those who cheer get kissed by runners) and once I held up my "kiss a Transman" sign I was the most popular person on the whole stretch. It got so many runners to break into a smile; some even leaped up and down across the road from me to give me an air high five (at mile 13 too). Don't think I've ever felt so accepted in my life. And not only the runners, but the people around me loved it too.

Not that you have to be that open. Usual I'm not. Just thought I'd share that.

As someone who grew up in the area, I agree. Boston itself tends to be kind of conservative, but the cities around it (like Wellesley or Cambridge) tend to be very liberal and open.

And that's really awesome. Actually, on the subject... I'm moving back to the Boston area this summer, and I know nothing about any queer/trans organizations around there. I was thinking of getting involved in some sort of group. Do you know anything about that kind of thing?

I agree Tekla. I've lived in different climates so that's not as much of an issue with me. The major deciders would be the job market, living expenses and culture. But, sometimes someone's got to do what they have to do- whether it's their "dream" location or not.

Nygeel, yeah I've been looking at that too. It's interesting that some states that could be considered not very trans-friendly will have several cities that have strong trans rights laws. It helps you weed out the conservative and more open-minded areas of a state.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions so far.

i live in colorado im a sheriffs deputy here so as far as trans friendly it isnt bad it has a thriving gay community and several clubs in the denver and springs area that are lgbt friendly the biggest problem ive seen here is the lack of knowledgeable therapists but still there are some around.
jessica

Quote from: jesse on April 23, 2010, 03:11:02 AM
i live in colorado im a sheriffs deputy here so as far as trans friendly it isnt bad it has a thriving gay community and several clubs in the denver and springs area that are lgbt friendly the biggest problem ive seen here is the lack of knowledgeable therapists but still there are some around.
jessica

Thanks Jesse. That's good to know.  Especially the therapist part.  If/when I moved somewhere else, I would probably have my masters and would want to start working as a therapist.  I would most likely work as a NP for a while to build up a reputation, but eventually I would move into the therapy side of things.

That's why I wouldn't move to Boston.  Because the competition would be horrible.  Add in a brand new therapist?  No thank you

Avoid the Deep South like the plague. 

Wouldn't want to consider wisconsin by any chance? Its fairly good here.  Long drive for therapists tho if you are in the northeast part.

I live in Portland Oregon and it's fine here. I know there are some pretty conservative parts of oregon. Very large FTM community here, large gay/trans population and support. Not sure about employment but it seems bad everywhere these days.
myles

Quote from: LordKAT on April 23, 2010, 10:25:33 PM
Wouldn't want to consider wisconsin by any chance? Its fairly good here.  Long drive for therapists tho if you are in the northeast part.

.
It's a long drive for *anything* if you're in the northeast part

If you're cool with long, cold winters (no pun intended) the Twin Cities have a very active Trans community.  In fact, Minneapolis was the first city in the nation to specifically include trans people in their anti-discrimination laws. 

I live about 1/2 an hour from St. Paul, in western Wisconsin, and my experience has been that the people around here place a very high value on personal freedom - whether that be the freedom to keep and bear arms, or the freedom to live and love as you see fit.  I've gotten the occasional "deer-in-the headlights" look, and some curious stares, but by and large people have been very accepting.  There's a kind of, "I may not get it, but whatever floats your boat," attitude out here.

You'll want to avoid Cali then, you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a  therapist in the Bay Area or LA.  It's not a profession, it's an industry.

Quote from: LordKAT on April 23, 2010, 10:25:33 PMWouldn't want to consider wisconsin by any chance? Its fairly good here.  Long drive for therapists tho if you are in the northeast part.

I used to live not far from Wisconsin and have been there several times. Beautiful state.

Jamie-o, I've been to Minneapolis before and loved it. Such a beautiful and clean city with nice people. I had read that about Minneapolis's anti-discrimination law. I don't mind the cold or winters as much. I lived somewhere where that was the case and it didn't bother me much.

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Quote from: jmaxley on April 23, 2010, 12:26:52 PMAvoid the Deep South like the plague.

True fact.

Quote from: tekla on April 24, 2010, 04:15:49 AM
You'll want to avoid Cali then, you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a  therapist in the Bay Area or LA.  It's not a profession, it's an industry.

Crossed that one off my list a long time ago (if that was directed toward me, that is).