Athens is a safe-haven for all types - gays included.

Take a look around and you’ll see that Athens is a haven for all types  hippies and traditionalists; the young-at-heart and the old-in-age; intellects and the undereducated; liberals and conservatives; students and teachers; families and singles. The list goes on.

And, lucky for us, Athens has proven itself a safe haven for many gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender folk, too. The diverse student population found at the University of Georgia, coupled with a lot of open-minded locals, makes Athens quaint even for queers.

So what makes Athens great for gays?

Athens’ thriving downtown, which features a gay bar on the outskirts of the high-rises and restored historic buildings, appeals to many gays. Artsy shops, boutique clothiers, fine dining, myriad coffee shops, and views of UGA’s beautiful North Campus possess a special charm a number of us hold near and dear. But these are things that everyone can appreciate.

Perhaps it’s the music, or the art scene, or the trendy downtown lofts that have attracted the gay population that calls Athens home. Or maybe the theaters, fancy restaurants, and proximity to an airport beckoned the homosexuals and their discretionary income to the Classic City.

All of these things may appeal to the gay community, but I’d argue a couple more abstract things stand above all else: Athens’ overwhelmingly open-minded approach to life and its people who embrace those alike and dislike themselves.

It’s this sense of friendliness and openness that attracts all types to Athens. Towns like ours are few and far between, but the great people who inhabit them are not.

So, settle down for a while here at GayInAthens.com! We hope you’ll visit us often, become active in our community, and see why we love calling Athens our home.