GLBT Influx Transforms Bible Belt Georgian Town

[cali]

Blue Ridge, Georgia, a logging town in the state’s Appalachian foothills, used to give gays two choices: hide or leave. This was God’s country. Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal and Catholic churches speckled the landscape.

Those who could not stay in the closet packed their bags and wound down a forested two-lane road to the relative anonymity and sanctuary of Atlanta. Few returned.

Times have changed. A gay and lesbian influx has transformed this corner of the Bible belt. They have bought homes, opened businesses and filled leadership positions.

“Gays have really changed and revived this community. We have brought jobs. Locals are happy that the city is thriving again,” said Jack Morton, who runs several businesses with his partner, Michael Brunson. “I was hesitant at first but not one time have I heard anyone make a negative comment or even insinuate. It’s been inclusive.”

<snip>

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/01/gay-rights-georgia-bible-belt-south

[shenmue]

1. Happy people?

Who'd a' thunk it?

[COLGATE4]

2. GLBT folk are just like regular people!

Who woulda thunk it?

[Behind the Aegis]

3. LMFGAO!

Home of my homophobic aunt!

[CurtEastPoint]

4. There are several towns in the Ga. mtns that are highly gay-ified. "Rainbow colors...how pretty!"

That was classic: "Every few months about 150 mostly elderly couples and singletons gather for dinner – all bring a dish – at a ranch, said Gaston. They are discreet but even if they flew banners most neighbours would be oblivious, he said. “They’d think, ‘Oh, what pretty rainbow colours.’”