Tulsa, Oklahoma Gay City Guide
Jeff Hammerberg
Founder & President @ GayRealEstate.com | LGBTQ+ Representation Nationwide
While many think of Oklahoma as being a fairly conservative state, Tulsa is somewhat of an exception to this rule. Tulsa is a fairly liberal, diverse, and welcoming city, and as the second-largest city in the state, it offers plenty to see, do, and enjoy for residents and visitors alike.
A Look at Tulsa’s History
Tulsa was initially settled by the Lochapoka band of the Creek Native American tribe between 1828 and 1836. For many years, Tulsa was a central part of the Native American territory created as part of the relocation of many of the Native American peoples following the Indian Removal Act of 1830. Its strong Native American presence continues in many respects to this day. The city itself began to grow further when trading posts and railroads were eventually established in the area in the 1800s, followed by the oil boom in the early 20th century. Oklahoma was officially declared a state in 1907 and Tulsa continued to grow, eventually becoming known as the oil capital of the world. Today, it remains a city with plenty of industry, arts and culture, and opportunity for all with a welcoming spirit and friendly people.
A Few Fun Facts About Tulsa
· Famed country singer Garth Brooks is from Tulsa.
· The name Tulsa is derived from the Muscogee tribe’s word, “tulasi,” meaning “old town”.
· The U.S. National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show has been delighting and amazing crowds in Tulsa since 1998. The show is considered to one of the most illustrious equestrian events in the country each year, and usually features almost 2000 exhibitors and around 1700 horses each year.
Read more fun facts about Tulsa here.
Tulsa’s LGBTQ Community
Tulsa is a city that loves and supports its LGBTQ community with a variety of resources, including:
OKEQ, short for Oklahomans for Equality, is a community group dedicated to supporting, promoting, and encouraging the LGBTQ community in the greater Tulsa area through advocacy, education, events, and by providing a wide variety of resources of all kinds. OKEQ is truly a pillar of Tulsa’s LGBTQ community and a wonderful resource for all who live there.
PFLAG Tulsa is the city's local chapter of the national PFLAG organization, which is the largest grassroots organization of its kind in the country. PFLAG is well-known for its mission of supporting LGBTQ people, friends, family, and allies across the country in a wide variety of ways. With 500 chapters and more than 200,000 members in the United States, PFLAG plays a critical and important role in providing advocacy, support, and resources to the LGBTQ community.
What's the Weather Like in Tulsa?
Those who live in Tulsa can expect to experience a wide range of temperatures throughout the year, with temperatures typically varying from 30°F to 94°F on average. Summers can often be hot and muggy, and winters short but particularly cold and windy, while spring and fall are usually pleasant seasons to enjoy all that of the outdoor beauty that Tulsa has to offer. Tulsa receives an average of 42 inches of rain per year, and only around 6 inches of snow.
The Best Events in Tulsa
Tulsa Pride is the longest-running LGBTQ pride festival in the state of Oklahoma. For over 40 years, the festival has been celebrating Oklahoma’s LGBTQ communities and all they add to the city of Tulsa and beyond. Whether you like parades, parties, family-friendly activities, good food, concerts, or all of the above – there is plenty for you to enjoy at this can’t-miss yearly event.
Tulsa’s Mayfest is a yearly festival dedicated to promoting the arts and humanities throughout the Tulsa community. Known as the city’s number one arts festival, it offers a wide variety of art from vendors locally and around the country, as well as many great concerts and other performances, good food, family-friendly activities, and more. It’s one event that you’ll want to be sure to put on your calendar.
Where to Live in Tulsa
Tulsa is a city full of welcoming people and many wonderful neighborhoods. Those who are considering making a move to Tulsa and want to live in a community with other LGBTQ people might want to consider a couple of neighborhoods in particular:
The first is Brady Heights. Brady Heights is perhaps the largest gay district in Tulsa and is a historic area located north of downtown. The neighborhood offers plenty of access to restaurants, shops, entertainment and more in a variety of home styles and price ranges available. The median value of homes sold in Brady Heights over the last year was approximately $157,000.
Another neighborhood you might want to consider is Florence Park. Florence Park is in the midtown area of Tulsa and is known for its older homes, as well as its variety of shops, restaurants and other businesses. Single-family homes in this area are generally fairly affordable, and the median list price of homes in this neighborhood over the last year was around $280,000.
Arts and Entertainment
Tulsa’s Gilcrease Museum houses the world’s largest collection of art and artifacts from the American West, with a collection that includes more than 350,000 objects – among them, a handwritten copy of the Declaration of Independence. It’s a wonderful place to spend a day being inspired and amazed.
The Tulsa Performing Arts Center
The Tulsa Performing Arts Center is the perfect place in Tulsa to enjoy a wide variety of the performing arts. With six performance venues staging over 500 events each year, there is something here for everyone to enjoy! Don’t miss your chance to enjoy a performance -or several- for yourself.
Parks and Recreation
The Gathering Place is a public park located along beautiful Riverside Drive in Tulsa. Known in Tulsa as the “Park for Everyone,” it was recently nominated for “Best City Park” in the country by USA Today. Covering over 100 acres, this beautiful park offers a one-of-a-kind playground, trails, gardens, boating rentals, restaurants, events, outdoor concert opportunities, and more. It is truly a wonderful place to enjoy a beautiful day in Tulsa.
The Equality Sports Alliance, sponsored by OKEQ, is Tulsa's LGBTQ-oriented sports organization. It is a group intended to support and grow LGBTQ-friendly sports in the Tulsa metro area, and several sports are offered including softball, bowling and football. New sports and teams are often added, and it's a great way to get some exercise, have some fun, and meet some new friends.
Tulsa Nightlife
The Tulsa Eagle is one of the largest and most popular LGBTQ bars in the city. Known for its strong drinks, friendly bartenders, spacious outdoor patio area, and welcoming crowds, it is a great place to spend an evening out in Tulsa.
Club Majestic is known by many to be one of the premier dance clubs in the state of Oklahoma. Located in the heart of Tulsa’s Art District, it is a welcoming place with plenty of live entertainment, energetic music, and many opportunities for dancing and having fun.
Contact a Tulsa Gay Realtor Today
If you're ready to make a move to Tulsa, at www.gayrealestate.com, we're here to help you take the first step toward finding an agent who knows and loves the community, and who can help you find a home and a neighborhood you'll love. We're proud to have a network of excellent realtors in Tulsa, and we would love to help connect you with the right one. Contact a Tulsa gay realtor today for a free, no-obligation consultation!