Eureka Springs is one of Arkansas’s magical cities that looks like it has come straight out of a storybook. It’s hidden away in the Ozark Mountains, and while only a little over 2,000 people live there, there are many, many more in Eureka Springs on any given day. It’s a huge tourist destination, and for many reasons: the music shows, the antique stores, the Victorian architecture, and the gorgeous views. It’s called The Little Switzerland of America, and people love it—Especially LGBT people. The city is actually one of the biggest LGBT cities in Arkansas! The 2010 Census shows just how gay the city of Eureka Spring is: out of the 250 households made up of unmarried partners, 200 of them were same-sex couples!
Why Live in Eureka Springs?
If you’re talking to a gay or lesbian Realtor about making the move to Eureka Springs, you’re probably doing so because you’re interested in the tourism industry. That’s the main industry in the city, and while not everyone works in tourism or retail, many do. Of course, the biggest reason many move to the city (and it’s actually decreasing in population, so not many are) is the location. It’s beautiful in the Ozarks, and it’s easy to see why someone would fall in love with it and want to stay there forever.
Christian and LGBT
While Eureka Springs is very LGBT-friendly (it was the first city to issue same-sex marriage licenses and have a non-discrimination law regarding both orientation and gender identity), there is also a large religious presence in the city. Eureka Springs is home to a number of Christian attractions, including the New Holy Land Tour and performances of the Great Passion Play. While there have been some clashes between religious groups and LGBT people in Eureka Springs, overall they do co-exist peacefully. In fact, a number of the LGBT residents are Christian.
For those who are religious and are looking into moving to Eureka Springs, employment at one of these Christian attractions may be a good option. The New Holy Land Tour is an especially impressive recreation of Biblical settings, plus its Bible Museum has a number of incredible exhibits, including a leaf from one of the original Gutenberg Bibles.
A Haven in Arkansas
Arkansas is not known for being the most welcoming state as far as the LGBT community goes. That’s why it’s great to find a city such as Eureka Springs. Whether you’re thinking about moving here or just want to visit, it’s a great little city.