Many people know Bloomington as the home of Indiana University – and certainly, it is an eclectic, funky, friendly college town. It’s also a town that many people flock to because of its progressive vibe, diverse communities, and all that it offers to see and do. Even better, it has a growing, active LGBTQ community – and in fact, has received a perfect, 100-point score on the Human Rights Commission’s Municipal Equality Index for the last six years. If you’re thinking of making a move to Bloomington, you’ll find plenty about it to love!
A Look at Bloomington’s History
Bloomington was initially founded in 1818, primarily as a rural, farming community. Shortly thereafter, the founding of universities and the establishment of a rail line in the area encouraged significant growth – and Bloomington has been growing since that time. Today, Bloomington is a vibrant thriving college town with a progressive eclectic feel, friendly people, and plenty to see and do. It’s a great place to call home!
A Few Fun Facts About Bloomington
Read more fun facts about Bloomington here.
Bloomington’s LGBTQ Community
Bloomington is a city that loves and supports its LGBTQ community with a variety of resources, including:
Bloomington PFLAG 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.
Bloomington Pride is a community-based organization committed to serving the LGBTQ community in the greater Bloomington area. Throughout the year, the group provides resources, organizes events, and creates opportunities to build the community. It’s a great way to get connected and become involved.
What's the Weather Like in Bloomington?
Those who live in Bloomington can expect to experience all four distinct seasons each year. Bloomington receives around 48 inches of rain, on average, per year, and about 17 inches of snow. Summers can be hot and humid, with temperatures reaching up to an average of 85ºF, while winters can be quite cold and sometimes snowy, with low temperatures in January dropping to around 20ºF. Spring and fall are usually mild and pleasant and are wonderful times to enjoy the outdoors.
Can’t-Miss Events in Bloomington
Bloomington Pridefest is the city's annual pride celebration of the LGBTQ community. It's a great way to celebrate, connect to the community – and have fun! You'll want to put this event on your calendar each year.
The 4th Street Festival of Arts and Crafts is definitely a can’t-miss event in Bloomington each year. This two-day festival showcases more than a hundred nationally and regionally recognized artists and features amazing talent.
The Best Neighborhoods in Bloomington
Unlike some larger towns that have one primarily gay neighborhood, Bloomington's LGBTQ community tends to be a bit more spread out across the city. This isn't a bad thing though – it simply means that there are many wonderful neighborhoods in town to choose from.
The town is very simply divided into four sections. The North and South sections are divided by Kirkwood Avenue and Walnut Avenue divides the East and West sections. The Downtown has a historic copper-domed courthouse that rules over an enormous historic square. Downtown has a variety of charming stores and boutiques. East Kirkwood Avenue in the east section also has a progressive café society and the street boasts a variety of independent malls and boutiques catering mostly to college students.
Furthermore, Bloomington can be very affordable, and a wide variety of home styles are available. The median list price of homes currently for sale in Bloomington is around $252,000.
Arts and Entertainment
The annual Bloomington Pride Film Festival is a very popular yearly film festival that celebrates, explores, and educates about the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community through films and programming.
A show at The Comedy Attic definitely needs to be on your list of must-try events in Bloomington. The Comedy Attic is ranked as one of the Top Ten Comedy Clubs in the nation and is well-known for its excellent stand-up shows & weekly open-mike nights, as well as great pub food and a full bar.
The Quarryland Men’s Chorus is a popular gay chorus in the area that puts on a variety of shows and performances throughout the year. If you love to sing, you may be interested in joining – and if you love to hear others sing instead, you’ll definitely want to put a performance or two on your calendar!
Parks and Recreation
Monroe Lake is the largest lake in Indiana and is situated on the south side of Bloomington, adjacent to the beautiful Hoosier National Forest – so whether on land or in the water, there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun here.
Brown County State Park is one of the most beautiful parks in Indiana, and also the largest. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities from hiking, horseback riding, and camping, to swimming, cycling, and more. It’s a great place to spend a beautiful Bloomington afternoon!
Bloomington Nightlife
The Back Door is a very popular Bloomington LGBTQ bar, well-known for its lively dance floor, fantastic drag queens, and delicious drinks. The crowds are friendly, and the atmosphere is comfortable.
In a city well known for its excellent music scene, The Bluebird is one of the most well-known venues of all. This popular, funky, friendly nightclub hosts talented musicians from across the country, and an evening here is always guaranteed to be a fun time for all.
Contact a Bloomington Gay Realtor Today
If you're ready to make a move to Bloomington, 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 Bloomington, and we would love to help connect you with the right one. Contact a Bloomington gay realtor today for a free, no-obligation consultation!
