Kalamazoo LGBTQ City Guide
Jeff Hammerberg
Founder & President @ GayRealEstate.com | LGBTQ+ Representation Nationwide
Kalamazoo is known by many as an eclectic college town with a hip and progressive vibe. It is home to Western Michigan University, as well as many other unique businesses, and a thriving arts and culture scene. It is also a city with plenty of natural beauty, due in part to its location on the Kalamazoo River. Even better, it has a smaller but thriving LGBTQ community where all can feel welcome and at home. Those who choose to move to Kalamazoo will find plenty about it to love!
A Look at Kalamazoo's History
Kalamazoo is a city with plenty of natural beauty and rich history. Its modern-day history began in The early 1800s when settlers arrived in the area, eventually building homes and creating a settlement that was named Kalamazoo in 1836. The area grew quickly due to its fertile farmland and location on the Kalamazoo River, and it has grown quickly ever since. Today, it is a wonderful and diverse city with plenty of opportunities, and so much to see and do for residents and visitors alike.
A Few Fun Facts About Kalamazoo
· The very first Gibson guitar was designed in Kalamazoo by company founder, Orville Gibson.
· Famed professional athlete, Derek Jeter, formerly of the New York Yankees, graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School.
· Kalamazoo County was once known as the Celery Capital of the World – it shipped celery throughout the United States, with the slogan, “Fresh as Dew from Kalamazoo!”
Read more fun facts about Kalamazoo here.
Kalamazoo’s LGBTQ Community
Kalamazoo is a city that loves and supports its LGBTQ community with a variety of resources, including:
PFLAG Holland/Lakeshore is the Kalamazoo area’s closest 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 role in providing advocacy, support, and resources to the LGBTQ community.
Out Front Kalamazoo is a volunteer-managed community organization that seeks to provide events, support, and resources to the Space Coast area’s LGBTQ community. It’s an important and pivotal part of the area’s LGBTQ community, and a great way to get connected and become involved.
What's the Weather Like in Kalamazoo?
Those who live in Kalamazoo can expect to experience all four distinct seasons each year. Winters can be cold and snowy, with temperatures typically dropping to around 17 ºF in January. Summers are usually mild and pleasant, with the high temperature in July usually rising to an average of 84ºF. Spring and fall are also wonderful times to enjoy the outdoors, and between blooming flowers and the bright colors of changing leaves, there is plenty of natural beauty to enjoy in both seasons. Kalamazoo receives around 36 inches of rain, on average, each year, and about 60 inches of snow.
Can’t-Miss Events in Kalamazoo
Sponsored by Out Front Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Pride is the largest annual LGBTQ pride celebration in the area, and it’s one celebration you’ll definitely want to put on your calendar. This annual celebration draws thousands of participants each year, and includes family-friendly entertainment, plenty of vendors, speakers, excellent performances, delicious food, and plenty of opportunities to meet friends and have fun!
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The Kalamazoo Art Fair is held annually on the first weekend in June, and it is the second oldest community art fair in America. Typically, it attracts more than 60,000 visitors over two days – it’s definitely a fun, family-friendly event that you don’t want to miss!
The Best Neighborhoods in Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo is a smaller city, which means unlike some larger towns, it doesn’t have one specific “gayborhood,” or area where most of the LGBTQ population lives. Instead, the LGBTQ community in Kalamazoo is sprinkled throughout the city, which simply means that there are many wonderful places to choose from. Finding the home and neighborhood that is right for you will largely be a matter of budget and personal preference, and as a result, it can be very helpful and important to find a Kalamazoo LGBTQ realtor who knows and loves the city, and who can point you toward homes that might be a good fit. Generally, homes throughout the city are fairly affordable, although there are a wide variety of home styles in varying price ranges available. The current median list price of homes for sale in Kalamazoo is around $200,000.
Arts and Entertainment
The Barn Theatre and School in nearby Augusta is Michigan’s oldest summer stock theatre. Many famous actors and actresses have performed here, and it’s a great place to enjoy a show – or take a class yourself!
On the first Friday of each month, the Kalamazoo Arts Council organizes the Art Hop. During this fun, free event, local businesses, and art galleries display pieces by local artists, and visitors “hop” from place to place enjoying art, live music, the chance to talk with local artists, and perhaps even purchase pieces they love.
Parks and Recreation
The Air Zoo is one of the largest non-government aviation museums in the country, and is nationally recognized and affiliated with the Smithsonian. It has a fascinating collection of aviation artifacts and has been voted “Best Place to Take Out-of-Towners” and “Best Place to Spend a Day with Your Family” multiple times by local polls in Kalamazoo.
The Kalamazoo Nature Center is a lovely nature preserve offering pine forest & prairie trails, as well as nature-themed paintings, sculptures, and many wonderful places to relax and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors in Kalamazoo.
Kalamazoo Nightlife
Club Vortex touts itself as Kalamazoo’s premier LGBTQ bar – and with good reason. This popular nightspot offers lively, friendly crowds, great music, strong drinks, and plenty of opportunities to make new friends and have fun.
Bell’s Brewery is the largest microbrewery in Michigan, and the first and oldest craft brewery east of Boulder, Colorado. It's a great place to have fun on a night out in Kalamazoo and promises great pub food, friendly crowds, and of course, many excellent beer options.
Contact a Kalamazoo Gay Realtor Today
If you're ready to make a move to Kalamazoo, 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 Kalamazoo, and we would love to help connect you with the right one. Contact a Kalamazoo gay realtor today for a free, no-obligation consultation!