I’m straight — would I feel out of place living in West Hollywood?

Would a straight guy who moved to West Hollywood feel like he fit in here?

A man considering the move posed the question on Reddit, expressing concerns about how the area’s strong association with the gay community might impact his social life, particularly his ability to meet straight women and feel comfortable in the environment. 

The conversation began with the original poster (OP) acknowledging that he’s straight and considering moving to West Hollywood, but sharing his uncertainty about how that choice might affect his dating life and day-to-day interactions.

“To be clear, I’m not against any of that, it’s just not my world,” he wrote. “I just don’t know if I’d really fit in, and how it would affect finding straight girls and dating them.”

Responses quickly ranged from practical advice to outright critiques of the OP’s underlying assumptions. Some commenters suggested that if the OP is worried about being mistaken for gay or feeling out of place, he should simply avoid moving to West Hollywood.

“If you’re so worried about being confused for being gay, then don’t move into my neighborhood,” user JoeyJoeJoeShabadu said bluntly. “You have literally the rest of the city to pick from.”

Others took a more measured approach, offering insights into the neighborhood’s social fabric.

“It’s definitely a gay neighborhood and things skew that way, but there’s lots of straight nightlife on Sunset and La Cienega,” explained Ok-Subject-9114b. “Ironically, one of the most popular straight Gen Z bars right now is Barney’s Beanery in WeHo. It’s a great place to live in your 20s.”

Some commenters found the OP’s concerns to be reflective of deeper insecurities about being around gay people.

“If you’re going to be weirdly uncomfortable around gay men, then don’t go to a community of gay men,” responded rchart1010. “It doesn’t seem like such a difficult calculus. Maybe you can get a big truck so everyone knows you’re straight.”

However, not everyone agreed that the OP’s question was out of line. Several users noted that it’s natural to want to understand the culture of a neighborhood before deciding to move there, especially for someone unfamiliar with Los Angeles.

“How would anyone know how ‘weirdly uncomfortable’ they might or might not be in a certain neighborhood without asking?” said user tracyinge. “Not everyone is from a large diverse city. It’s no different than someone from farmtown Idaho asking if Greenwich Village is full of just senior citizens or just college students. It doesn’t mean they’re uncomfortable around those groups, it just means they want something else.”

Amid the debate, practical advice was also shared. Some users pointed out that while West Hollywood is known for its LGBTQ+ scene, it is also a highly desirable area with a mix of residents and amenities appealing to all orientations.

“You won’t have any more trouble meeting girls here than you would in most any part of the city,” said one commenter. “West Hollywood is only like 2 square miles and most of that is apartments and houses. You’re definitely not going to be limited to hanging out in the concentrated strip of gay bars and clubs.”

Others suggested alternative neighborhoods in Los Angeles that might offer a similar lifestyle without the strong LGBTQ+ presence.

“If you’re looking for a walkable neighborhood, but you don’t want everything oriented toward the gay community, why not keep searching till you find an area more in line with your straight lifestyle, like DTLA?” recommended Commercial_Sir_3205.

Despite the range of perspectives, some users remained skeptical about whether the OP would ever truly feel at ease in West Hollywood.

“You won’t fit in. Go elsewhere. Try out Rialto and just commute into LA for your ‘film career,’” suggested rchart1010.

There were also more lighthearted takes on the situation. In response to the OP’s concerns about how people might perceive his sexuality based on where he lives, user Farados55 quipped, “It’s not like when you walk into the Whole Foods that a siren will blare saying ‘this guy is gay.’ There are also a lot of cool not strictly gay places like all the historic comedy clubs. What a question.” They added, “And yes, it is the gay neighborhood. Also an awesome place to be at and party. It’s essentially our Castro.”

The OP tried to clarify that his questions weren’t coming from a place of judgment but rather curiosity, given his lack of familiarity with Los Angeles and its various neighborhoods.

“This reeks of some kind of sour insecurity. I am not judging anyone,” he said. “I literally don’t care. Just asking if I would fit in in that place.”

Several users encouraged the OP to visit West Hollywood before making a decision, emphasizing that experiencing the neighborhood firsthand would provide a better sense of whether it aligns with his lifestyle. “You would be better off visiting for a few days to find an apartment than asking Reddit,” advised wehobrad, who also noted that WeHo’s LGBTQ+ culture is deeply ingrained, with a gay mayor, a majority-gay city council, and a history as Los Angeles’ center of gay culture for over 40 years.

Amid all the back-and-forth, one user, back2me78, came to the OP’s defense, saying, “I think he is an empathetic good guy who wants to feel comfortable in his surroundings.” But another commenter, TuckerCarlsonsOhface, responded sarcastically, “As long as no women assume he’s gay, apparently. lol.”