Nicknamed the City of Fountains, the birthplace of Kansas City Jazz, and home to some of the country’s best barbecue joints, Kansas City is full of small-town charm in a welcoming metropolis. Nestled against the Kansas and Missouri Rivers, the city’s central location established it as a major hub in the early history of the United States.
KC attracts a diverse population thanks to its history, downtown redevelopment, and welcoming attitude. If you’re considering moving to Kansas City, you’ll find neighborhoods with thriving art culture, enthusiastic sports fans, incredible food and shopping, and plenty of midwestern support for LGBTQ+ residents.
Kansas City’s LGBTQ Community
Kansas City has a rich history of gay civil rights dating back to before the Stonewall riots. When people could be arrested just for being gay, Kansas City was a haven for the LGBTQ+ community.
In 1966, leaders from gay communities around the country held the first-ever conference of its kind at The State Hotel. Participants went on to start the Phoenix Society for Individual Freedom, a Kansas City organization that published newsletters and held events for the LGBTQ community. Phoenix Society and other early groups set the groundwork for Kansas City to become one of the country’s LGBTQ-friendly cities.
Today, Kansas City has sexual orientation and gender identity protections for employment, housing, and public accommodations. It scores a perfect 100 on the Municipal Equality Index Scorecard (MEI). As of 2021, 3.8% of Missouri’s population is LGBTQ+, and the city itself has about 60,000 gay residents.
Local support for the gay and trans community includes PFLAG Kansas City, the nation’s largest family-based organization that supports and advances the civil rights of LGBTQ+ people and their families. Additionally, the city’s LGBTQIA+ community center, Kansas City Center for Inclusion, opened its doors in 2017.
Kansas City held its first Gay Pride Festival in 1975, and today, it celebrates a 3-day weekend PrideFest every June.
Despite what people may think, Kansas City is also quite diverse, too: over 26% of the population is Black or African American, and there is also a significant Asian population as well. As the Gateway to the West, the city also serves as a cultural crossroads, inviting people from all backgrounds to enjoy food, festivals, and fun.
Top Gay Neighborhoods in the City
Kansas City’s gay-friendly hub is the Crossroads Arts District, but there are plenty of LGBTQ+-friendly places the gay community calls home.
Briarcliff
The neighborhood of Briarcliff is made up of Briarcliff West and Briarcliff-Claymont. Perched on the cliffs above the Missouri River, residents enjoy views of Kansas City’s skyline and the natural features of the river bluffs.
Known for its hilly, densely treed streets and extensive parks, it feels like a hidden suburban enclave despite being just 12 minutes from downtown Kansas City. The residents here are known for their progressive values and community spirit, making it a comfortable place for LGBTQ+ individuals and families.
This is a quiet, family-friendly area of older single-family Tudors and Colonials mixed with recently built modern-style homes. Even though it’s the suburbs, Briarcliff has plenty of attractions, including the Frank Bott House, built by Frank Lloyd Wright; Piropos Restaurant, a phenomenal Argentinean steakhouse; the outdoor shopping center Village at Briarcliff; and more!
Moving to Briarcliff
About 5,100 people live in Briarcliff, and most own their homes. Many families have children who attend the aptly named Briarcliff Elementary, North Kansas City High School, or Park Hill High School. The average home price is $388,750.
Thanks to major highways that ring the neighborhood, Briarcliff is just 12 minutes from Kansas City and 20 minutes from Kansas City International Airport (MCI).
The Historic Northeast
Historic Northeast Kansas City contains smaller subdivisions with homes from the late 19th century. Pendleton Heights, the second oldest residentially designed neighborhood in Kansas City, was named one of the “Best Old House Neighborhoods in the US” by This Old House in 2013. Scarritt Renaissance is also part of Northeast Kansas City.
Both residential areas have a plethora of Queen Annes, Victorians, and Tudors, as well as new modern construction. This neighborhood boasts a vibrant mix of cultures, making it a hub for community activism and support for civil rights, including LGBTQ+ rights.
Attractions include the Kansas City Museum in a 70-room 1909 mansion; Kessler Park, an incredible natural area with views of the Missouri River, the 4-mile biking and hiking trail Cliff Drive, and Kessler Waterfall; and Art Garden KC, a free art festival open every Sunday from April to October.
Moving to the Historic Northeast
Even though Northeast Kansas City is only 4 miles from downtown Kansas City, the area has a calm suburban vibe. The average home price ranges from $183,450 in Scarritt Renaissance to $244,000 in Pendleton Heights.
The population of about 9,300 is a mix of young professionals, young couples, and families. Children attend one of the Kansas City School District Public Schools like Garfield Elementary or Northeast High School.
Brookside
Brookside is a popular choice for young LGBTQ+ professionals and families. This very walkable neighborhood has tree-lined streets with a lovely outdoor shopping area. Brookside is known for its eclectic stores, quaint coffee shops, and outstanding restaurants like Irish bar Brady & Fox.
Brookside hosts events yearly that draw visitors from around the metropolitan area, including a huge St. Patrick’s Day parade in March and the Brookside Art Annual in May.
Moving to Brookside
Brookside is only 5 miles from downtown, but its 12,000 residents make it feel like a charming town. Like much of the Kansas City area, homes tend to be historic and built in the early 1900s to 1920s. The average home price is about $276,000 for single-family homes and a scattering of apartments.
Crossroads
As Kansas City's unofficial gay neighborhood, Crossroads has the electric energy and busy city vibe you’d expect from a downtown district. Once a center of warehouses and industry, the old brick buildings have been redesigned into luxury apartments and lofts. Today, Crossroads is the creative center of Kansas City, with more than 60 art galleries and artists’ studios.
The Crossroads Arts District in Kansas is renowned for its commitment to promoting diversity and acceptance. It hosts a variety of events that celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Monthly First Fridays feature art from local and international LGBTQ+ artists, fostering an inclusive atmosphere.
The district also participates in Kansas City PrideFest, hosts LGBTQ+ art exhibitions, and organizes Out in the Crossroads events, providing social and educational opportunities. Additionally, festivals like the Fringe Festival, the Latino Arts Festival, and regular drag shows at local venues contribute to the neighborhood's vibrant and welcoming environment.
Being next to Downtown means Crossroads residents access the city's major attractions. Liberty Memorial and the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts are within a walk or short bus ride. In the Crossroads, you’ll find Town Topic Hamburgers, a local restaurant staple open since 1937. And with all the artists in the district, First Fridays showcases the incredible talents on display throughout the area’s galleries.
Moving to Crossroads
Crossroads Arts District is home to about 2,000 young professionals and families and has the largest population of LGBTQ+ residents in the city. Housing here primarily includes apartments, lofts, and condos, with an average home sale price of $460,500. Children attend Primitivo Garcia Elementary School, Northeast Middle School, and Northeast High School.
Midtown
Between the hip Crossroads arts district and historic Country Club Plaza, Midtown includes Old Westport and North, Central, and South Hyde Parks.
Westport is one of Kansas City’s oldest neighborhoods. It started as the westernmost town where settlers stopped to buy provisions before continuing into Kansas Territory, and some buildings from the early 1900s still stand today. You’ll find shops, bars, and local restaurants three miles from downtown Kansas City.
Hyde Park subdivisions have a mix of apartment buildings and turn-of-the-century single-family homes. You’ll find renovated Queen Annes, American Foursquare, and Craftsman bungalows colorfully nestled along tree-lined streets. Central Hyde Park was developed in the 1880s as an upper-class community with the private Hyde Park. Today, everyone can enjoy the 7.5-acre parkland.
Midtown mixes quieter, suburban-style streets with a busy urban bustle, drawing in a diverse population. It’s home to Kansas City concert-goers’ favorite Uptown Theater, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and LGBTQ+ bar and restaurant staples like Missie B’s, Bistro 303, and Sidekicks Saloon.
Moving to Midtown
Homes in Old Westport average about $300,000 for single-family houses and apartments. The Hyde Park subdivisions are higher, around $644,000 for mostly historic single-family homes. About 3,000 residents call this area of the city home. Children attend Primitivo Garcia Elementary or M.L. King Elementary, Central Middle, and Central High School.
West Bottoms
Originally home to the city’s stockyards and industrial warehouses, West Bottoms has experienced a massive revitalization. Today, It is full of antique stores and incredible places to eat, like Blue Bird Cafe, which has a bar tucked here and there.
Westside North residents live in a diverse mix of homes, from renovated Victorians and uber-modern new construction to industrial-style lofts and cozy apartments. The area is quirky, creative, and passionate about preserving the city’s history.
Moving to West Bottoms
West Bottoms is in the heart of the city, tucked into the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers and right on the edge of the Kansas and Missouri state line. The average home price is $495,000, but it ranges drastically from $150,000 homes that need renovation to multi-million dollar restored mansions. It has a population of 2,364 residents, and the kids attend Primitivo Garcia Elementary, Northeast Middle, and Northeast High.
Exploring Gay Kansas City: Events, Nightlife, and More
One of Kansas City’s great charms is its people's friendliness; nothing gives you a dose of Midwestern hospitality more than socializing throughout the city. Thanks to the city’s long history of supporting LGBTQ+ rights, there are many activities and locations where LGBT community members will feel right at home.
Events and Nightlife
Although Kansas City doesn’t have the boisterous event calendar of some larger cities, there’s a wealth of activity throughout the year. The first Pride Festival was held here in 1975, and KC PrideFest repeats every June for a 3-day weekend of parades, music, and celebration. The city also hosts the KC LGBT Film Festival in June, attracting straight and LGBT visitors.
Every spring, the city celebrates its Irish roots with St. Patrick’s Day parades while the AIDS Service Foundation hosts the annual AIDS Walk Kansas City in April.
For nightly entertainment, gay Kansas City flocks to Missie B’s, the city’s largest and most famous LGBTQ+ bar and nightclub. Queer Bar Takeover is the second Saturday of every month and turns traditionally straight bars or clubs into inclusive spaces for the LGBT community. For the ultimate in choices, the bustling Power & Light District is home to over 50 bars, clubs, and restaurants.
Bars and Restaurants
The Power & Light entertainment district isn’t the only place in the city with plenty of bars and restaurants.
Woody’s on Broadway Boulevard is an LGBTQ sports bar where you can cheer on the Chiefs to another Super Bowl win. Sidestreet Bar and Grill is a gay dive bar known for its relaxed back patio. Another staple, Sidekicks Saloon is a country-western gay bar and city favorite.
For incredible local food, Bistro 303 in Westport serves upscale, French-bistro-style cuisine and cocktails. Hamburger Mary’s KC, an LGBTQ-friendly bar and grille with Drag Brunches and Trivia nights, makes diner food with a twist. Even if you don’t have a strong interest in barbecue, you should try the Kansas City version at least once. Arthur Bryant’s and Gates Bar-B-Q are local institutions.
Arts and Culture
There are so many cultural activities in Kansas City that it can be difficult for residents to decide which to choose. Museums popular with natives and visitors include the nationally renowned Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, American Jazz Museum at 18th & Vine, and Science City in historic Union Station.
A Midwest institution, Country Club Plaza is modeled after a traditional Spanish town. As a sister city to Seville, Spain, it’s easy to see where the Plaza gets its inspiration. The outdoor shopping center has dozens of stores, restaurants, bars, and some of the hundreds of fountains KC is famous for.
Kauffman Center for Performing Arts welcomes symphonies, ballets, and operas inside its incredible halls. But for more low-key, intimate settings, Kansas Citians can choose from venues like Uptown Theater, Madrid Theatre, or The Midland Theatre.
If you’d like to walk and explore, be sure to pick up the map for the African American Heritage Trail of Kansas City, which delves into the generations of Black Americans who developed this unique city that straddles two states.
Farmer’s Markets, Parks, and Recreation
Despite Missouri’s cold winters and hot summers, people stay busy with plenty of outdoor activities. Stonewall Sports is an inclusive LGBTQ+ sports organization with billiards, kickball, volleyball, pickleball, softball, trivia, and more throughout the city. Their teams are open to everyone, gay or straight, and some of the city’s biggest names in the gay community sponsor teams.
Swope Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country, is also the city’s center of recreation. With 1,805 acres of protected green space, Swope Park houses the Kansas City Zoo, Starlight Theater, two golf courses, a zipline and adventure course, and much more! A visit to Swope Park can easily fill your day with activities.
Much like Swope Park, City Market is another KC staple where you’ll need at least a day of exploration. Also known as the River Market, this historic farmers’ market dates back to 1857. Held every weekend year-round, the City Market has unique shops, places to eat, local vendors, and the famous Steamboat Arabia Museum.
Start Your Search for Midwestern Charm
The average home in Kansas City costs around $280,000, which is incredibly affordable compared to many other major cities. Minimum down payment options of 3% and 5% make moving more affordable for future homeowners. Most people seek to put down 20% in order to avoid mortgage insurance and secure the best rates, which means an upfront investment of around $56,000.
If this seems challenging, don’t worry: our team at Pride Lending can help you find down payment assistance programs to make your dreams possible. This can include local options like the Kansas Housing Corporation, which runs a First Time Homebuyer program for those making less than 80% of the median area income and purchasing their first property in the last three years. Additionally, we’ll match you to national programs and help you find loan options you can afford, such as conventional loans that require only 5% down.
With everything Kansas City has, it’s easy to understand why many LGBTQ+ people call the City of Fountains home. Even though it’s tempting to jump into a search for the perfect West Bottoms loft or Midtown Queen Anne, contact Pride Lending before you begin.
We’ll start with a free, simple pre-approval process, look at your current financial situation, and help you find the right home loan for your scenario. From fixed-rate or adjustable-rate mortgages to jumbo loans or VA loans, our team works with you. It doesn’t matter if this is your first or last house – Pride Lending will help you buy the home of your dreams!
Pride Lending’s staff is made up of allies and members of marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ and BIPOC-identifying individuals. We strive to help everyone, regardless of their background, achieve homeownership. With our experience, we’ll match you to the right products for your needs, such as FHA loans for those with less-than-perfect credit and VA loans for service members. If you want to invest, we also offer investment loan products that will help you purchase the property of your dreams.
To get in touch, call us at 725-231-0192 or email us for further details. You can also apply now to see how much you can afford and start a conversation with one of our friendly loan officers ready to help.
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