There Goes the Gayborhood

My name is Blake, and I couldn’t be more excited to be writing for the "Gay Place." I look forward to getting to know Austin’s diverse LGBTQIA community and becoming a part of a community dialogue on all things under the rainbow.

I study art history at Texas State; I’m a part-time barista at the exquisite Café Crème, a full-time nerd, and an avid feminist. To say I’m a colorful character is a rather banal response to a particularly dull question. However, if I had to describe myself, I’d say I’m a wanderer, always on the lookout for my next great adventure. On a good day I’ve been called dapper, and on a bad day, catty, but I’d like to think that on any given day of the week, I call it like it is.

A native of Central Texas, I grew up in the Brazos Valley where I lived for much of my life. I almost always aspired to be a writer, so on a whim I moved to Austin five years ago chasing the Carrie Bradshaw dream of love, great style, journalism, and, of course, shoes. Since moving here, I’ve learned a thing or two… like, that life is not comparable to late '90s HBO. Austin has helped me to discover my voice, and I can’t wait to share it with our "Gay Place" followers.