I was born in Enid in 1975, grew up in Alva, and moved to the OKC area when I started college in 1993; first 2 years at OBU, then graduated from UCO. I moved to Portland, OR in 2006 and have never looked back. My family spread out across the country and I have only a few friends in OKC.

Why did I leave? Well I'm gay and a Democrat. Okies don't take too kindly to that, and so I found a more open minded city with more to do. I am proud of Oklahoma City for redevelopment efforts, Bricktown, river walk, Chesapeake Boathouse, etc., but it was too little too late in my opinion. I have some good memories of the place, but the conservative politics and homophobia were much too scary. Had to leave.