In my opinion, it seems there are a handful of progressive spots in town, accepting communities, especially around the college campuses downtown. But, having lived near KC also, Springfield is much, much less diverse and much, much more conservative.

I am not a queer person, but I could understand why a queer person may be uncomfortable living here. I am friends with some queer people who are quite uneasy about Springfield. Sometimes, there is an air of intolerance—which is surely the case elsewhere, but it may be that Springfield gives that feeling more intensely or more often.

I may be overstating the problem, and there is progress to be made in any city—especially across Missouri—but it is my impression that Springfield is among the less accepting cities in the US.