Okay, here's my introduction!

My friend was told to cover herself when she finished her snorkel tour and was getting off the boat in a bikini top to go into town, and she looks like a model.

It doesn't matter how good someone does or does not look -- if you wouldn't wander around half-naked in your own hometown on a warm day, don't do it in the USVI, either. It drives me crazy to see female tourists wandering around looking like they forgot to put on pants and going to the drugstore or wherever else like that. This ain't Miami Beach!

Same goes for men -- out a shirt on, nobody wants to look at you!

Roadrunner - which island were they on?

St. John.

I agree with the others. Gay couples don't face too many issues here. Be aware, however, that many of the locals hold strong religious beliefs. A gay male is referred to as an "anti-man" and I've heard some pretty strong statements from Crucians. Hopefully we're not returning to the days of stoning. Perhaps a little discretion would be wise.

West Indians are very much opposed to gay men, but for some reason see no problem with West Indian gay or bi-sexual woman. I see many West Indian woman who have children and their new partner is a female that is somewhat dressed like a man. I have to take a doubletake sometimes...lol. Or they have a boyfriend AND girlfriend.

In Jamaica, a gay man is referred to as a "Batty Man." One night I happen to be listening to 103.5(I believe), which is a STX radio station. The DJ was playing Danchall and to my shock he was playing and singing along with a song called "Boom Bye Bye"(made in late "80's? or early"90's"?), by a Dancehall artist called Buju Banton .
Unfortunately to this day, a lot of West Indians do like this song. But I would not feel scared, they do not act out what he sings about.

Here is a link to the song on Youtube (I hope I did the quote & the link correctly because I am new to this forum).

[url= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWa7fzeX3xo ]"Boom Bye Bye" [Buju Banton/url]

the reason ones are asked/told to cover when going into town or any public place is that there is a law on the books saying one must do so...or risk getting ticket/fine...

it is far more than risking "a "fine or ticket" for dressing inappropiate downtown.{although i have never heard of it happpening}..IT IS A TOTAL LACK OF RESPECT FOR THE LOCAL CULTURE and i guess it goes far beyond that a total lack of class re: walking around w/o a shirt or in a bathing suit..personaly i think it is a sad senario on our society if cruise ships have to tell people NOT to do that ..total lack of manners or class in my mind anyway

Twice I have had reasonably young girls at the grocery checkout ask me (in a rather snotty way) if I'm going to the beach when I had a swimsuit on with a shirt on over it. All you could see was the neck straps of my suit. The local women, however, can dress totally inappropriately in public but since it isn't a swimsuit, no one minds I guess. Can't figure that one out.

the way the three islands have been described:

STT is Manhattan
STJ is Newport
STX is the Midwest

the way the three islands have been described:

...........STX is the Midwest

But with a beautiful ocean view and WARM weather year around. And that makes ALL the difference!

Hmmm this story sounds like a story I have herd before... O yea I am from Chicago (suburb), moving to St. Croix in May, and also gay....So if you don't move till May I will let you know, If you move before May, let me know.

Greetings from St. Croix. Haven't been on this site for a while, so I am late in a response ;). I am in the mortgage business here and have a good insight on to what the market is here on the island. My suggestion is to purchase an existing home. Building here, especially if you are straight (pardon the pun lol) from the States...you will find the experience especially difficult. Lots of good deals to be had here now, however. I am gay, open, and widely accepted here. I know many gay professionals on island. Island life IS different but it seems that you are in the mindset of a comfortable and laid back lifestyle, and you will definitely experience that on St. Croix. 😉