Gays and lesbians here seem to either live in Center City (downtown, Midtown, University Heights, Rountree, etc.) or pretty far out in the country in their own places. You probably would feel somewhat out of place in south Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, etc., as they're very suburban picket-fence and pretty oriented toward (traditional) families.

While Springfield is extremely evangelical and headquarters to the Assemblies of God church, it's also very laid-back and Midwestern. So you'll read lots of anti-gay fussing in the newspaper's web comments , , but most people are friendly as dogs.