Well...of course there is no "community" as we know it in major metro areas in the US or Europe....But there are certainly pleanty of gays and lesbians...but the "good" people i know wont go to any of the bars and discos as that is pretty much for the tourist/hustler crowd.
I think if you are well set up...carry yourself with dignity....and are quiet upstanding citizens..i think its pretty much live and let live. However there is no such thing as Discrimination Laws as far as housing and employment etc....and one never knows who will lurk to stab you in the back no? I think the employment thing would concern me more than anything else...unless you and your partner are wealthy and can afford not to work.
I think what is sad...is that many people in the DR (and elswhere) associate Gay folk as either drag queens, hustlers and child molesters. ITs not their fault tho...thats all they see in the media and/or in the city areas (as regular gay folk there keep VERY quiet).
Hopefully some of the closeted people here on DR1 will contact you and can give you the full skinny on the whole idea as life as a gay couple there.
Personaly...i dont think you would have many problems....but what if...just what IF you find youself neighbors with that one ultra crazy catholic (no offence to catholics..there are pleanty of good ones
who desides to take God's matters in their hands.
I will point out this thread to a couple of friends of mine who live in the capital...perhaps they will PM you with their stories.
What is sad and even frightening in the DR....is that many men marry etc...have kids..SOLELY to cover up and appear straight....but live a totaly discrete gay life on the side (either with a steady guy...but mainly go to gay cruising areas..the later being the scary alternative as they are putting their wives health in jeapordy...as far as i know HIV support is nearly non-existant in the DR...well..at least for closeted gay men). .
With all that said....why not take a trip for a few weeks...if you do some quick research on line...you can perhaps stay at a gay friendly (or owned) hotel or guest house (they're there...and not talkinglove shacks)...and talk to the owners and listen to what they have to say. I think they key is going there with enough money to start your own business...either hotel, restaurant or bar.
Ok..i am rambling...but just trying to help