[Sandhills Guru]

Originally Posted by smithy77

Gay districts are good for any city. Gay people have redeveloped dangerous inner city neighborhoods in cities all over the country and made them attractive, safe and fun, and as a result have increased the tax base and lowered crime rates. Intolerant cities are the most boring, depressing places in the nation. Tolerant cities tend to be vibrant, dynamic and fun. These are just my observations based on life experience and extensive travel. Omaha seems to be somewhere in the middle, but certainly far from a leader in this area.

Would be interesting to see actual facts that back up these statements.

[Todd4]

Originally Posted by Sandhills Guru

Would be interesting to see actual facts that back up these statements.

I buy it. If you know about Richard Florida's "Rise of the Creative Class" he states that cities like Austin, Portland, Denver and of course NYC, Boston are benefiting from the "brain drain" that takes place in the midwest, in part because of those cities more tolerant attitude toward alternative lifestyles.

During his talk at the Qwest center a few years ago, he stated that the anti-gay bills that passed in Nebraska were determental to luring smart, young professionals here regardless of their sexual orientation.

His premise is that Generation Y, Z aren't bothered by the predjudices of the past and want to live in cities that actually encourage different ideas on life, which translates into more creative professions and jobs (hence taxbase)

He is referring to not just gay people, but people who don't choose to marry until later or at all.


Speaking from personal experience, I left Omaha in my early 20's to live in a city that felt was much more interesting and creative, and I'm not gay, but I can say that Denver's tolerance level really encouraged people to be themselves and that kind of thinking sold me on a firm there until I moved back for family reasons.

[smithy77]

Here goes.

Chicago: Lincoln Park, Old Town, "Boy's Town"north of lincoln park.

New York: Chelsea, SoHo, East Village.

San Francisco: at least a dozen neighborhoods.

Washington D.C.: Dupont Circle, Adams/Morgan, Logan Circle, Ledroit Park, Shaw, Capitol Hill, Mount Pleasant, Columbia Heights.

Los Angeles: West Hollywood and several others.

Houston: Montrose

Philadelphia: Mid-town

There are also gay neighborhoods in several other cities. Gay people were also a big influence in the early days of the Old Market in Omaha (along with the hippies and the Mercer family).

Does anyone care to add to the list?

[Todd4]

I would also add that empty nesters and young professionals are not going to be the long term residents of the downtown condos.

Looking at it rationally, the young professional will leave when they have kids, the empty nester will live there from early 60's on.

But the group that will live there and remain there are gay people. They are the people that, overall, don't have children.

So, I don't think it will be a "gay district" but I do think that there is certainly a growing gay influence in the area and south of the Old Market.

[Sandhills Guru]

I would be interested in seeing actual links or studies that show the benefits. Not opinions.

[Todd4]

Originally Posted by Sandhills Guru

I would be interested in seeing actual links or studies that show the benefits. Not opinions.

google it.

[DTO Luv]

Someone just provided a list of cities where it has happened.

[kdbrich]

why do you live in Omaha? Why not move to one of those cities?

[SurfOmaha]

Originally Posted by kdbrich

why do you live in Omaha? Why not move to one of those cities?

Because instead of running away, we are going to stay in Omaha, fight good fight for our rights, and build a gay district! It will be a monument to Nebraska's failures against its own gay population. A monument to the fight for gay rights everywhere!

[thatguy1]

Originally Posted by Todd4

?? even if a rail line reduced workday commutes by 15% ??


i think it is more about having a choice at least.

if you don't want to drive, your tax $$ should help to support a system that can transport you, via bus or mass transit, in an efficient and timely way.

just like your tax $$ supports the construction of massive road projects.

Todd, W Dodge Expressway is backed up twice a day for a lenghty period of time. Not only was it needed, but in my opinion its a couple lanes short.

Rail would make no sense, west Omaha just isn't designed for rail with the current neighborhood/commercial layouts.