Pittsburgh the 5th Gayest City in America! (York: high school, university)

[Denton56]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Cool! Their methodology is a little whacky, but at a minimum it is nice to get the positive coverage. And I think the truth is that regardless of exactly where it ranks, Pittsburgh is indeed relatively gay-friendly.

Is that the population that the city fathers want to attract? I would think that some families would look at that list and decide not to move to the top gay cities. On the other hand, gay couples have lots of disposable income and pay lots in taxes, so that's an advantage to any city. Politicians like people who can pay high taxes while requiring few services, like schools.

[PreservationPioneer]

Originally Posted by Denton56

Is that the population that the city fathers want to attract? I would think that some families would look at that list and decide not to move to the top gay cities.

It hasn't hurt San Francisco, NYC, or LA...

[Denton56]

Originally Posted by alleghenyangel

It hasn't hurt San Francisco, NYC, or LA...

Not exactly true. There are parts of San Francisco where there are NO straight families. Straight people don't move into many parts of the city but have fled to the suburbs. LA is so huge, and so spread out, that's not likely to be a problem, ditto NY.

[varmintblaster]

Originally Posted by JoshM25

Meh. Where's the list of "straightest cities in America"? Oh, that's right. It would be discrimination.

Equality does not mean standing out on purpose or calling attention to any aspect of your life -- sexuality included. Lists like these are pretty silly.

And now I prepare for the onslaught of posters calling me a bigot and intolerant. I'm not looking to argue, just sayin'.

I concur 100%.

The only person who should wave a rainbow around is Mother Nature - when she paints a rainbow across the sky after a summer rainstorm.

The rest of it is nothing more than attention-schlepping...

[Denton56]

Originally Posted by varmintblaster

I concur 100%.

The only person who should wave a rainbow around is Mother Nature - when she paints a rainbow across the sky after a summer rainstorm.

The rest of it is nothing more than attention-schlepping...

But they're one of the many, ''special'' groups of people. So they 'deserve' special recognition. You know, we're all equal, but some are more equal than others.

[youngabe]

Originally Posted by Denton56

Is that the population that the city fathers want to attract? I would think that some families would look at that list and decide not to move to the top gay cities. On the other hand, gay couples have lots of disposable income and pay lots in taxes, so that's an advantage to any city. Politicians like people who can pay high taxes while requiring few services, like schools.

It all gets down to the individual family and how they feel about social issues. Personally, I would want my children to grow up around a lot of diversity, but that's just me. If I weren't from Pittsburgh, a list such as this would make me look TOWARD Pittsburgh. I would not want to raise a family in an area that was intolerant toward any group of people.

Also, not to get picky, I'm not sure how you've come to the conclusion that gay couples have a lot of disposable income.

[Copanut]

Originally Posted by youngabe

Also, not to get picky, I'm not sure how you've come to the conclusion that gay couples have a lot of disposable income.

Well, if they are the same size they save a lot of money on clothes.

[Tinare]

Originally Posted by youngabe

I would not want to raise a family in an area that was intolerant toward any group of people.

[Sideblinded]

It all gets down to the individual family and how they feel about social issues. Personally, I would want my children to grow up around a lot of diversity, but that's just me. If I weren't from Pittsburgh, a list such as this would make me look TOWARD Pittsburgh. I would not want to raise a family in an area that was intolerant toward any group of people

I agree! We were having breakfast in Regent Square after recently moving here, my son was in 2nd grade. There was a gay couple seated near us with an adorable little girl. She was calling them Daddy, my son was confused. We relocated from a very small intolerant area.) It was a great teaching moment. We explained (In second grade terms) about different kinds of families, adoption and how everyone is different. We kept it brief, no big deal he moved on to caring more about his pancakes!

[feanix]

The article isn't surprising. Most people who have lived in worked in Pittsburgh for several years likely can list multiple friends and coworkers they know that are gay. I've seen dad/dad and mother/mother couples while shopping around Monroeville and haven't really thought anything of it. It only stood out to me because it was something I don't see every day (same sex parent couples), but no more than that.

I do agree on some level with those who say they deserve no special attention. I agree in the sense that their sexuality isn't my concern. I don't run around telling everyone I'm heterosexual and I don't expect anyone else to have to define themselves in such a manner. But I don't agree in a sense because I think they need to keep themselves in the forefront because they have been denied some substantial human rights that other citizens are granted in this country. That is it's own heated debate and I don't want to derail the thread.

My opinion overall is "Cool, but it shouldn't be very surprising to a long-term resident." I don't see this being a positive or negative thing in general but I would love to live in a city with a large gay community like San Francisco. I tend to be more in-line politically, spiritually, and morally with the gay population so I would consider this article for Pittsburgh a on a personal level.

I would think my forefathers would be in support of me thinking in a manner that allows everyone freedom in their life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. I believe in my heart it is better to give too much instead of too little. That's just my thoughts on it.