"Attracting same-sex couples can be good for business, communities and the high-tech economy." (UI)

[Hugin]

"Attracting same-sex couples can be good for business, communities, and the high-tech economy."

"Hundreds of American towns bear gay markings in thriving urban businesses, suburban cultural offerings, and revitalized holiday venues. Increasingly, cities are trying to attract gay and lesbian residents to enliven the culture by diversifying it. Cities have also figured out that gay people are often more willing than others to move into and devote income to improving distressed neighborhoods, which attracts other people and sets a cycle of improvement in motion.

Diversity enhances innovation and creativity by allowing different perspectives and ideas to be heard. The creative and innovative people driving the tech economy seek places high in cultural and racial/ethnic diversity–and so do gays and lesbians. It is likely not a coincidence that high-tech centers like metropolitan San Francisco, Washington, Austin, Atlanta, and San Diego also have large and visible gay populations."

For more information:

-"The Demographics of Diversity: Why Cities are Courting the Gay and Lesbian Community?" June 3, 2003. First Tuesdays transcript. Florida, Richard, and Gary Gates. 2001.

-"Technology and Tolerance: The Importance of Diversity to High-Technology Growth." Center on Urban & Metropolitan Policy. The Brookings Institution. Gates, Gary. 2004.

-"In Cities, Suburbs, and the Sticks, Gary Gates Uncovers the U.S. Communities that Same-Sex Couples Call Home." Financial Times. September 4. Gertler, Meric S., Richard Florida, Gary Gates, and Tara Vinodrai. 2002.

-"Competing on Creativity: Placing Ontario's Cities in North American Context." A report prepared for the Ontario Ministry of Enterprise, Opportunity and Innovation and the Institute for Competitiveness and Prosperity. Witeck, Bob, and Gary Gates. 2004.

-"Same-Sex Marriage: What's at Stake for Business?" Investor's Business Daily. July 21.

Source... http://www.urban.org/toolkit/issues/gayresearchfocus.cfm
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please, pardon me for posting this here in the GLBT Forum. But, I felt strongly that this needed to be pointed out.

As you can see, the presence of a large GLBT demographic is positively associated with a prosperous Economy.

So, if our New Leadership truly intends to foster Economic Recovery they need to walk-the-walk instead of
discouraging some of the very people who will play a large role in bringing prosperity about.

Thank you for your time.

[CTyankee]

1. While we have a thriving gay community in New Haven, CT where I live, and in a few other

smaller towns, we would welcome more gays moving to our state. Given the fact that we have the strongest court decision for gay marriage in the entire country, it would be great to welcome more. I live in a residential section of New Haven called Westville. It is a wonderfully diverse area with black families, Orthodox Jews (Joe Lieberman lived here back when he really lived in CT), atheists, folks who work in law enforcement and in municipal government (such as my husband), artists, architects and people who work in nonprofits. My local ABC affiliate's newscaster lives next door to me.

So this is my unofficial pitch to attract more gays right here. We have theatre, museums, rich history, innovative restaurants, some great architecture, and world class academia to offer.

We'd love to have you!

[foxfeet]

2. Hey, CTYankee.

I lived there New Haven area) for several years in the early to mid70's. Even then there was a sizable gay community, plus the other amenities you mentioned. Had several friends in Westville. It was a decent place to live, so I'll second your recommendation.:hi: