Gay Enclaves Face Prospect of Being Passé - New York Times

Castro Street in San Francisco, one of the most famous "gay ghettos" Source: NYT

In the face of gentrification, a waning sense of belonging is being felt in gay neighbourhoods across the country. A combination of a worsening economy and greater acceptance of gay men and lesbians across the country (and world) have meant that some gay enclaves may become something of the past. The New York Times writes about the plight of these familiar gay enclaves.

Is this a bad thing? Certainly it is sad to see places like West Hollywood and The Castro lose the charm that made them destinations, but perhaps it should be seen as a blessing that they are no longer needed. We shall see if they continue to decline, or if the gay community comes together to preserve these important places...

Ahmadinejad speaks; outrage and controversy follow

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday challenged the audience at Columbia University to look into "who was truly involved" in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, defended his right to question established Holocaust history and denied there were gay Iranians.

This is absolutely ridiculous, considering that Iran has been known to execute gay Iranians... therefore they must exist, whether or not Ahmadinejad wants to acknowledge them or simply cast shadows over their existence. Unfortunately, Iran is one of the most oppressive regimes when it comes to gay rights, and homosexuality is illegal.

NYC Comptroller: Gay Marriage Would Be Cash Cow

So, as we've unfortunately seen lately, the arguments against gay marriage have gone beyond the realm of morality and into monetary arguments. Those against have argued that extending benefits to the spouses of same-sex couples would be costly at a time when budgets can hardly accommodate additional costs. But, as the New York Times reports, gay marriage may in fact provide an economic boost if it were to be enacted.

Economic Benefits of Gay Marriage to NYC