I applaud the city’s street-improvement plan for North Halsted Street, with its extremely pro-gay image. I think it’s great that Chicago is taking this historic step in recognizing its gay citizens.
But as the former president and a founder of the Northwest Gay & Lesbian Association, a group that focused its attention on gays and lesbians living on the city’s Northwest Side, I become somewhat hesitant about the project as well. I can easily see how some people could think of this six-block stretch as a gay-only zone.
Therefore the newly designed freedom ring and golden saucer gates must act not as an entryway to this six-block stretch but an opening to the rest of the city’s neighborhoods where many gays and lesbians make their homes. And I challenge the City of Chicago, the Halsted Merchants Association and all the gay and lesbian leaders directly anchored in “Boys Town” to see that these new rainbow lights shine to all ends of the city and not just on them exclusively.
