Did the city ask the thousands and thousands of “straight” folks who live in this so-called “gay neighborhood” whether we wished to have Halsted Street officially designated as “Gaytown,” in Mary Schmich’s word (Metro, Aug. 20)? I don’t recall being asked. It’s an abominable idea for so many reasons that it’s challenging to list them all. But here’s a start.
This is a neighborhood that by its very nature celebrates diversity every day. Gays and straights share these streets, eat and drink together, shop together. But soon, apparently, the neighborhood will belong only to some, and the rest of us will be just visiting.
Opposing the new official designation is not about homophobia. But opposition is the right choice for one who actually believes in diversity, and not just the politically correct version of it.
The city’s proposal is outrageous also because it ossifies the status quo instead of letting human choice prevail. If in five years Andersonville has become the new “Gaytown,” what will we do with the big gateway structures we’ll be stuck with here? More seriously for the economy of the neighborhood, how smart is it to force a characterization on this area instead of allowing it to grow organically?
