STUDY: "Gay-Friendly" Cities Enjoy More Economic..

[misterpr1981]

Great news! I just heard from the Gay & Lesbian Task Force regarding home-buyership and business investment in the borough. This is probably a result of them reading about me in my new business venture and my active status in a number of these organizations. This is very exciting for the borough because I know firsthand how successful this has been in other towns where gay home and business ownership have taken root. They will probably be getting back to me shortly for an article in their national publication which should attract many very interested homeowners and entrepreneurs looking to establish themselves in the boro.

By the way, here is a great recent article that I came across that demonstrates just how desirable a town with a prosperous gay and creative community is to investors.

rawstory.com/news/2007/Study_Gayfriendly_cities_enjoy_more_economic_0623.html

Study: 'Gay-friendly' cities enjoy more economic prosperity

David Edwards and Josh Catone
Published: Saturday June 23, 2007

Richard Florida, a professor from George Mason University and author of the book The Rise of the Creative Class argued that the more "gay-friendly" a city is, the more economically prosperous it will be.

In his March 2007 paper "There Goes the Neighborhood," Florida uses something he calls the "Bohemian-Gay Index" to demonstrate that "artistic, bohemian, and gay populations" have a "substantial effects on housing values across all permutations of the model and across all region sizes." He also found that more open and "gay-friendly" areas generally support higher income levels.

This morning on CNN's In the Money, Florida argued that educated kids are generally moving to the most "gay-friendly" cities after graduating from college because those cities tend to have the best job markets.

After realizing that the top 5 "gay-friendly" cities in the US -- San Francisco, Seattle, Boston, Portland (Oregon), and Tampa -- are also prosperous centers of technological innovation, Florida decided to do a more thorough study. The results, he said, held up for other cities as well.

"Places that were open to gay and lesbian people were also the kind of places that could attract not only smart young people, but also Indian and Chinese immigrants who come here and start a lot of high tech companies," he said. "They were attracting people across the board, building up a talent base, and then innovating and starting these new enterprises."

Florida said he thinks it is the open mindedness of these cities that has allowed economically successful communities to emerge, rather than prior economic success attracting open minded people.

"Places that a large gay and lesbian community gravitated to, a large group of musicians and other open minded people gravitated to. When these kind of geeky entrepreneurs became important economic growth, those were the places that accepted them, too," he told CNN.

The following video is from CNN's In the Money, broadcast on June 23.

[bergsteiger]

Ok, lets assume there is some economic value to a gay friendly community. For me life is more then economic success, lets call it quality of life. What would I have to endure to have a little more economic success? Transforming the boro into a gay community would not be all roses. What is the down side? Nothing is all good and nothing is all bad. What is the bad in this gay community idea?

[Casual Reader]

Be careful Bergstool -- You are starting to think subversively.

This line of questioning interferes with Councilman Levine dude and Stevie's social engineering plan. They want to cynically use the gay community to displace the Mexican immigrants.

As Calliope said there is nothing wrong with gays moving here but they are dabbling in social engineering. Their prejudices are so strong they cannot help themselves. Just writing these lines could get me sent into exile because Councilman Levine Dude and son Stevie are very powerful here in Freehold Borough.

Councilman Levine dude is a player. Stevie has Amanda Lepore as a client.

Not one word has been uttered about getting African-Americans to buy homes in Freehold Borough. I wonder why?

Not one word has been uttered about getting Hispanics to buy homes in Freehold Borough. I wonder why?

Do they not fit the Councilman Levine Dude's master plan?

Casually Questioning the Councilman

[misterpr1981]

Casual,

I'm sorry that you are so hateful of the gay community. Last time I checked I was a protected group too.

What's wrong with wanting people with similar interests to me living around me? Isn't that what made Asbury Park thrive? Ocean Grove? P-Town? San Francisco?

I don't know why you harbor such ill will toward us gay people. I sense some hate in your tone. I hope, for your sake, that you can look past our sexuality and realize that we are human beings, not just "gay people." Trying to displace hispanic people? Who ever said that would happen? Hispanic people are just as welcome in Freehold Borough. Are you thinking they may leave because gay people come? Why is that?

Steve

[Casual Reader]

Stevie Dude:

I do not "hate" gay people and nothing I have said would indicate that.

Your father -- the greatest councilman in the history of Freehold Borough -- has said he wants to use the gay community to force out "illegal immigrants." -- Most of those being Hispanics (Mexicans). The entire thread discussing this was removed from here or I would post some examples from his own writing.

As long as gays are not used as a social engineering tool to consciously discriminate against others then I have no objection to gays buying in the borough. But let us not pit one group against another.

Casually Elaborating

[Eduardo125869]

Hi everyone
My name is Eduardo. I live with my partner Luis for about six years now in the great town of Freehold. As you have probably guessed, we are a gay couple. I love living here and I love my partner very much. We moved here from the Los Angeles area and can say that Freehold and the East Coast are a lot better.

I first want to say I agree with ccomments made by some on this board about a gay community in the town. It is a good thing for the town. But I don’t understand what some are saying about wanting to kick Latinos out. Both my partner and I are Latino and have never come across any hateful language or actions here. I dont know why it would be any different if more gay people came. I think it would be better. More different people. That’s good.

I love it here and think that gay people and Latino people can live together in town just like the two groups live together inside of me.

Lots of love to all--
Ed

[misterpr1981]

Casual,

I still find your comments to be very bigoted and homophobic.

I've seen past comments you have posted and I have noticed a pattern of this and to be honest, it's a bit scary.

You should love all people the same. I live in the borough too and am a gay man. As a member of those LGBT organizations I have mentioned previously, we are keen to picking up on homophobic comments and you are in fact using a lot of it, whether implied or verbatim.

I think you might want to assess why you hate members of the LGBT community so much.

Steve

[Casual Reader]

Stevie dude:

I think you do not want to debate the issues raised by daddy the other day in his very hateful and bigoted posts.

Now, if you don't want to answer my questions about social engineering -- how about answering the ever entertaining Bergstool?

Do you anticipate any culture shock created by a large gay influx?

Will most residents approve of this?

Should this be a stated social policy to try and attract one group as opposed to another? Should market forces be allowed to play themselves out?

There are social policy issues here that could be discussed. Just like there are social policy issues involved with illegal immigration.

All you want to do and are seemingly capable of doing is jumping up and down and calling me a homophobe.

Casually Engaging you in Debate

[novillero]

I just find people like CR intentionally misconstruing comments. That is why I was so vehemently calling him out on blantant lies about his personal history.

his comments about "why pursue gays," why not this group or that group... We can break society down into a million groups. He could have asked why not Phillipinos or Indians? Then he commetns that we are pitting gays against latinos? what? did someone try to incite the gays against latinos, or vice versa??? What has been going on is a casual discussion about having a group invest money into the town for its betterment. If we asked Trump to come to town, would we be pitting Donald Trump against Mexicans? c'mon. CR's comments are, for the most part, casually absurd.

[Casual Reader]

Lovely Calliope Dudette:

When I first started posting here several years ago I had no strong feelings about illegal immigration -- but after reading years of trash here attacking these people I see and meet all around town -- I have concluded that I do not want to accept the casual lies (no pun intended) put across on this board.

I think the issue of calling them illegal is so simplistic that only a child would fall for that. -- These people come here out of economic desperation. There is obviously a market for them or they would not be coming.

Then there is the issue of how to treat them locally -- They deserve as much respect as anyone else. The Bushmeister and the Congress need to get its act together -- but there is no justification for insulting them on a daily basis.

You are a smart woman -- let us look at some recent subjects on this board. Here are the quick headlines:

"Hispanics steal all shopping carts from Foodtown."

"Hispanics launch reconquista."

"Mexican-Americans contribute minimally to World War II efforts" -- this came from the greatest councilman in Freehold history.

And now the latest -- "Gays can serve as economic engine to displace Hispanics (Mexicans) "Illegals."

The pattern seems clear to me.


Casually Defending the Mexicans in Freehold Borough

[misterpr1981]

Casual,

I've never seen my father post the bigoted comments that you mention. Please enlighten me by showing me those posts. Also, I don't think it matters what my father says or does. Are we not two different people? I'm a grown man who can say whatever is on my mind. I think that's irrelevant that he's my father. Most people know that my father and I have rarely agreed politically. I mean, c'mon, I voted for Ralph Nader and Dennis Kucinich. How much more liberal can you get?

You keep bringing up how a thriving gay community in town might be somehow looked at in a poor light or might want to be evaluated. The very fact that you are asking these questions is proving to me just how much you dislike us members of the LGBT community.

The HRC (Human Rights Campaign) talks about accepting all groups and being inclusive of the LGBT community. I find your comments to be extremely hateful and I feel sorry for you to have so much hate and anger. I hope that you can get over your fear and disgust of gay people.

I am still remembering your comment about transvestites walking around with running mascara. Personally, I found that to be a very archaic way of thinking and fear-mongering. This is a tactic that the Bush administration uses a lot.

I think you might want to get over your irrational fear of LGBT people. We're all the same with just as much love in our hearts. There are a lot of positive things that we bring to the community. Until then, I'm praying for you to get over your hate.

Steve

[misterpr1981]

Just a note:

Regarding your comment that this was a thread topic, CR:
"Gays can serve as economic engine to displace Hispanics (Mexicans) "Illegals."

If you look up at the top, the subject does in fact say:
"STUDY: "Gay-Friendly" Cities Enjoy More Economic..."

You really are starting to walk on thin ice now buddy with your fear-mongering.

Steve

[Casual Reader]

Stevie Dude:

Still waiting for you to engage in the public policy debate.

As for your father's remarks -- the entire thread has been removed. Did that pass over your head?

Casually Yours

[Casual Reader]

Stevie Dude:

The issue was raised by Bergstool -- He asked some public policy questions to the best of his ability.

He raised the issue and I followed up on it.

Casually Waiting for Some Intelligent Debate

[misterpr1981]

And I'm still asking you buddy, why you are even raising questions about a gay community coming here.

Why would that even matter?

Aren't gay people allowed to move to a town just like everyone else?

What does it have to do with the Latino population?

Answer that for me buddy, will ya?

Steve

[misterpr1981]

Just to reiterate:

This is what I said:

"This is very exciting for the borough because I know firsthand how successful this has been in other towns where gay home and business ownership have taken root. They will probably be getting back to me shortly for an article in their national publication which should attract many very interested homeowners and entrepreneurs looking to establish themselves in the boro.

By the way, here is a great recent article that I came across that demonstrates just how desirable a town with a prosperous gay and creative community is to investors."

Notice how it says nothing about anyone that is Latino. All I said was to investors. Nothing about any ethnicities or other groups of people.

And this is what YOU said, Casual Reader buddy:

"They want to cynically use the gay community to displace the Mexican immigrants."

I rest my case.

Steve

[LS]

I have to agree with the poster (Fiber, was it?) who said not to feed the trolls. These debates are getting less and less interesting. There is no real discussion going on, just some baiting. Everyone but CR and friends are on the same page.

Again, and I think it was Fiber again (smart guy) who said look at the person posting and based on that you can figure out if you can just "iggy" the posts. When you see CR posting, you know it's BS, so bite your tongue, remember the source, and let's move on.

That's my 2 cents, and I will try to practice what I've just preached.

[richardkelsey]

Casual said:

Lovely Calliope Dudette:

When I first started posting here several years ago I had no strong feelings about illegal immigration -- but after reading years of trash here attacking these people I see and meet all around town -- I have concluded that I do not want to accept the casual lies (no pun intended) put across on this board.

I think the issue of calling them illegal is so simplistic that only a child would fall for that. -- These people come here out of economic desperation. There is obviously a market for them or they would not be coming.

Then there is the issue of how to treat them locally -- They deserve as much respect as anyone else. The Bushmeister and the Congress need to get its act together -- but there is no justification for insulting them on a daily basis.

You are a smart woman -- let us look at some recent subjects on this board. Here are the quick headlines:

"Hispanics steal all shopping carts from Foodtown."

"Hispanics launch reconquista."

"Mexican-Americans contribute minimally to World War II efforts" -- this came from the greatest councilman in Freehold history.

And now the latest -- "Gays can serve as economic engine to displace Hispanics (Mexicans) "Illegals."

The pattern seems clear to me.


Casually Defending the Mexicans in Freehold Borough

Casual, Casual, Casual -- you really are grasping here.

Not one of those topics you listed is accurate representation of what was really said. (no surprise from your side really) You play the race card even when the card is not in the deck.

It really diminishes your credibility. Further, it is the only real crack in the fake facade you have created for posting here. it is an interesting peak behind such a carefully constructed curtain.

I think the people of Freehold would be happy to have lawful residents -- owner occupied, middle-class buyers buying and living in properties -- irrespective of color, religion, or sexual orientation.

No one in Freehold wants a slum landlord renting a home to 25 illegal aliens in the neighborhood. I don't think anyone gives a darn the ethnicity of the renters. I live a a very nice community of over 3000 homes. (growing to 7000) We have real diversity in the community and schools. Our schools and community looks like the United Nations. The difference is, the homes are owner-occupied, the new residents are working hard to be productive members of the community, and they are following the laws of the County and policies of the community.

Our community consists of Hispanic, African-American, pacific Islander, Pakistani, Indian, and Asian. The community -- using the elementary school numbers, has a non-white population of almost 38%.

We don't have the problems of Freehold because -- the immigrants here are not illegal aliens.

The overwhelming majority of people are very welcoming of new immigrants. The difference is, people are not welcoming of illegal immigrants.

Your efforts, and that of your group, to conflate legal immigration and illegal immigration -- or Hispanic with illegal immigrant is offensive and inaccurate. Of course, you already know that -- but that is part of the national strategy you are committed to following.

[richardkelsey]

LS said:

I have to agree with the poster (Fiber, was it?) who said not to feed the trolls. These debates are getting less and less interesting. There is no real discussion going on, just some baiting. Everyone but CR and friends are on the same page.

Again, and I think it was Fiber again (smart guy) who said look at the person posting and based on that you can figure out if you can just "iggy" the posts. When you see CR posting, you know it's BS, so bite your tongue, remember the source, and let's move on.

That's my 2 cents, and I will try to practice what I've just preached.

BTW -- LS. My apologies for that error I made with respect to you. It was accidental -- and I asked Brian to convey that to you.

[admin]

Rich,

CR will not see your last post for two weeks. He is banned. ;D

[Marc LeVine]

True to my word, I haven't "fed any trolls" during this latest
de-bait. The cloaked advocates accusations are ridiculous and provide great insight into what they are really all about, as well as the bigotry they, themselves, represent - obviously towards the Gay community.

Steven was very hurt by some of the remarks made by these advocates and you did the right thing by banning CR and Zeus.

As a by product of all this they may have woken a "sleeping giant," Steven. He now seems energized and determined to put out the word that Freehold Borough is Gay-Friendly. This is his choice and he will do what ever he chooses to do. He is a grown man.

I, personally, support anything that will improve Freehold Borough and make it an even better place to live. And, that IS and SHOULD BE the main goal of ALL elected officials, wherever they are. I also welcome ANYONE to STAY or COME here with this same purpose in mind. Should anyone expect anything less?

Marc

[bergsteiger]

geo said:

I think we should make the Boro "people friendly", so that anyone would want to move here providing that they follow federal, state and local laws like I do.

I can agree to that

[bergsteiger]

Marc said:

True to my word, I haven't "fed any trolls" during this latest
de-bait. The cloaked advocates accusations are ridiculous and provide great insight into what they are really all about, as well as the bigotry they, themselves, represent - obviously towards the Gay community.

Steven was very hurt by some of the remarks made by these advocates and you did the right thing by banning CR and Zeus.

As a by product of all this they may have woken a "sleeping giant," Steven. He now seems energized and determined to put out the word that Freehold Borough is Gay-Friendly. This is his choice and he will do what ever he chooses to do. He is a grown man.

I, personally, support anything that will improve Freehold Borough and make it an even better place to live. And, that IS and SHOULD BE the main goal of ALL elected officials, wherever they are. I also welcome ANYONE to STAY or COME here with this same purpose in mind. Should anyone expect anything less?

Marc

If Steven was very hurt by anonymous posting on a web site, I suggest he seek counseling.

[LS]

bergsteiger said:

geo said:

I think we should make the Boro "people friendly", so that anyone would want to move here providing that they follow federal, state and local laws like I do.

I can agree to that

I think we can all agree on that.

I haven't finished reading the actual study linked in Steven's story posting, but when you think about NYC, look at those places that are the new trendy spots and think about who was living there just before they became trendy and you will probably find the "bohemian" types mentioned in the story.

Asbury is on the rise (but still needs work) partly because of the influx of the gay and/or bohemian community. Hoboken has gone through the roof. I think that the evidence is probably very anecdotal, but it certainly seems to ring true.

Someone asked the down side. I guess we can look to Asbury and Hoboken. I don't see shocking behavior going on, and I don't see porn stores lining the streets. What I do see is some activity going on later in the evening than Freehold normally gets (noise oridinances and attentive business owners can take care of that). Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I don't see the down-sides in these 2 communities. (I don't mention Christopher Street, which does have gay porn stores with leather and chains in the windows, as I feel that it is a different situation).

Interested in your thoughts on this...

[fiberisgoodforyou]

WOW Buddy, 85% Smite rating (Posts vs Smile Ratio)
Not very good PR, MR PR...

but

I know your better than that!