Comments on: Indy’s Increasing International Population http://www.urbanophile.com/2008/11/19/indys-increasing-international-population/ Passionate About Cities Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:28:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Anonymous http://www.urbanophile.com/2008/11/19/indys-increasing-international-population/comment-page-1/#comment-2292 Anonymous Fri, 28 Nov 2008 16:34:00 +0000 http://www.arenn.com/blog/2008/11/19/indys-increasing-international-population/#comment-2292 Interesting post here. It's not clear to me what constitutes the gay community. I could start this from a lot of different angles, but to make it short I'll take the case of Andy Warhol. He was at the center of what might be considered the first openly gay community in New York City. He is often described as being gay. Yet it seems he lived out his entire life without having a sexual relationship of any kind with anyone, male or female. So what is it about him that makes him gay? Instead of Indy being 5% gay we could also say it is 100% gay. If you just hang a rainbow flag out your window does that make you gay? Interesting post here. It’s not clear to me what constitutes the gay community. I could start this from a lot of different angles, but to make it short I’ll take the case of Andy Warhol. He was at the center of what might be considered the first openly gay community in New York City. He is often described as being gay. Yet it seems he lived out his entire life without having a sexual relationship of any kind with anyone, male or female. So what is it about him that makes him gay? Instead of Indy being 5% gay we could also say it is 100% gay. If you just hang a rainbow flag out your window does that make you gay?

]]> By: CoryWilson http://www.urbanophile.com/2008/11/19/indys-increasing-international-population/comment-page-1/#comment-2282 CoryWilson Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:05:00 +0000 http://www.arenn.com/blog/2008/11/19/indys-increasing-international-population/#comment-2282 Anon 5:45-<br/><br/>I would like to elaborate on what I posted and why. As somewhat noted by the Urbanophile and Anon 8:26, I am not advocating "special rights" for gays (though I fully support equal rights for them, but that is a much different topic for a different time), but the City must step up and recognize the significance of the gay community and fully support the community the same way that it supports any other minority group. It has been shown numerous times by many, many different studies and outlets that gays are typically more educated, more "worldly," are a much more mobile/urban-oriented crowd and in any neighborhood where there is a higher concentration than normal, property values are much higher and more stable.<br/><br/>I would argue that if Indy does not support its gay community while our neighborinig peers do, it will have a negative affect on the community and our regions ability to continue to stay ahead of the perverbial Midwestern Pack. If the City appears supportive (not just "tolerant") of the gay community then more artists and thinkers will be inclined to remain here & the neighborhoods in and around downtown will contiue to flourish and revitalize. Anon 5:45-

I would like to elaborate on what I posted and why. As somewhat noted by the Urbanophile and Anon 8:26, I am not advocating "special rights" for gays (though I fully support equal rights for them, but that is a much different topic for a different time), but the City must step up and recognize the significance of the gay community and fully support the community the same way that it supports any other minority group. It has been shown numerous times by many, many different studies and outlets that gays are typically more educated, more "worldly," are a much more mobile/urban-oriented crowd and in any neighborhood where there is a higher concentration than normal, property values are much higher and more stable.

I would argue that if Indy does not support its gay community while our neighborinig peers do, it will have a negative affect on the community and our regions ability to continue to stay ahead of the perverbial Midwestern Pack. If the City appears supportive (not just "tolerant") of the gay community then more artists and thinkers will be inclined to remain here & the neighborhoods in and around downtown will contiue to flourish and revitalize.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.urbanophile.com/2008/11/19/indys-increasing-international-population/comment-page-1/#comment-2277 Anonymous Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:26:00 +0000 http://www.arenn.com/blog/2008/11/19/indys-increasing-international-population/#comment-2277 I think you can attirbute much of the Mass Ave success directly to the gay community in Indinaapolis.<br/>They pioneered the revitillization there. Addtionally, Fall Creek Place and much of the near north side and downtown has a high gay density. The gay community of Indianapolis is probably one of the most forward thinking and progressive urban oriented segment of Indy's population. I think you can attirbute much of the Mass Ave success directly to the gay community in Indinaapolis.
They pioneered the revitillization there. Addtionally, Fall Creek Place and much of the near north side and downtown has a high gay density. The gay community of Indianapolis is probably one of the most forward thinking and progressive urban oriented segment of Indy’s population.

]]> By: The Urbanophile http://www.urbanophile.com/2008/11/19/indys-increasing-international-population/comment-page-1/#comment-2265 The Urbanophile Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:57:00 +0000 http://www.arenn.com/blog/2008/11/19/indys-increasing-international-population/#comment-2265 anon 5:45, this is where I part ways with Florida. I don't think Indy needs a disproportionately large gay population to be successful. But it will never be successful it if turns its back on large segments of its population, regardless of who they are. Indianapolis is not NYC, which can afford to cater to a narrow stratum of society. Indy needs to, as I said, be firing on all cylinders, and making sure the entire community is both a part of creating and benefits from success. In short, I'm not asking for special dispensation for the gay community, only that it be accorded the same recognition given to every other similar sized group. And BTW, take a look at many of the near downtown neighborhoods and you'll see that gay people were a big part of turning them around. Plenty of rainbow flags around Mass Ave, Cottage Home, Herron-Morton, etc. anon 5:45, this is where I part ways with Florida. I don’t think Indy needs a disproportionately large gay population to be successful. But it will never be successful it if turns its back on large segments of its population, regardless of who they are. Indianapolis is not NYC, which can afford to cater to a narrow stratum of society. Indy needs to, as I said, be firing on all cylinders, and making sure the entire community is both a part of creating and benefits from success. In short, I’m not asking for special dispensation for the gay community, only that it be accorded the same recognition given to every other similar sized group. And BTW, take a look at many of the near downtown neighborhoods and you’ll see that gay people were a big part of turning them around. Plenty of rainbow flags around Mass Ave, Cottage Home, Herron-Morton, etc.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.urbanophile.com/2008/11/19/indys-increasing-international-population/comment-page-1/#comment-2262 Anonymous Sat, 22 Nov 2008 23:45:00 +0000 http://www.arenn.com/blog/2008/11/19/indys-increasing-international-population/#comment-2262 "I agree with Cory. There is simply no way that Indy will ever achieve its potential as a city without the gay community being a big part of it"<br/><br/>I have to say that this comment is somewhat crazy. Why must the gay community be such a large part of Indy for it to achieve its potential? What is its "potential"? You can be respectful of gays but that doesn't mean that there has to be a large gay community for Indianapolis to be successful. Anyway...just a comment. “I agree with Cory. There is simply no way that Indy will ever achieve its potential as a city without the gay community being a big part of it”

I have to say that this comment is somewhat crazy. Why must the gay community be such a large part of Indy for it to achieve its potential? What is its “potential”? You can be respectful of gays but that doesn’t mean that there has to be a large gay community for Indianapolis to be successful. Anyway…just a comment.

]]> By: The Urbanophile http://www.urbanophile.com/2008/11/19/indys-increasing-international-population/comment-page-1/#comment-2260 The Urbanophile Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:59:00 +0000 http://www.arenn.com/blog/2008/11/19/indys-increasing-international-population/#comment-2260 anon, thanks for the tip. You made me realize I'd listed the base instead of the increase in the article. anon, thanks for the tip. You made me realize I’d listed the base instead of the increase in the article.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.urbanophile.com/2008/11/19/indys-increasing-international-population/comment-page-1/#comment-2259 Anonymous Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:18:00 +0000 http://www.arenn.com/blog/2008/11/19/indys-increasing-international-population/#comment-2259 Just a mathematical correction. A 60% increase would mean an increase of about 30,000 people since 2000. Just a mathematical correction. A 60% increase would mean an increase of about 30,000 people since 2000.

]]> By: kevin f. http://www.urbanophile.com/2008/11/19/indys-increasing-international-population/comment-page-1/#comment-2258 kevin f. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 03:33:00 +0000 http://www.arenn.com/blog/2008/11/19/indys-increasing-international-population/#comment-2258 I encourage all of you to attend Indy's annual Gay Pride. Its the second Saturday of June and this past June we had 40k in attendance. The parade itself is worth coming downtown to.<br/><br/>Some politicians who have marched in the parade include: Scott Keller, Jackie Nytes, Joanne Sanders, Dane Mahern, Brian Mahern, David Orentlicher and of course the late Julia Carson. <br/><br/>Bart Peterson was always conveniently "out of town" during his tenure and Greg Ballard had "a full schedule" the day of Pride his first year in office. I encourage all of you to attend Indy’s annual Gay Pride. Its the second Saturday of June and this past June we had 40k in attendance. The parade itself is worth coming downtown to.

Some politicians who have marched in the parade include: Scott Keller, Jackie Nytes, Joanne Sanders, Dane Mahern, Brian Mahern, David Orentlicher and of course the late Julia Carson.

Bart Peterson was always conveniently “out of town” during his tenure and Greg Ballard had “a full schedule” the day of Pride his first year in office.

]]> By: The Urbanophile http://www.urbanophile.com/2008/11/19/indys-increasing-international-population/comment-page-1/#comment-2257 The Urbanophile Fri, 21 Nov 2008 02:26:00 +0000 http://www.arenn.com/blog/2008/11/19/indys-increasing-international-population/#comment-2257 Thanks for the comments.<br/><br/>Jeff, Indy does have a human rights ordinance that protects gays and lesbians, and is even one of only two I believe in the state that covers transgendered peopled.<br/><br/>Chicago and Minneapolis have prominent and well-supported gay communities. It's not coincidental that they are considered two of the shining stars of the Midwest. Indy's "twin city" of Columbus, Ohio also appears much more gay-friendly, even though the stats would suggest it does not have a significantly larger gay population.<br/><br/>I agree with Cory. There is simply no way that Indy will ever achieve its potential as a city without the gay community being a big part of it. Thanks for the comments.

Jeff, Indy does have a human rights ordinance that protects gays and lesbians, and is even one of only two I believe in the state that covers transgendered peopled.

Chicago and Minneapolis have prominent and well-supported gay communities. It’s not coincidental that they are considered two of the shining stars of the Midwest. Indy’s “twin city” of Columbus, Ohio also appears much more gay-friendly, even though the stats would suggest it does not have a significantly larger gay population.

I agree with Cory. There is simply no way that Indy will ever achieve its potential as a city without the gay community being a big part of it.

]]> By: Jefferey http://www.urbanophile.com/2008/11/19/indys-increasing-international-population/comment-page-1/#comment-2256 Jefferey Fri, 21 Nov 2008 02:09:00 +0000 http://www.arenn.com/blog/2008/11/19/indys-increasing-international-population/#comment-2256 The gay serial killer story was first reported on by Gaybeat, which was a bar rag from Cincinnati. The reason why is that the killer started disposing the bodies over on the Ohio/Indy state line, so it was getting some attention in the Cincy/Dayton area. There is a sort of interaction between the regional gay communities as we read others bar rags and do road trips to each others towns.<br/><br/>This is just not a good part of the US for gay folk. Things are better but we are 10 years behind the coasts. Dayton just passed it's gay anti-discrimination law last year. For politicians to publicaly embrace lesbians and gays is a political liability, which is why they don't. The gay serial killer story was first reported on by Gaybeat, which was a bar rag from Cincinnati. The reason why is that the killer started disposing the bodies over on the Ohio/Indy state line, so it was getting some attention in the Cincy/Dayton area. There is a sort of interaction between the regional gay communities as we read others bar rags and do road trips to each others towns.

This is just not a good part of the US for gay folk. Things are better but we are 10 years behind the coasts. Dayton just passed it’s gay anti-discrimination law last year. For politicians to publicaly embrace lesbians and gays is a political liability, which is why they don’t.

]]>