Posted on 04/24/2006 11:23:54 AM PDT by DBeers
AMERICA'S most famous homosexual community is grappling with a perplexing situation — how to become family-friendly and still retain its legendary spirit of sexual freedom.
The Castro district of San Francisco has been a magnet for homosexuals since the 1967 "Summer of Love", drawing people from across world with its gay pride parades.
But things are changing thanks, in part, to the so-called "gayby boom", the increasing number of same-sex couples becoming parents.
In California nearly 60,000 children are being raised by same-sex couples. In addition, heterosexual families with children are choosing to live there.
The shift has resulted in tension between parents who want the more explicit window displays and posters toned down, and those determined to guard against any censorship.
Clashes between parents and shopkeepers include complaints from a lesbian mother of two about a shop with a sado-masochistic window display.
Others have complained about explicit shop displays and posters that feature naked, sexually aroused men.
"I am happy that people can enjoy a lifestyle that is denied to them back home in Kansas, but there are appropriate standards of behaviour, regardless of your sexual orientation," Jeremy Paul, a father of two boys, told the Los Angeles Times.
Some shop owners say they have removed the most provocative displays.
Mark Walsh, 50, the manager of a gay sex shop called Rock Hard, said: "There are always a few outspoken couples with children, both heterosexual and gay, who expect everything to be prim and proper.
"But this is the Castro, and anybody who moves here knows what they are moving to. We are very sexual people, and we do tend to flaunt it a little … This is the one place in the country where we can all gather and be ourselves and not have to worry."
Some areas of Castro life are adjusting, with children's menus in restaurants and a new gay family float planned for the gay pride parade.
Thom Lynch, the director of the San Francisco Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Community Centre, said the area was gradually adjusting to its changing make-up.
He had heard of some complaints, including "a woman upset about a Buddhist god with a very large penis".
William Rogers, a city official, said: "Traditionally, the Castro has been about adults, bars, sexual expression and a gay community that has largely focused on adult needs and desires.
"As more lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual and queer people have children, there is an inherent tension between preserving that adult community and shifting toward a culture that includes children, and in some ways that means altering the meaning of the Castro to include the needs of children."
Sounds like a familiar complaint. Except that its finally coming from the Left for the first time ever. But here is the real question. If you are actually family oriented, what the F*$K are you doing living in the Castro?????
In the lesbian community, artificial insemination is popular among those who wish to become parents. A friend of mine chose this route and gave birth to, and raised, a really great daughter.
I know I am, however, I was about 8 when Reagan came to power, and he is definately one of the main reasons that I'm conservative.
Why do they keep confusing SF with a certain town in
suburban Dallas?
Had it been a boy, would they have raised it or aborted it and tried again? Cynical - yes, but with good reason, remember the issue with the lesbian girlfriend beating to death her "lover's" son because he wouldn't call her 'daddy'?
I would never raise my children in a place like SF.
You said "Big Mac" - he he he
...then little Johnnie wouldn't be being reared by two Dads!
As for the heteros, they're just your typical leftist losers starting to discover how horrible their "great ideas" actually look in the real world.
Well, see, the one in back is blind, and the one in front is merely helping him to the Post Office!
You can't make this stuff up.
A: He's the one with his pacifier in the other end...
If you raise your child in the Castro, you need to have that child removed from your custody immediately... that street is not remotely appropriate for children, regardless of your "parents" picadillos.
"Some areas of Castro life are adjusting, with children's menus in restaurants and a new gay family float planned for the gay pride parade. "
"Bizarre statement. I suppose that "there" refers to S.F., or the Castro district, but as it reads, it's weird."
I remember visiting SF back in the 80's to see my old base (NAS Alameda) and walking through the Castro. I said in a loud voice "Hey, that guy's got his hand on that fella's butt!". My wife shut me up pretty quick. We just didn't see things like that in Tennessee.
I guess this guy has never been to Manhattan. There are areas there that are probably worse. And there is now warning.
How sad. Someone who will never be "daddy's girl".
Who will never have her father walk her down the aisle, or take her fishing, or pick her up and swing her over his head when she's little.
Of course, it's all about the adults and what they want.
Not about the welfare of the kids.
And I suppose government will be paying for these kids' therapy when they become messed-up adults.
What the heck separates queer from the first four?
How was it?
Interesting you picked words from that particular actress.
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