Gay parents flock to the Bronx
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- JanaPokana
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New York City's same-sex couples living in the Bronx are more likely to be raising children than those who live in any other borough of the city, according to a new study.
The city's northernmost borough has become home to 3,000 gay couples (a fraction of the borough’s 1.3 million people), 49% of whom have children. The study estimates that about 26,000 same-sex couples in total live in the city, with most of them residing in more traditionally gay-friendly neighborhoods such as Manhattan's Chelsea and Brooklyn's Park Slope. Manhattan, for instance, houses 10,000 gay couples, but only about 4% of them have children according to the report.
Many gay parents say they have chosen to settle in the Bronx due to cheaper rent, more spacious apartments, racial affinity, and familiarity with the area.
But Lisa Winters, executive director of the Bronx Community Pride Center, told the Times that problems still exist. “The Bronx lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community has largely been a hidden community for a very long time because of very real homophobia,” Winters said. “The Bronx is a very machismo borough, and it’s a very religious borough. The religious institutions have a very strong foothold here, and they preach from the pulpit that homosexuality is a sin."
The city's northernmost borough has become home to 3,000 gay couples (a fraction of the borough’s 1.3 million people), 49% of whom have children. The study estimates that about 26,000 same-sex couples in total live in the city, with most of them residing in more traditionally gay-friendly neighborhoods such as Manhattan's Chelsea and Brooklyn's Park Slope. Manhattan, for instance, houses 10,000 gay couples, but only about 4% of them have children according to the report.
Many gay parents say they have chosen to settle in the Bronx due to cheaper rent, more spacious apartments, racial affinity, and familiarity with the area.
But Lisa Winters, executive director of the Bronx Community Pride Center, told the Times that problems still exist. “The Bronx lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community has largely been a hidden community for a very long time because of very real homophobia,” Winters said. “The Bronx is a very machismo borough, and it’s a very religious borough. The religious institutions have a very strong foothold here, and they preach from the pulpit that homosexuality is a sin."
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stellella
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The whole area around Manhattan is generally very accepting of gays, it seems.
I would choose Brooklyn as my gay home away from the city...
- 3 years ago
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stellella
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bowtiekittydish
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stellella:
yeah i agree with you on that one
- 3 years ago
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bowtiekittydish
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purplefox
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Great article. It's telling that many of these gay couples are choosing relative economic stability and more space for their kids over greater levels of tolerance - should show homophobics that gay couples indeed *do* make good parents. I wonder if this move is increasing levels of acceptance in the Bronx?
- 3 years ago
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purplefox
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bowtiekittydish
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wow this is something i didnt notice as a new yorker
good to hear it :) - 3 years ago
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bowtiekittydish
