Political Crossfire Forums

[Valdimar]

Being gay myself, I had a rather skewed view of San Francisco... until I moved here having actually never even visited here. I have been here for 6 months and I feel that is a fair amount of time to have a real opinion of the way of life here.

However, before I make my assessment, I want to see opinions/views of others that have either A) Simply visited B) Never Been Here, or C) Lives here themselves.

Be honest.

[John Galt]

A) There is a large homeless problem. San Fran ought to stop allits services. Currently it pays more per homeless person than any other city in the country. Natually, it has more homeless than anywhere else. It makes the town dirty.

[Shady]

I have family that lives right across from the bay and we've visited before. Really don't know enough about the city to say much about it though. Lots of people in wierd outfits. Lots of sea lions too (or seals maybe, I can't remeber which)

[Enoch]

I've never been to San Francisco, but I really hate hearing about how it is a "gay city." What does the gay population of a city have to do with anything? I have been told numerous times that, since I am gay, that I would "love San Fran." Well, there is a lot more to a city than its gay population. The fact that some people, not anyone here, looks at nothing more is rather disheartening, in my opinion.

[rxb fan]

Simply visited once. Seemed like a pretty cool place, but you have to take into consideration that I've hardly seen very many big cities before.

[Valdimar]

It's a cultural melting pot here. There are many kinds here rather than gays. I'm sure there are more straight people than those of the GLBT community, or those you can't tell... etc. Gays like it here because of the non-judgemental tone of the city all around. You can walk around label free because noone really cares. Everyone is accepted for what they are. Also, honestly, the gay "scene" here is a bit disappointing. I've been to other cities where it is much larger and more interesting.

Gays love it here because they face the least amount of (maybe even close to NO) heterosexism... at least of the very many places I have visited. I could easily see myself staying here for a long time, but with all of my family and a good chunk of my great friends being on the other side of the country, then I don't know. I only came here with the intention to go to Law school at UC Berkeley or Stanford.

[F'losrix]

Valdimar:

Is it really that open and free througout the city? Or just in the solidly gay districts?

I've never been to SF and I really have no burning desire to go, either - mainly because I don't much care for the pace of urban life.

I've also no great desire to move to a mostly gay district just to feel more free. Sure, I'd like to feel more at ease, but if it means moving to big city and surrounding myself with gay people, forget it. I don't believe that we grow (or help others to grow) by isolating ourselves from mainstream society that way. I really hate being told that if I don't like the way gay people are treated where I live, I should just move. I'd prefer to be treated well where I'm already making my living, where I'm close to family and trusted friends. I guess I'm stubborn that way - why should I move just so someone else can feel more free to hate gay people in my absence?

[Valdimar]

It's like that pretty much all through the *entire* Bay Area. The Castro, which is the "gayborhood", is the only place where it is a bit overwhelming. You mention the "pace of urban life"... I'll be the first to tell you it isn't nearly as fast paced of a major metropolitan area as you may think. Yes, people are constantly on the go, but in a more relaxed and casual manner compared to say New York, Washington DC, and Chicago. Hell... it is more relaxed here than my hometown Toledo, OH.. believe it or not.

[00timh]

having lived in San Jose Ca and been to San Franscisco several times it is actually one of the better cities in the U.S. I don't agree with the politics of S.F (not the gay marriages but just the overall grotesque amounts of politically correctness. It is probably one of the cleanest cities. I think Golden Gate park is one of the nicest parks.

they are obviously more open minded to homosexuality than most other major cities but the castro area which you are talking about does not take up a far greater percentage than other major cities with similar disricts. in some ways similar to the village in NYC but probably a little more intense when it comes to gay people. Pretty freaky no matter what though.

[Robin Hood]

Quote: However, before I make my assessment, I want to see opinions/views of others that have either A) Simply visited B) Never Been Here, or C) Lives here themselves.

Some stupid conservative: It's Soddom and Gomorrah!!!! ----- Seriously though, I hear it's pretty cool. I don't really associate it with gays though, why would I? I associate it with Bullet and Steve McQueen carreering down the roads; and with the stories of the parties that my ex-girlfriend used to tell me about (she lived just outside there for 6 months), and said it was awesome.

A place, when I make it to California, that I'll be visiting. Oh yeah, I'm 'B' -never beend there.

Quote: I'd prefer to be treated well where I'm already making my living, where I'm close to family and trusted friends. I guess I'm stubborn that way

it's not stubborn, it's what should be expected.

[gordon1]

i used to live there about 11 years ago but moved to arkansas. I visited there the summer before last and its a terrific town. Its to cold during the summer though.