04/19/2007
Rainbow Sign: Philadelphia's Gays Mark Their Territory
Two years of planning by the Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus with support from the City of Philadelphia, Washington Square Civic Association, and Philadelphia City Councilman Frank DiCicco came to a head yesterday as Philly marked its gay neighborhood, now designated the "gayborhood", with 36 rainbow street signs, installed from Chestnut to Pine Streets between 11th and Broad Streets.
Said DiCicco: "This sends a message to the region, country and world that Philadelphia is very diverse. This is a tribute to gay people and people who aren't that they have a willingness to live and work together."
According to the Philadelphia Daily News, "The Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus estimates that the travel market for gay and lesbians is a staggering $54 billion. And Philadelphia, organizers say, should see a healthy share of that money, given the gay-friendly clubs, restaurants and other establishments dotting the newly designated district. The more immediate impact, however, is this district serving as a sensitive bastion for gays and lesbians."
In a press release regarding the unveiling yesterday at 13th and Locust Streets, organizers made it clear that this was to be the city's gayest ceremony of the year: "After a short program, the Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus will sing 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' while confetti cannons shoot rainbow colors into the air."
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 9:15 AM EST by Andy in News, Philadelphia, Rainbow Flag, Travel | Permalink
Like it?
Subscribe to FREE Towleroad daily headlines with our RSS feed!
RECENT STORIES:
Comments
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
Now if we Pennsylvanians could only get our State government to follow New Jersey's and Massachusett's lead in terms of gay rights! But the visibility of rainbow colors on street signs in Center City Philadelphia is a great step in terms of visibility of our gay community in the City of Brotherly Love.
Posted by: John | Apr 19, 2007 9:32:38 AM
Wow this awesome! When i get some money together Im defiantly going to be heading over to phily!
Posted by: Nick | Apr 19, 2007 9:33:12 AM
I live in Nashville right now and am thinking of moving to Philly. Nice to know I'll be welcomed there!
Posted by: Morgan | Apr 19, 2007 9:54:37 AM
Well, it's nice...for those Philly gays who can afford to live in the gayborhood...would've been nicer 20 years ago when that area was loaded with gays actually living there--not just bar hopping.
When I hit the Powerball, I'll move back there.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Apr 19, 2007 10:59:03 AM
I think it's marvelous, and I think more cities and towns need to follow suit! Kudos to Philladephia, and to the residents of the Locust Street neighborhoods!
Gay is not just from June 1 to June 30, any more!
Posted by: Rad | Apr 19, 2007 11:03:45 AM
You know, i saw one of these signs this past Saturday night and thought that it was something special for the upcoming Equality Forum but apparently it is much BIGGER and more permanent than that! It is very nice to see, very reaffirming and welcoming. Well Done, Philly!!!
Posted by: virgoboy | Apr 19, 2007 11:14:35 AM
I hear where you're coming from, Derrick. Me and my partner looked into a move to Philly, but jobs are rare and the wages are stagnant. It is a lovely town, but this only helps the bars and restaurants.
Posted by: Gary | Apr 19, 2007 11:21:21 AM
Am I reading these comments correctly?
You're celebrating the creation of a ghetto... I don't understand.
Posted by: Max | Apr 19, 2007 12:31:18 PM
two years' of work and all they can come up with are some rainbow appendages for street signs? ha! come to chicago -- we've got damned 10-foot tall gay rocket ships on the gayborhood!
Posted by: james | Apr 19, 2007 2:09:56 PM
What happens when the borders shift, like they do in NYC every ten years?
Posted by: anon | Apr 19, 2007 2:09:58 PM
"...damned 10-foot tall gay rocket ships..."
I love phallic stuff too. In Philly, we've got a lot of man holes too...oh, Lord, I mean, pot holes. See what happens when you tryin' to say something cute.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Apr 19, 2007 2:30:30 PM