San Francisco’s Castro district is having an identity crisis. As straights move in, some fear districts loss of area’s character.

Yep! That’s the headline at the S.F. Chronicle.

To walk down San Francisco’s Castro Street – where men casually embrace on sidewalks in the shadow of an enormous rainbow flag – the neighborhood’s status as “gay Mecca” seems obvious. But up and down the enclave that has been a symbol of gay culture for more than three decades, heterosexuals are moving in. They have come to enjoy some of the same amenities that have attracted the neighborhood’s many gay and lesbian residents: charming houses, convenient public transportation, safe streets and nice weather.

There Goes the Neighborhood, Fair Warning

But some gay and lesbian residents of the Castro are worried that the culture and history of their world-famous neighborhood could be lost in the process, and they have started a campaign to preserve it’s character. The city, meanwhile, is spending $100,000 on a plan aimed at keeping the area’s gay identity intact.

Heterosexuals “are welcome as long as they understand this is our community,” said Adam Light, a leader in the Castro Coalition, a group formed eight months ago to address the shifts in the neighborhood in recent years.

Business Is Welcome – Well That’s Conditional Too

“We need to find and attract new businesses to the neighborhood,” said Paul Moffett, president of the Merchants of Upper Market and Castro. “They may not be gay-owned, but the bottom line is we want a vibrant, successful and healthy community. Whether gay, Chinese, African-American or owned by women, it doesn’t matter.

OUCH! I feel left out; is this open discrimination? Stay out of our neighborhood Whitey! Is that the message? So much for fair and equal but don’t get in the way of gay “rights”.

Hmmm…….If they wish to preserve “Castro” district I understand Cuba is nice this time of year.