Growing Pains in the Castro

[luna_k]

Interesting article in the LA Times about the conflicts between parents & some merchants in America's most famous gayborhood, The Castro.
Brody Paul and his kid brother Zander are making their after-school rounds in this city's Castro district - one of the most openly gay neighborhoods in America

Comments

[ladyoneill]

I have nothing against porn (gee, what a surprise *g) but having displays like that in windows or having X rated films on shelves available for viewing by everyone is just wrong. Patrons aren't going to be lured in by one dildo on display in the window; they're going there anyway.

Our sex shops have very discreet window displays and neither seems to be suffering for business. (And, yes, we in Kansas do have sex *g*)

No. No. No.

[rare_exile]

No. I'm sorry, but no. The most famous gay community in North America does not need to be kid friendly. This world is not built for children. If you want family-friendly fare, take your kids to Disneyworld.

There are plenty of places in San Francisco with less lurid window displays.

I'm sick of the argument that something should be toned down, censored, or made unavailable to the general populace because a child might see it. It's usually a smokescreen for some adult who's offended by said thing. Because who would argue that children don't have a right to be protected from... well, everything?

I would. I'm sick of it. Leave the Castro alone.

[coniraya]

I don't understand why anything needs to be child friendly. I have my own issues with the Castro but that is not one of them. The world is not meant for children, not all people want children and most importantly the Castro is not for children. This is a strip of bars and club with shops in between why is your child there and why are you letting your 12 & 8 year olds wander the streets at all.

I don't need to change my life because it offends someone, just as you don't have to alter yours if it offends me and that's the end. Also beside the dildo none of it sounds any worse than what a child can see any night watching T.V. except that's it's male/male. Isn't that the really problem, "Don't let my son see a man in a speedo! Oh sure he can watch Baywatch." It's heterosexist bullshit. They don't tone down the male/female vibe everywhere else on earth but two blocks that queer people have made their own and you just need to reclaim it somehow.