The Gay Ghetto

I went for a walk around West Hollywood (L.A.'s gay-borhood) over the weekend, something I haven't done since last summer. I can't tell you how many businesses have closed since I've been there. In fact, I've never seen so many empty storefronts before that weren't in a ghetto (and no, the "gay ghetto" doesn't count). Of course it's no surprise with the economy being in the state it's in, but seeing its effects hit me.


I went to visit A Different Light Bookstore, L.A.'s only GLBT bookstore, for the last time. After nearly 30 years of business, it's officially closing its doors at the end of the month (although will still be operating online and in San Francisco).




Similarly, in NYC, The Oscar Wilde Bookshop, operating since 1967 and believed to be the oldest GLBT bookstore in the country, is closing this month as well.

On the one hand, it's sad to see these businesses, which have had meaning and significance in our community for decades, close their doors. On the other hand, you could say that capitalism does not discriminate - these businesses are leaving because they are no longer needed by enough people. In 1967, The Oscar Wilde Bookshop was one of the only places to buy GLBT material anywhere in the country. The internet and big business have put a strain on independent shops in general, but there is another issue with GLBT businesses, and that is our community is becoming more and more mainstream. We can now buy GLBT books virtually anywhere - not just from businesses that cater specifically to us.

At the WGA panel I went to recently, one panelist mentioned that 10 or so years ago, there were 5,000 GLBT bookstores in the country. Now there are only 500, which he says "is a good thing," signifying that we've become less marginalized.

I can't say it's a good thing, but I don't think it's a bad thing either. It's just part of our evolution - you give up one thing to become another.

But while so many businesses have closed their doors, others in WeHo seemed to be booming. The nail salon, for example, was packed (Gay men do seem to love their pedicures, and the online marketplace still hasn't found a way to tap that).

Like looking at a glass that's half full, does an empty storefront point to the business that has failed and left, or does it point to the new one approaching? Emptiness is also an opportunity in waiting.

Taiwan Day #5

Happy New Year!! I know I haven't posted in awhile - I've been busy visiting friends and family for the holidays. I have one more 2008-related post, and then we'll move on to '09! So first, here is my last post of my trip to Taiwan (you can take a look at the other posts by clicking here and scrolling down).


My last day in Taipei, I only had a few hours before I left for the airport. Since I had accomplished most of my vacation to-do list and we were out late the night before, I allowed myself to sleep in. Then I went to the Wisteria Tea House with a couple of other filmmakers for lunch.




I chose the teahouse because it is said to be Taipei's most historic. Ang Lee also shot Eat Drink Man Woman there, which I haven't seen, but is now in my Netflix queue (the problem is that I add movies faster than I watch them, and I now have 346 movies in my queue. That's probably more than I've seen in my whole life. If I manage to watch one movie a week, I will be done with this particular movie list in about 6 and a half years).

The teahouse itself was cute but unassuming; however, the food was excellent and worth the trip.


Afterward, I went to Taiwan's first gay bookstore (there are now several others), a small shop in a residential area.



I looked through the DVD selection, hoping that perhaps one day Butch Jamie would make its way to the shelves.

After that, I said goodbye to everybody and went back to the hotel to catch the shuttle to the airport. It was definitely a memorable trip. Since screenings of the film are now tapering off, I don't know if I will get to do any more exotic traveling with the film, but it's been a blast while it's lasted. And of course, on to the next one...