Gay village

A gay village (sometimes called a gay ghetto or gay enclave) is usually an urban geographic location with generally recognized boundaries where a large number of gay and lesbian people, as well as bisexuals and transsexuals live. They usually contain a number of gay-oriented establishments, such as gay bars or pubs, nightclubs, bathhouses, restaurants, bookstores, and other businesses.

Gay villages as exclusionary

It has been argued that Gay Villages are often exclusionary in nature, even though they would seem, on the surface, not to be. Additionally, it has been argued that those who are not a part of the "mainstream" gay culture (i.e., well-off, gay white men), including lesbians, people of color, bisexuals, and the transgendered community, sometimes find that there is no place for them in gay villages.

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Urban transformations that result from gentrification can, at times, seem to only benefit a specific subculture within the gay community, while those without the necessary cultural and economic capital are excluded. Critics argue that only the least threatening and most conspicuously consuming aspects of gay culture are emphasized in the gay villages, while others are pushed out or marginalized. The rhetoric of the so-called "pink economy" - that emphasizes the supposed greater disposable income of gays - obscures poverty amongst the gay and lesbian community.

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This is not the case, however, in every city featuring a Gay Village. For example, the community in Denver, Colorado is very well-known for its high representation of people of color as well as transgendered individuals.

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