More businesses marketing to gay and lesbian consumers
http://www.gbmnews.com/articles/2126/1/More-businesses-marketing-to-gay-and-lesbian-consumers/Page1.html
Boom Shaka
Looking for articles of interest for the boomer generation... peace! By Boom Shaka
Published on 12/2/2007
By Dana Clark Felty
Gary Hall left the big city six years ago for the same reasons many mid-career baby boomers do.
"I just got fed up with the traffic there like everybody else," said Hall, owner of Wright Square Cafe.
The former Atlanta resident chose Savannah for its climate and proximity to the coast. The fact that the city was not a "gay mecca" like some major cities wasn't a concern.
Gay communities across the country have been credited with revitalizing and restoring historic inner-city neighborhoods.
Leaders in the local gay community recently circulated an Oct. 30 article from the New York Times on the decline of gay enclaves in major cities, which appear to be dying out as same-sex couples move to suburbs and smaller cities.
New York transplant-turned-Savannah Realtor Richard Gourley believes coastal cities such as Savannah will benefit as gay baby boomers look for a place to launch new businesses or retire.
"They want a gay community and they want to live where there's a large gay population, but they're not necessarily looking for bars and loud music and strip clubs and things of that sort," he said. "They just want to know they're in an environment that's accepting."
The number of reported same-sex couples has risen dramatically in the South and western mountain states, according to a recent study.
The report released in November by the Williams Institute for Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy at the UCLA School of Law found that the number of reported U.S. same-sex couples had quadrupled to nearly 780,000 nationwide between 1990 and 2006.
The east south central states of Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee saw a combined increase of more than 800 during that 16-year period.
Gary Hall left the big city six years ago for the same reasons many mid-career baby boomers do.
"I just got fed up with the traffic there like everybody else," said Hall, owner of Wright Square Cafe.
The former Atlanta resident chose Savannah for its climate and proximity to the coast. The fact that the city was not a "gay mecca" like some major cities wasn't a concern.
Gay communities across the country have been credited with revitalizing and restoring historic inner-city neighborhoods.
Leaders in the local gay community recently circulated an Oct. 30 article from the New York Times on the decline of gay enclaves in major cities, which appear to be dying out as same-sex couples move to suburbs and smaller cities.
New York transplant-turned-Savannah Realtor Richard Gourley believes coastal cities such as Savannah will benefit as gay baby boomers look for a place to launch new businesses or retire.
"They want a gay community and they want to live where there's a large gay population, but they're not necessarily looking for bars and loud music and strip clubs and things of that sort," he said. "They just want to know they're in an environment that's accepting."
The number of reported same-sex couples has risen dramatically in the South and western mountain states, according to a recent study.
The report released in November by the Williams Institute for Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy at the UCLA School of Law found that the number of reported U.S. same-sex couples had quadrupled to nearly 780,000 nationwide between 1990 and 2006.
The east south central states of Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee saw a combined increase of more than 800 during that 16-year period.
More businesses marketing to gay and lesbian consumers
By Dana Clark Felty
Gary Hall left the big city six years ago for the same reasons many mid-career baby boomers do.
"I just got fed up with the traffic there like everybody else," said Hall, owner of Wright Square Cafe.
The former Atlanta resident chose Savannah for its climate and proximity to the coast. The fact that the city was not a "gay mecca" like some major cities wasn't a concern.
Gay communities across the country have been credited with revitalizing and restoring historic inner-city neighborhoods.
Leaders in the local gay community recently circulated an Oct. 30 article from the New York Times on the decline of gay enclaves in major cities, which appear to be dying out as same-sex couples move to suburbs and smaller cities.
New York transplant-turned-Savannah Realtor Richard Gourley believes coastal cities such as Savannah will benefit as gay baby boomers look for a place to launch new businesses or retire.
"They want a gay community and they want to live where there's a large gay population, but they're not necessarily looking for bars and loud music and strip clubs and things of that sort," he said. "They just want to know they're in an environment that's accepting."
The number of reported same-sex couples has risen dramatically in the South and western mountain states, according to a recent study.
The report released in November by the Williams Institute for Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy at the UCLA School of Law found that the number of reported U.S. same-sex couples had quadrupled to nearly 780,000 nationwide between 1990 and 2006.
The east south central states of Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee saw a combined increase of more than 800 during that 16-year period.
"The U.S. population is moving south and west but this growth tells that it is not just a case of migration. It tells you that same-sex couples are being more open and visible," senior research fellow Gary Gates told Reuters.
Local entrepreneur Larry Hodges sees a growing market in Savannah among businesses trying to market to same-sex couples, generally believed to have a greater expendable income.
Since launching the online business guide gaysavannah.com, Hodges has attracted more viewers and advertisers each year.
"It's really been successful for us," said Hodges, an owner of Radius Media Group and marketing director for Mopper-Stapen Realtors. "People who want to market themselves to the gay community is a segment that's really growing."
Gaysavannah.com features a guide of gay-owned and "gay friendly" businesses and groups. Listings range from Realtors and restaurants to attorneys and pet sitters.
Based on e-mail responses, Hodges believes many of the people viewing the site are tourists and newcomers to Savannah.
"People want to know where can I get a gay friendly Realtor, where to stay and where to eat," Hodges said.
The First City Network also publishes a monthly newsletter that lists more than 150 businesses, organizations and churches marketing to the gay community. Started in 1985, the group claims to be the first advocacy group for gays and lesbians in the state.
Gourley, who serves on the board, said the group has been effective in providing information and support to the gay community during the past 22 years.
When it comes to real estate, fewer same-sex couples see a need to surround themselves with other same-sex couples, he said.
"When people come from Chicago or New York, one of the first things I tell them is, 'Look, we don't have a gay ghetto here. We are all over this city.' "
Gourley believes the creation of a local gay businesses association would help the city learn better how to cash in as baby boomers retire.
"This is a wonderful end destination. People should be coming to Savannah and know it has a strong gay community," he said.
"There are many gay-owned businesses here and there should be support for that."
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Gary Hall left the big city six years ago for the same reasons many mid-career baby boomers do.
"I just got fed up with the traffic there like everybody else," said Hall, owner of Wright Square Cafe.
The former Atlanta resident chose Savannah for its climate and proximity to the coast. The fact that the city was not a "gay mecca" like some major cities wasn't a concern.
Gay communities across the country have been credited with revitalizing and restoring historic inner-city neighborhoods.
Leaders in the local gay community recently circulated an Oct. 30 article from the New York Times on the decline of gay enclaves in major cities, which appear to be dying out as same-sex couples move to suburbs and smaller cities.
New York transplant-turned-Savannah Realtor Richard Gourley believes coastal cities such as Savannah will benefit as gay baby boomers look for a place to launch new businesses or retire.
"They want a gay community and they want to live where there's a large gay population, but they're not necessarily looking for bars and loud music and strip clubs and things of that sort," he said. "They just want to know they're in an environment that's accepting."
The number of reported same-sex couples has risen dramatically in the South and western mountain states, according to a recent study.
The report released in November by the Williams Institute for Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy at the UCLA School of Law found that the number of reported U.S. same-sex couples had quadrupled to nearly 780,000 nationwide between 1990 and 2006.
The east south central states of Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee saw a combined increase of more than 800 during that 16-year period.
"The U.S. population is moving south and west but this growth tells that it is not just a case of migration. It tells you that same-sex couples are being more open and visible," senior research fellow Gary Gates told Reuters.
Local entrepreneur Larry Hodges sees a growing market in Savannah among businesses trying to market to same-sex couples, generally believed to have a greater expendable income.
Since launching the online business guide gaysavannah.com, Hodges has attracted more viewers and advertisers each year.
"It's really been successful for us," said Hodges, an owner of Radius Media Group and marketing director for Mopper-Stapen Realtors. "People who want to market themselves to the gay community is a segment that's really growing."
Gaysavannah.com features a guide of gay-owned and "gay friendly" businesses and groups. Listings range from Realtors and restaurants to attorneys and pet sitters.
Based on e-mail responses, Hodges believes many of the people viewing the site are tourists and newcomers to Savannah.
"People want to know where can I get a gay friendly Realtor, where to stay and where to eat," Hodges said.
The First City Network also publishes a monthly newsletter that lists more than 150 businesses, organizations and churches marketing to the gay community. Started in 1985, the group claims to be the first advocacy group for gays and lesbians in the state.
Gourley, who serves on the board, said the group has been effective in providing information and support to the gay community during the past 22 years.
When it comes to real estate, fewer same-sex couples see a need to surround themselves with other same-sex couples, he said.
"When people come from Chicago or New York, one of the first things I tell them is, 'Look, we don't have a gay ghetto here. We are all over this city.' "
Gourley believes the creation of a local gay businesses association would help the city learn better how to cash in as baby boomers retire.
"This is a wonderful end destination. People should be coming to Savannah and know it has a strong gay community," he said.
"There are many gay-owned businesses here and there should be support for that."
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