Gentrification in Park Slope, Brooklyn

This is Sarah. The article by Tamar Rothernberg reveals how the gentrification of Park Slope, Brooklyn has brought to light a lesbian social culture. Throughout the last twenty years, lesbians have flocked to the now flourishing Park Slope as a great place for culture and diversity. However, this gentrification has in turn caused the housing prices to increase making it almost unaffordable for single women to live by themselves. According to Rothernsberg, because womens' wages are lower than mens, smaller incomes restrict lesbians' housing choices. Also, a significant portion of gay men do not have families to support, giving them greater income and economic stance.

I found it interesting that most lesbian women preferred not label Park Slope as a "lesbian community". These women also preferred not to associate themselves with the title. One woman states, "I belong to many different communities-- gay, animal, gardening, homeowners...I don't associate much with the lesbian community."

Rothernberg also compared Park Slope to other cities with a high lesbian population such as San Francisco and Los Angeles. The lesbian and gay social cultures in these cities seem to be more progressive and outspoken. The lesbian population is not as political nor powerful as those in San Francisco and Los Angeles. This can account for the women's resistance to label Park Slope as a lesbian community.

The increase in housing in Park Slope has led to gentrification in other more affordable areas in Brooklyn. One woman states, "Women are being out priced by rent increases; they're moving south, in Windsor Terrace, Prospect Heights, other places. We're the ones who lead gentrification without even knowing it." The gentrification of impoverished areas will continue as long as the prices in more prominent areas continue to increase.