The Mean Streets of San Francisco

The San Francisco Chronicle today published a story stating the gay community of San Francisco “is unwelcoming” and “that isolation can lead to depression, which itself can lead to substance use and abuse and risky sexual behavior.”

My personal experience living in San Francisco was just the opposite. While the story’s stats on HIV do ring true, I found the gay community in San Francisco the warmest I have ever experienced. Whether drinking in the Castro, carving turkeys at Glide on Thanksgiving, or celebrating sexuality at Folsom Street there seems to be a strong sense of self-expression and community there. People appreciate food, the arts, culture, and history.

San Franciscans smile on the street, volunteer, and take pride in their city and neighborhoods. I think that the city welcomes newcomers with open arms and that is why it is such a destination for many.