Gentrification in New York City's West Village is adversely affecting its queer community, especially queer elders. Residents and historians express concern about the neighborhood losing its historical LGBTQ+ significance, with long-time resident Donna Aceto remarking on how the area has become predominantly straight and lamenting the disappearance of gay and lesbian bars. Drag performer Miss Simone reminisces about the vibrant queer scene that once thrived, highlighting a growing disconnect between older and newer residents in these spaces. The commitment to preserving the queer history and community remains strong among long-term residents.
"It's gotten very straight," Donna Aceto, a long-time resident, says. "I miss the old places. I miss the things that used to be here. There were a lot more gay bars and lesbian bars."
For drag performer Miss Simone, she remembers the vibrant queer days of the neighborhood. "You had all these gay kids everywhere. That's where everybody went to forget their troubles." But as a newer crop of young people moved in, they had less respect when it came to being in queer spaces, she explains. "They make you feel like you're a guest at your own party."
The fight to preserve the neighborhood's rich queer history and community continues, though. "It's my home. I love it. I've been here forever, and I'm not letting anyone chase me out," Aceto says.
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