Marvin Gaye plays in Donna Aceto's West Village apartment, reflecting on her 35 years in the neighborhood. She recalls its transformation since moving from Brooklyn, highlighting the area's growing straight demographic and the impact on queer residents. Developers are constructing luxury apartments, escalating rents to levels that exclude longtime residents. Small, queer-owned businesses struggle against rising costs and competition from high-end establishments, leading to a loss of the historical queer essence of the West Village. This shift jeopardizes the existence of LGBTQ+ elders vital to the community's rich history.
A day without Marvin Gaye is like a day without sunshine. Aceto, who has lived in her apartment for 35 years, notes the significant changes in the neighborhood.
The West Village has become increasingly less viable for the queer elders who planted roots in the apartments they've been in for years.
Developers build new apartment houses and charge astronomical rents that drive up prices, making it unlivable for many queer residents.
The influx of affluent, predominantly white residents along with expensive venues is effectively de-queering the neighborhood and threatening its historical significance.
Collection
[
|
...
]