Home, Fabulous Home - Speaking of gays and their disposable income, I read a story on Salon this week having to do with a new gated condominium complex in Ft. Lauderdale targeted at gay buyers. The article raises the question "Is this the new gay American dream: First you get illegally married, then you move to Wilton Station?" Who knew that Wilton Manor, a place where "gays and straights coexist peacefully in a sort of mini-Epcot of sexuality" is the only American city, other than West Hollywood, where a majority of City Council members are openly gay. I certainly didn't know that before reading the story.

Now, of course there are complaints about how using gay focus groups might encourage stereotypes, mostly of the Queer Eye variety: [Gay customers] "do demand a higher level of design...more detail. Nicer columns, nicer paving patterns." But there were some pre-existing stereotypes voiced by naysayers of the project, when talking about some of the gay-friendly amenities that they envisioned: "Gerbil pens acceptable to neighborhood covenants? KY dispensers in the bedrooms?" Um, number one, only Richard Gere and Mr. Slave are into gerbils. And, number two, what self respecting gay man uses KY?

Of course, it won't only be gays moving into the complex. The builders want it to be a tolerant and diverse community...gay and straight welcome, as long as they can pass the credit check. "We don't want to build something that will be interpreted as specifically designed for the gay population," say the builders....right, you want something Queer Eye-approved that will appeal to straight women too. I think it's time to take a scouting trip for vacation property to purchase!