Not for women only.I was angered by Laura Weinstock's column [Last Word, November 23]. Northampton is known as the "lesbian mecca" of the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. . However, when you visit Northampton, one of the things you will notice is that the lesbian population has not driven out straight people. This is not a gay town. It is a small New England town The New England town is the basic unit of local government in each of the six New England states. An institution that does not have a direct counterpart in most other U.S. states, New England towns are conceptually similar to civil townships in that they were originally set up so that happens to have a lot of lesbians. I don't think people here are trying to assimilate as·sim·i·late v. 1. To consume and incorporate nutrients into the body after digestion. 2. To transform food into living tissue by the process of anabolism. . I think they are trying to live and raise their families in a place where their kids aren't the only kids with gay parents and where there will be gay people in their neighborhood. I have lived in Northampton for 2 1/2 years, and I love it. How many small New England towns Main article: New England town. See that article for further explanation. This is called a List of New England Towns, but also includes municipalities incorporated as cities or organized as plantations with those types indicated as such. have you been to that have a gay pride celebration attended by thousands of people every single year? How many small New England towns have you been to that put up signs in storefronts on May 17 to show support and solidarity with those who would now have the right to be married? This is by no means a perfect place, and it is not the Castro or the Village or Dupont Circle Dupont Circle is a traffic circle in the northwest quadrant of Washington, D.C., at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue, Connecticut Avenue, New Hampshire Avenue, P Street and 19th Street. . It isn't trying to be. Northampton is not for everyone. It is very small and very New England New England, name applied to the region comprising six states of the NE United States—Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. The region is thought to have been so named by Capt. . It is not a big city, and it's not going to have the feel, politics, or pretty much anything that any of those places have. It is what it is, and a good number of us live here and love it and would never leave or change it significantly. I suggest, Ms. Weinstock, that you get over it, find another place to live, or create some of the things you feel are missing yourself. Tara Lindros, Northampton, Mass. Thank you, Laura Weinstock. This issue is so difficult to articulate, but you did a stellar job. I live in a small town in the Southwest that is virtually lesbian-free. When I talk about needing lesbian community, my het friends are offended of·fend v. of·fend·ed, of·fend·ing, of·fends v.tr. 1. To cause displeasure, anger, resentment, or wounded feelings in. 2. on some level and ask if it really makes a difference. I don't expect them to understand this need entirely, but when they see a group of us dykes together, I think they get an inkling in·kling n. 1. A slight hint or indication. 2. A slight understanding or vague idea or notion. [Probably alteration of Middle English (a) ningkiling, . I have lesbian friends who say they don't really need to be in a lesbian community. That I don't get. And there is no explaining to them. Thanks. Nancy A. Drigotas, Ajo, Ariz. Wow and kudos to Laura Weinstock for speaking her voice! Obviously too many in her community (and others across our land) have become too complacent to realize that we do deserve to be different, even as we become part of the mainstream woven fabric. Horst Glamsch and Brian Crawford via the Internet |
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