Dear BTL,
I do agree to a degree that Detroit is not the best place for the gay and lesbian audience. I'm from Grand Rapids, I have found that everyone I have met here has been very accepting of gays and lesbians. I think that the whole mindset that Grand Rapids is a very conservative city is in the eye of the beholder. Granted we don't have a gay neighborhood, but things seem more spread out here. Personally, I think cities such as Chicago and New York that have a "gayborhood" promote segregation. In order for a city to truly succeed, it has to be open to new ideas and new people in all of its parts.
Crime in Grand Rapids is fairly low for a Michigan city especially when compared to Detroit. I live only three miles from downtown and I think my neighborhood is very safe. Although we have seen a large loss of jobs in manufacturing, Grand Rapids is poised to be a nationally recognized destination for health care and professional jobs. Like everything else in life, it just takes some time.
Daniel,
Grand Rapids
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