Here are your options: An eclectic city with a dynamic music and arts scene, an energized nightlife and quaint historic districts, or a buttoned-down city dotted with big-box retailers, strip malls and monolithic, stand-alone stadiums. If you’re looking for a place to live, which one do you choose? Or, to look at it another way, if you’re a growing city, which plan do you follow in order to be successful?
According to Richard Florida’s book The Rise of the Creative Class, you choose the first option. Florida used what he calls the “Creativity Index” to rank cities according to their economic viability and ability to attract and retain young, creative people via three criteria: technology, talent and tolerance. If technology, talent and tolerance = success, then Charlotte is missing the boat. You can read more details of exactly what Florida says about our city’s place in the Creative Class equation by reading Tara Servatius’ accompanying article.
In this article, we’re exploring where some creative Charlotteans feel the city fits into the “diversity and tolerance” part of the Creative Class picture. We talked with newcomers to the city to see what drew them here and what they think about its potential for attracting creative people. And we talked with the folks that Richard Florida calls the “canaries” of the creative economy — the gay and lesbian community. According to Florida, the presence of a strong, successful gay/lesbian community signals an environment that would attract creative people from a variety of backgrounds.
Better, but a long way to go
Florida stresses that a city needs to be tolerant of diversity so it can attract a variety of people who look, think and act differently. “Where gays are will be a community that has the underlying preconditions that attract the creative class of people,” he writes. “Gays tend to gravitate toward the types of places that will be attractive to many members of the creative class.”
We spoke to some of the more politically and socially active members of Charlotte’s gay community to get an idea of how they see Charlotte’s record in the area of diversity and tolerance.
A couple of things emerged: Overall, those interviewed said that Charlotte is more “gay friendly” than in the past, but there’s still a lot of room for improvement. While the idea of a gay couple walking hand-in-hand is no big deal in some parts of the Queen City, it’s still akin to painting yourself purple and wearing a chicken on your head — and even dangerous — in others.
Another main point that emerged is that while some bigger companies in Charlotte embrace and welcome diversity, as demonstrated by their policies and benefits, our elected officials still don’t get it, as evidenced by the city and county’s policies and benefits.
Sure, Charlotte is still light-years away from places like New York, or even Atlanta, in terms of diversity and open-mindedness. But on the flip side, the weather is great, and the city is still a comparatively easy place in which to live and navigate. And remember, we’re talking about a city whose leaders were so homophobic and clueless that in 1997 the County Commission voted to cut $25 million in funding to the Arts and Science Council because they objected to homosexual themes in Charlotte Rep’s production of Angels in America. It’s five years later. Has anything changed?
“In some ways yes, but in a lot of ways it hasn’t changed at all,” said Phil Wells, an attorney. “At that time, there was very little participation in the political process by the gay and lesbian community. As a result of the Arts and Science Council funding fiasco, we formed the Mecklenburg Gay & Lesbian PAC [MeckPAC, a political action committee]. We have canvassed neighborhoods for candidates, we have put up yard signs, raised money, held fundraisers, but we’re really no further along on any issue than when Angels in America was here. You’ve still got people like Bill James calling us felons, and no other elected officials want to challenge him on that. If you look at communities where there is true respect for diversity and gay and lesbian rights, you’ll see leadership from elected officials on gay issues. You don’t have that here.”
It’s been Charlotte’s elected officials’ reluctance to champion any gay issues that seems to most frustrate members of the gay community. Many say that while there has been some dialogue behind the scenes with the city’s politicians, when it comes time to publicly show support, the answer is always “Not now, I’m up for re-election.”
“Our elected officials could certainly do more,” said Mike Davis, a director of Wachovia Securities. “They seek and receive our support, but unfortunately we don’t get a whole lot of support in return. Domestic partner benefits at the city/county level would deliver a big message. And I think they could be more supportive in their dialogue.”
“The reason why there has been so little progress is because we’re in the Bible Belt, and it’s tough for politicians,” said writer and CL sports columnist Susan Shackelford. “And the gay community is not as organized or vigilant as it could be. It’s really just a numbers thing. Domestic partner benefits have generally come from companies that are national or are technology companies. But it could still be a lot better.”
So while there has been little progress on the political front, some Charlotte businesses, albeit mostly ones that are national in scope, are a little more progressive.
“I think the business market in Charlotte is in front of the government sector,” said Davis. “For example, here at Wachovia, we do offer domestic partner benefits; diversity is an embraced initiative. So there are some large corporate entities in Charlotte letting it be known that the gay and lesbian community is welcome.”
“Oftentimes here in Charlotte the business community sets the tone for our elected officials,” said Wells. “You look at a number of companies that are headquartered here and they do have domestic partner benefits and recruit gay and lesbian employees. So that’s positive, but that’s also just good business. So I think the business community might be catching on, but our elected officials still don’t get it.”
Opinions are a mixed bag regarding Charlotte’s social and cultural front as well, with many of the folks interviewed pointing out that Charlotte’s entertainment options are pretty limited for most people, regardless of whether they’re straight or gay.
“There are as many different gay personalities as there are straight personalities, and there are certainly cities that have more diversity and extremes in all of their cultures,” said Tom Warshaur, employment and business services manager for the City of Charlotte. “Charlotte is pretty mainstream, and it works great for a lot of people, but there are also a lot of people who wish it had a richer cultural life. There just aren’t as many options here — for both straight and gay people. So I don’t think it’s particularly oppressive for gays. The city could certainly be more accommodating of adults and not just focus all its time and energy on what it takes to be a good place to raise children. How about what does it take to be a good place to be an adult? Why can’t we have entertainment that’s interesting and stimulating for people in their 20s and 30s rather than just 6 to 12-year-olds?”
“Charlotte has become more gay friendly and tolerant over the course of time,” said Dan Kirsch, a management consultant. “I’ve been here since 1989 and I’ve seen vast improvements. There are a lot of social opportunities out there, but people aren’t sure how to find them; they tend to just look on the surface. But our political leaders just don’t play a part in the welcoming of the lesbian/gay/bi/transgender community. There are individuals who are more open and willing to participate, like [City Council member] Sara Spencer.”
“You can generally be out and open here, but in many ways there is very little support,” said Wells. “You can go to places like 300 East where there are a lot of gay and lesbian people and you can be open. But if you go down to South Charlotte there are still places where if two men walked into a restaurant together, they might as well have four heads.”
Finally, considering the abundance of cities that are more tolerant and diverse — in which many of the folks interviewed have lived — what keeps them here in Charlotte?
“Charlotte is my home,” said Davis, who left Charlotte in the early 90s and lived in both Atlanta and New York, and returned a few years ago. “There are other cities that have more to offer both socially and culturally, but this is just an easier city to live in. It’s also more challenging being part of a vehicle of change here in Charlotte because we’ve got farther to go. In New York, just about everything is embraced and accepted, but you didn’t feel like you were affecting change so much because there was less change to be had.”
Wells moved to Charlotte about 10 years ago, and last year was offered a job in Chicago, which he ultimately turned down. “My employer enticed me to stay in Charlotte, which was a very tough decision,” Wells said. “Professionally it was a great move to stay here, but personally, I looked at Chicago and thought, “Wow, how exciting it would be to live in a much more vibrant city that’s more accepting of gays and lesbians.’ So that’s a constant struggle, which I think it is for a lot of people. Bill James always says we don’t want to be the next San Francisco. Well, you know what, some of us would like for it to be a little more like San Francisco — we don’t want to necessarily walk around with chaps on, but we just want to be accepted.”
Warshaur has been a Charlotte resident for 12 years, and like most of those interviewed, he says it’s the ease of the city and its potential that keep him here. “I think it’s a city in which we’re really witnessing the establishment of a lot of good things,” Warshaur said. “In the past five years I’ve seen the development of a lot of great cultural venues. Here you can be part of developing a city rather than just an observer.”
Newcomers find potentialMelissa Post, curator of the Mint Museum Craft + Design.Post moved to Charlotte from New York in January.
“I never thought I would move south of New York. I’m from New England and I’ve lived out in Colorado. I came down with a very open mind, but almost immediately I sensed that Charlotte was an exciting, vibrant city. There’s warmth in the South that you don’t have up North. I came from somewhere that was truly cutthroat. People’s goals are different. I sensed a real interest in art here, and it seemed like everyone was more receptive to new ideas. What appeals to me most is there is all this potential to take the ball and run with it. Everyone I talked to said how the art scene is growing and emerging, but people would still like more. So there’s this real hunger. Sure, just about everything was in New York, and most of it within walking distance from where I lived, but I like the fact that there’s a lot of potential here, and our options will continue to grow as the city grows. I think we’re definitely headed in the right direction.”Lee Hoech, Web services marketing manager for Muzak.Muzak relocated to Charlotte from Seattle in 1999.
“I’m 35 and married, so when I moved here it wasn’t that big of a deal because I wasn’t living to go out all the time. Had I moved here when I was 24, it would have been devastating. Charlotte is a very married town. It’s not singles-friendly at all — it’s so cliquish. But if you’re married and a homeowner, it’s great.
“There’s a complete night and day difference between Seattle and Charlotte. For one thing, there’s stuff that’s old in Seattle. And Seattle is a new town, even by North Carolina standards. Uptown Charlotte is so sanitized — it’s a financial center, and it looks and acts like one. Seattle had tons of bars and restaurants around it. There’s the Seattle Center, and Pioneer Square, which is an old collection of junky buildings that people fixed up and put art studios and bars and restaurants in. It’s a core center of about four blocks where you can hear everything from jazz and blues to techno and dance music.
“Geographically, it was a little bit harder to get around than Charlotte, but there was always something to do. Charlotte is a weekend town — Friday night comes, everyone is out. We go to movies during the week and we’re all alone. On the weekends, it’s wall-to-wall people. Everything here is so scattered. I mean out at the Coliseum where the Hornets played there’s what, one bar? There’s no core district. I don’t know why the city or some investors won’t take over those old plants around the football stadium or just build around it. What’s it got now — a Firestone dealer, a hotel and a strip club?”
Susanne Fetscher, president of the McColl Center for Visual Art. “I would rate Charlotte a six on a hipness scale of one to 10. It has pockets of hipness (uptown, North Davidson, Plaza-Midwood, Elizabeth) but we need more — a critical mass — to be really hip. The theater scene is the strongest among the arts disciplines represented. Visual artists have a hard time making a living in Charlotte. It’s expensive to live here. Studio space is expensive to rent. There isn’t a large art-buying public. And it’s difficult for artists to find jobs where they can make enough money to live and do their artwork in the evenings and on weekends. Many artists have had to move to other cities that provide more opportunities for artists.
“Some other things missing in Charlotte are one or more major universities that have a presence in the city and play a role in the intellectual life of the city; an MFA program would ensure art enthusiasts and participants. We also need more great bookstores, both new and used, preferably with exhibition space, readings, etc. Public transportation that’s inviting, easy to use, inexpensive, clean and safe. More greenspace, especially downtown, also with public art (some interactive). A festival park for large free events. Bike paths all over town; many other communities integrate public art into their bike paths. And finally more alternative publications with thoughtful, well-written art/ literary/ architectural/ theater/ music criticism. Overall, Charlotte is trying hard but it’s not there, yet. Of course, without McColl Center, Charlotte would be a five.”
Kimberly Wolff, Director of Marketing for Muzak.“I grew up in Baltimore, and lived in Seattle for about seven months before coming to Charlotte. Now that we’ve been here three years I’ve really seen some changes. The nightlife, particularly downtown, has really grown. Honoring and celebrating that would do a lot for the city. I think it would also get different types of creative organizations here. We need to be better rounded in all areas. One of the best things anybody can do to improve a city is to simply get involved. That really opens up a lot of opportunities and doors to find out what’s going on. Charlotte could certainly do more to promote different associations and clubs.
“There are great things about this city; it’s just hard to find them. There are things to do, but they’re all the same. You’ve got Time Lounge, the Comedy Zone, plays at Blumenthal. But there aren’t that many options outside of that. You can’t do that every weekend. Within the Boston city limits there are 70 universities and colleges, so it’s a party scene and there’s a lot to do. And culturally there was so much history, museums, shopping, the public library is a piece of art. Seattle is really eclectic. Everybody could do their own thing and there was a lot to do. It wasn’t as cookie cutter as Charlotte. One thing I do like about Charlotte is that it’s easier to meet people. In Seattle you almost had to be from there to really fit in. In Charlotte, most people aren’t from here, so everybody is kind of in the same boat.
“The city needs to do more to promote what it has to offer. Outside of Creative Loafing, there’s not a lot of promotion for things that are creative, that younger people would want to do. If you look at the Carolina Living section of the Observer, it’s not about things to do, it’s about gardening and cooking. There are people out there interested in that, but it doesn’t really cover the creative, alternative options out there.”
Rachel Nagy, a realtor for Knox Realty in Davidson.She first lived in New York, then New Orleans and finally San Francisco before moving to the Charlotte area two years ago, drawn by the allure of Lake Norman. She currently lives in Mooresville and works in Davidson.
“I think it’s amazing you can be out at the lake one minute and half an hour later be at a play or show in Charlotte,” Nagy says. “I always call Charlotte mini-New York. Charlotte has what I like about New York and doesn’t have all the stuff that I can’t stand about New York. For example Charlotte is very easy to get around and, at least to me, it’s sparkling clean. The one thing I don’t like is the lack of culture. New York did have all the museums and the big Broadway shows as well as the off-off-Broadway shows. The whole arena issue was so disappointing to me because I thought it would be a great asset to the city and bring a lot of other interesting cultural aspects. I would like to see more museums that have traveling exhibits so we can see what the rest of the world sees. And I do miss the diversity of people. I wish Charlotte wasn’t so close-minded. I think the city needs to make more of an effort to expose people to different cultures. That would really open the city up.”
See additional coverage of Creative Class issues in our music section.
This article appears in Oct 9-15, 2002.
