My neighborhood is changing. My friend Eric just returned to his job at the Castro District Peet's Coffee. He was gone to India and surrounds for six months. Eric confirms a vivid reality. The Castro has gone from 90% gay men to 80% gay men and 10% lesbian and other women. A noticeable change. Eric calls it re-genderification.
Another change is that two Palestinian corner groceries (18th and 21st) have been replaced with young white middle class owners. From dark, cluttered stores, with windows painted over, and whisky and cigarettes behind a counter that looks like it hides a loaded shotgun to -- clean floors, windows opened up, bright light, color, fresh fruit, flowers and smiling young owners behind low, open counters.