There Will Be No Halloween For The Gays

San Francisco's annual Halloween party in the Castro has been cancelled this year!

Click here to read a great article in today's New York Times about the gentrification of gay neighborhoods and what that means for the homosexually inclined.

Posted: Oct 30, 2007 at 12:38 pm / Email this »

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149 comments to “There Will Be No Halloween For The Gays”

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TASHA says – reply to this

1

sadness
TASHA says – reply to this

2

third
fu says – reply to this

3

Re: FIRST CRAP –

you're JUST AS FUCKING BAD!!!!!
TASHA says – reply to this

4

fourth
Leah says – reply to this

5

2nd! i think
Jack says – reply to this

6

how much is nip tuck paying you to have all of these ugly ads everywhere??
Mary Jane says – reply to this

7

every one in the castro distict is comming to Santa Cruz for our crazy downtown celebration!
jenne says – reply to this

8

The annual Halloween street party has likely been cancelled because of the rampant crime that's occurred over the years and NOT because it was in a gay neighborhood. Gangs from all over the Bay Area — and other people who like to get violent — had increasingly been attending the event, and every year there were more and more violent activities that went down — women getting raped, stabbings, fights, etc. I went to Halloween in 2002 and it was frightening … that year i think there were only stabbings. Anyway, the article in the NYT is very interesting for other reasons but it's somewhat misleading to post an article about the Castro's "gentrification" and the cancellation of the Halloween activities there; it seemingly connects the cancellation with some kind of 'gentrification' attitude, which is almost certainly NOT the case. It's more likely that the gays AND straights of the neighborhoods did not like having their area overrun by a bunch of drunken gang members shooting up the place on Halloween.
Sarah says – reply to this

9

Thats because there were 7 murders last year dipshit… it has nothing to do with Gays, get off your high horse
heksie says – reply to this

10

trust me, Castro is overrated, is not what i used to be. There is a lot more places now all throught San Francisco and some parts of the Bay Area. It is becoming passe as the report says.
Michelle says – reply to this

11

Every year it get's more and more violent. Nobody from The Castro actually goes. Something had to change. Next year I'm sure The City will find an alternative. Who needs gun shots, knife fights and gay bashing? Not SF and not The Castro.
agoodgrrrl says – reply to this

12

please - i am in san francisco and the party will go on. this year there may just not be any portapottys
Cort says – reply to this

13

I live in the city and Castro on Halloween is too out of control. Last year there were two shootings and six stabbings…it's a good thing. Halloween for the gays? Try Halloween for every asshole within a 60 mile radius. Caio.
jacklyn says – reply to this

14

i know what the fuck, i live in sf and castro is where you go for halloween.

how sad
NickLovin says – reply to this

15

I was shocked when I found out SF was closing down the Halloween celebration. I have been traveling 100+ miles for the last few years just to go. It was a great time for everybody; gay, bi, or straight. I myself am a straight male and have never once thought or cared that it was a gay community. Everybody embraced everybody. Of course there are a few idiots that still can't accept that happiness is for everyone, but other than that, it is a great time for everyone. I'm very saddened to see that I won't be able to enjoy the tradition that is the Castro. Hopefully San Francisco finds a way to deal with this better in the upcoming years.
mander says – reply to this

16

VIRGINIA BEACH HOLLLAAA!! REPIN THe DUCE UP DUCE DOWN!!!
tim says – reply to this

17

there were NO murders! A idiot fired off his automatic gun, before he knew it nine bullets hit the ground and bounced up and hit nine people. None were seriously hurt. The problem is that gangs from other neighborhoods troll the crowd and harass gays and lesbians. They bash, abuse and taunt the LGBT community on this night. I've witnessed first hand this behavior and worse. The politicians are afraid to get their hands bloody.
madam pince says – reply to this

18

Man, what a depressing story. I'm a straight gal who's lived in predominately gay neighborhoods and prefer them ANY DAY — I feel safer, protected and more accepted. The crime rate is obviously why the Halloween party has been called off, which makes me wonder — do we have to stop celebrating life to survive it?!? What a commentary on life in the 21st century.
stuff my muff says – reply to this

19

that sucks. who cares what gay people do in their own neighborhood? anyone who intentionally spends time seeking out homosexuals to assault is beyond insecure in themselves and deserves a huge can of whoop ass from the karmic debt collector.
Francisco says – reply to this

20

I live in SF and its canceled because of all the crime that happens there every year! I'm sad about it but its just to dangerous….but it will probably still happen anyway!
tikitok says – reply to this

21

People who live in SF (and Castro) are glad it's closed this year because we're tired of the violence (doesn't matter if NO ONE was killed — isn't being shot enuf?) People outside are the big objectors — get your own violent party.
justjen says – reply to this

22

I'm so sad to hear this. When I lived in San Fran we never missed Castro Street on Halloween. I'd have friends fly in from out of town just to see it. It was fun and exciting and it didn't matter who you were or what you came as. I can't believe it's not going to be happening anymore. That was always the highlight of our year. It's going to be missed.
Lauren says – reply to this

23

What? That was the best Halloween party I've ever been to! Gay, Straight, it didn't matter - that was THE party and everybody was there. It was the most effort put into Halloween ever - it should be applauded!
asdf says – reply to this

24

AWWWW SHUCKS! No giant debauchery this year! Where can people go now to revel in their sexual degeneracy? Oh, wait, that's right, everywhere else…
tika says – reply to this

25

whats wrong with gay people i have gay friends and they are kool
Jules says – reply to this

26

This is rather old news, but maybe because IM from San Jose, 1 hr from Frisco and I have gone to Castro for every Halloween sinse I was 18. Castro is truly a fun place to go and see creative costumes and outlandish ones as well-unfortunatley to many people have started to come to mock the gays and start drama for no reason, the ruined one of my most favorite holidays… AND I KNOW ITS THE STEREOTYPE THAT NOR CAL IS FULL OF GAYS AND THAT SAN FRAN IS FULL OF GAYS, BUT 33% IS DEFINITELY NO WHERE NEAR THE "FULL" STATUS. And thats 33% in San Fran, san Fran is a HUGE city.
LOVA says – reply to this

27

"I have to question the character of a man who attacks others on such deeply personal levels, without provocation and for self-benefit, monetary or otherwise." She continued, "If he's emotionally incapable of exhibiting even the tiniest bit of compassion for closeted people, if he can't be sensitive to the fact that coming out is a very personal decision and that the process can be difficult for some — especially celebrities — I feel sorry for him. If his juvenile behavior is his shtick, I think it makes him a much more pathetic figure, and one the gay and lesbian community should not support." She concluded, "If we support behavior like Hilton's, we applaud shallowness, arrogance, rage and invasion of privacy, and risk becoming what we despise
HAHA says – reply to this

28

Sweetie, everyday in the Castro is Halloween
Glad its gone. says – reply to this

29

I live blocks from the castro and am more than happy that they cancelled it weeks ago! It was out of control, mostly frat boys and oakland thugs went to harass college girls and old asian ladies went to take pictures. You cant walk, you get constantly harassed and the only people acting like humans were the actual gay men. FUCK HALLOWEEN ON THE CASTRO.
Another Nobody says – reply to this

30

Well YAY for the city being responsible and discontinuing something that was becoming VIOLENT. You cant stop ignorance from infiltrating your gay neighborhood! Keep your "brothers and sisters" safe.. thats what this is about. Not Boo we hate gays so stop their party! Come on! If more people were MURDERED like last year then you'd be crying that the city didn't send enough protection. Cant please everyone, so err on the side of caution and keep em safe. I'll be in WeHo in my fab costume celebrating with the folks who appreciate a real costume. Not just "who can wear the absolute least without getting raped or arrested" PS>> WOOHOO NIP TUCK!! YEAH!
Landy says – reply to this

31

Gays were the ones who gentrified the Castro and made it a better place to live. Prior to the 1970's, it was a rough part of town. I'd live there in a heartbeat (as long as I had a garage, the parking is terrible).
SF rocks! says – reply to this

32

Re: tim – Re: tim – idiot- the politicians in S.F are straight… San Franciscans dont elect gays… we are too progressive for that. We leave that to the more conservative places, like Idaho.
Katherine says – reply to this

33

I've been for the past 4 years. The first time was amazing and probably the best Halloween experience I could imagine, however, last year was terrifying. The streets were so crowded it took 20 minutes to go 1 block, most people weren't dressed up and I saw at least 3 fights.

I'm straight but love the gay community and last year saw so many people slurring the gays. It is a sad thing that they've canceled it, but it is needed. They should have thrown the party in the Pac Bell parking lot like they were originally going to to take the focus off of the gay neighborhood.
Keep it in your pants, please says – reply to this

34

Re: Jules –
Julestard, if you truly believe that 33% of the population of San Francisco is comprised of homosexual biological errors, you're obviously too fucking dumb to leave the house.

Please just stay home. Thank you!
sherry says – reply to this

35

The reason the party in the Castro was cancelled is that it got to big - the Castro is only a few blocks, and the population (gay and straight) in the streets, sidewalks, businesses - it just became TOO HUGE for the Castro.
Ed says – reply to this

36

Perez, you could NOT be more incorrect. There WAS a Halloween for the gays — it was the Saturday before Halloween, just like it is every year.
Another Nobody says – reply to this

37

HEY! Did Perez delete my comment? Talk about censorship! And I was just saying that ignorance is everywhere and the Castro on Halloween is just a place for it to congregate and lash out. Sad. VIVA WEST HOLLYWOOD!
Good says – reply to this

38

Yay!!!
Allison says – reply to this

39

Man, you gays are never happy. First you want to be accepted by the general population, and now that it appears you are being accepted, you're pissed off at it. "Gay communities" are going to be a thing of the past as more and more people understand that you aren't going away. You all are going to have to accept that the general population may not care who their neighbor is anymore and you can't "own" a community.

You can't have your cake and eat it too. If you want acceptance, then understand that you made your mark and the world is moving on. Find something else to distinguish yourself. Your sexuality, flamboyance and need for attention just doesn't matter anymore. And frankly, your desires to have your own community doesn't mesh with my desire for a new condo in an awesome location.

Quit your complaining. You got what you want and you still can't handle it. Get over it.
Adrienne says – reply to this

40

You can't cancel a free party
hanimal says – reply to this

41

i am sorry but that new york times reporter has ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE.
halloween at the castro IS NOT A GAY PARTY. give me a break.
what a lame and incorrect report. LAME!
sodomy says – reply to this

42

Yippee! They are just a bunch of fecal-matter-sharing freaks anyway.
Keep it in your pants, please says – reply to this

43

Re: Landy –
You need to get out more. Or at least learn to read.
Prior to the 70's, the Castro was a quiet, working class, mostly Irish, FAMILY neighborhood. Before that, it was mostly inhabited by quiet, working class, Scandanavian FAMILIES.
Why do biological errors insist on continously trying to rewrite HISTORY?
jack black says – reply to this

44

YAY that is wonderful. Eff the fags. They are slowly losing everything. Thats a wonderful thing
Paula says – reply to this

45

I live in SF, and the reason is too many people got shot last year, it has nothing to do with stifling the gays, good Lord
meatwad says – reply to this

46

I live in SF and this is totally being spun by the media.

1) The people who live in the Castro hate the halloween party. Many of them came forth to the City Council when this was being discussed. Like not being able to request a portapotty for your home's facade. Instead it would get pissed and vomitted on.

2)Halloween in SF is not a gay event. Perhaps it was spawned by the gays many years back, but most people who have gone can tell you its at least 60% straight. Most of those are out of towners too.

3)If you saw how many people show up blown out of the minds ready to either pass out and get trampled, or get violent, you would cancel it too. People get robbed, raped, knifed, and shot. Its stupid. Then when people start freaking out, someone gets trampled because you have 6 blocks of shoulder to shoulder people fucked up on drugs and booze.
smsanfran says – reply to this

47

I am with you FIRST CRAP - even if someone was first, who cares….and why to people keep doing it.
tiphany says – reply to this

48

Wow, as everyone mentioned the cancellation of this has NOTHING to do with genderfication. In fact, I have lived off 18th and Church for several years and have witnessed the shit that goes on. The crime is out of control. I hang out on my stoop and watch the people leave and they try to crash to our house even though we aren't having a party. Wannabe thugs and shit will throw crap at our fence since we told them they can't come hang. Its out of control… Oh well, it will be interesting to see what goes on. Since everyone will show up and there are still suppose to be a million cops…
ppc says – reply to this

49

perez, you are a fool. sf closed it because of out of towners - like you - and violence. low life scum
Landy says – reply to this

50

Re: Keep it in your pants, please –

Wow, I'll stop listening to people who ACTUALLY LIVED THERE and listen to you instead
smsanfran says – reply to this

51

Allison - who is saying that gays aren't accepting that the general population may not care who their neighbor is anymore and that gays aren't happy that they can’t “own” a community? It isn't that we are unhappy that straight people are moving in - but judging from your little tirade, I wouldn't want you moving in next door. Sounds like you have some issues.
SFlady says – reply to this

52

What this article doesn't make clear is that the Castro Halloween was lost to the gay community years ago. It has increasingly become the "party spot" for all kinds of outsiders, welcome and unwelcome from across the state. The last few years I attended, I was more afraid than I have ever been walking alone at night in any SF neighborhood - and it wasn't the gays that were striking fear into my heart. It hasn't been a community event for at least 5 years.
Carolina A says – reply to this

53

I live in SF too and while I'm all for the Castro neighboorhood I'm actually happy there in no parade this year. It was fun when the event was run by Gay people and attended. Now all we get are staright people in no Costumes gawking at other gay people. We get Gangs with underage kids taunting eachother and those around them. We get underage girls in slutty outfits passing out on our streets and underage drinking. Which I'm sure happens before they arrive at the party since they check your bags before you go in. It's the people that surround the streets of Market that make everything a nightmare too. Most gay people have parties above in their apartments since the neighboorhood is both resdential and commerical. It's also caused a huge problem with homes being trashed. These aren't just any homes. Most are Victorian Mansions that go over 1 million plus too.
pardon says – reply to this

54

I live in the Castro and I'm*glad* Halloween was canceled! The past couple yeear it hasn't been a campy good time. It's been Pride for Angry Straight People.

Nine people were shot last year, about 10 feet away from my kitchen window. The majority of people who attend Halloween in the Castro *aren't* from the neighborhood, or even the city. They're punks from out of town, hardly ever dressed in costume, using the night as an excuse to fuck shit up.

Besides, last Saturday was the real Halloween in the Castro. Shhh!
carolina says – reply to this

55

Then the families in Noe Valley also get taunted and harrased too by these kids that come from San Jose, Oakland, Richmond, Alemeda, Hunter Point, etc. What the city needs to do is just close it's doors like their doing with the Mission Bart system and not allow these types of people in our city so that we can enjoy our festivals because after all San Francisco is about tolernace and community. Everyone for the most part is open minded with the Occasional Asshole. We dont need an army of Assholes. The Halloween parade should take a cue from Folsom Street Fair. We should make it as perveted and safe. You dont see any gangs coming near Folsom Street Fair.
SHEILA-FROM THE SF! says – reply to this

56

YOU'RE AN IDIOT PEREZ, STOP TRYING TO MAKE THIS OUT TO BE MORE THAN IT IS. THEY'RE NOT CANCELING THIS BECAUSE OF "THE GAYS". THEY'RE CANCELING IT BECAUSE OF THE VIOLENCE THAT OCCURS. WHY DON'T YOU DO SOME RESEARCH ON YOUR STORIES. OH WAIT-CUZ YOU'RE NOT A JOURNALIST! IF YOU DID YOU WOULD SEE THE VIOLENCE THAT OCCURS THERE EVERY YEAR. ALOT OF THE PEOPLE THAT ATTEND AREN'T EVEN GAY, IT JUST GETS TO BE TOO MUCH TO HANDLE.
bucket says – reply to this

57

Halloween at the Castro used to be quite a party, but it hasn't been for some time now. Everyone and their mother comes, gets wasted, and gets violent. And Perez, the Castro is alive and well, don't even try to say differently. People's values have changed, and a part of that change has to do with the fact that SF and the Castro is a long and happily established LGBT community. Don't hate… the Castro is about love.
lolinda says – reply to this

58

Such a shame. You can't even be FABULOUS these days. We know straights have no imagination, nor sense of humor. They need to invade our spaces to see what they're missing. End of an era. Shame Shame!!
Sasarai says – reply to this

59

That really is a shame- It's tragic to see people hiding because of violence. In Ottawa we did a "Take back the Night" women who protested and walked the streets at night, because they were tired of being afraid, of staying inside at night. Although safety is first, but it's Halloween! If the Queens want to party, then girls go get you freak on!
bucket says – reply to this

60

Re: carolina – thank you for mentioning the folsom st fair, now that is what Halloween in the Castro used to be….Re: carolina –
Lysette says – reply to this

61

Without reading the article yet, I say the real reason for the wise cancellation of this annual event is because of the shoot-out on Market Street last year and numerous stabbings.

Gentrification my ass. It's all the violence. Losers converge on San Francisco from all bridges and tunnels and ruin Halloween for everyone.

I'm glad it is canceled this year.
San Francisco Native says – reply to this

62

The gay boys and girls stay as far away from this party as possible. It is all the cholos and gang bangers who come there and stir up problems. Man they all need to go back to hunters point and the mission and let the love rule in the castro!!!
Keep it in your pants, please says – reply to this

63

Re: Landy –
I lived there for 20 years, snookums.
I am a third generation native San Franciscan, snookums.
I still have many, many friends and family members that live there, snookums.
Anything else?
amy says – reply to this

64

Re: HAHA – LOL.. awesome.
Avery says – reply to this

65

Gays don't deserve there own shiz! Thats ridiculous!
castro dweller says – reply to this

66

THIS ARTICLE IS TERRIBLE PEREZ. This bitch has no idea what she is talking about at all. The castro is alive, well, GAY, and beautiful. For anyone who lives there it is so obvious that she probably spent about 2 hrs there and then pulled all these random thoughts together. Terrible terrible.
justjak says – reply to this

67

What a FUCKING Shame. I blame it all on that FILTHY BASTARD in the White House and his republican-NAZI party.
sfvalues says – reply to this

68

The sad truth is that the party has been cancelled because of all the suburbanites who come to the city to stand around and stare at drag queens. Only one out of every 20 or so people actually bothers to wear a costume. So these uptight idiots come to watch the queens and point. They are followed, later in the evening, by drunken idiots who just want to keep drinking, which then turns into violence. This is not a slight on gays. This is an attempt to return the Castro Halloween experience into the festive, uninhibited frolic that it once was and still should be.
miss kitty says – reply to this

69

perez i live in the city and no gay people even fucking go to the castro party! its all the fucking assholes from the goddamn ghetto and an assload of middle schoolers that go and fucking ruin shit for everyone else. last year people got shot just like the year before. they shut it down because it brings crime to a neighborhood that normally doesnt have any, and there are way too many people that are can get hurt. they are making sure it wont happen, they are even shutting down the closest BART station, but some people are saying that they will go anyways. my ass is staying home!!
whatever says – reply to this

70

i lived there for 12 years. it's not the gays vs. the gentry. gay men are the gentry in sf - as is obvious when you think about it. gay households in sf are usually made up of 2 educated, white men with white collar jobs and no kids. they just don't want the teens of immigrants to come watch them parade in drag for holloween.
derrick says – reply to this

71

old news perez…
Amanda says – reply to this

72

9 people were shot last year at the party in the Castro. That is why it's been cancelled. It's unsafe and people that live in San Francisco don't go to it — they stay in and lock their doors. It's unsafe.
jessica says – reply to this

73

there is a website (homeforhalloween.com) that shows all of the events in the bay area this halloween to make up for the lack of an official halloween event in the castro district. the city also said on the news this morning that they are hoping to have an official event next year, but the fact is that there were 9 shootings last year. couple that with the fact that a lot of the partiers will be drunk and vulnerable to crime, i think its great that the event has been cancelled this year. it has nothing to do with it being a gay district of the city, most of the bars there also agreed to close at 9 tomorrow. nobody wants to invite violence into their community, especially the residents of the castro.
justjak says – reply to this

74

Re: castro dweller – No Shit girlfriend. THE CASTRO stil ROCKS and it's still GAY GAY GAY. I was there for PRIDE and it was DEVINE !!!!!! WEST HOLLYWOOD and HILLCREST in San Diego are still GAY GAY GAY too. I thought the article was pure bullshit written to convince gay readers that their neighborhoods are no longer relavent, and help filthy real estate developers take over our neighborhoods. NEVER GONNA HAPPEN !!!!! As for the Halloween Party in the Castro, you can't really blame the city. All those shootings last year made them nerveous and I can understand that. Like the ADVOCATE said, straights are stealing out holiday, and it was straight ASSHOLES who ruined the Castro Party, but I predict it will be back again stronger than ever next year. Like the protest athem states, "WE'RE HERE, WE'RE QUEER, GET OVER IT !!!!!!!!
Jenn says – reply to this

75

My mom phoned me last year in a panic, demanding to know where I spent my Halloween. "Oh, the shootings? Yeah, I didn't go out," I told her. I was under the impression someone got killed last year. No?
kimmie says – reply to this

76

yeah honestly this was about the 7 shootings last year. i think enough was enough and they just had to cancel it.
Starfire says – reply to this

77

That's ridiculous! People should not feel afraid to express who they are. I'm Canadian I would hate to see any of my gay friends denied thier rights because of some small minded degenerates. That's totally unfair! You'd think that with all the exposure that we have to different things that we'd be more tolerant. People need to broaden their horizens. There's more to life than raping sheep and marrying your cousin.
Luna says – reply to this

78

It seems like a sad day for the gays. But the gays were practically hiding the last few years! It was OUT OF CONTROL! Last year, in the unbareable crowd - all of a sudden someone jumped on me and everyone was on thr ground. I realized there were gunshots going off!!
SF NOE VALLEY says – reply to this

79

I LIVE AT 22ND AND CASTRO
WE ARE SO GLAD THEIR IS NO PARTY THIS YEAR
PEOPLE PISS ALL OVER YOUR STAIRS, TRASH EVERYWHERE, A TOTAL MESS
BACK IN THE DAY WHEN PEOPLE FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD WENT IT WAS GREAT
TOO MANY GANG MEMBERS AND OUT OF TOWNERS WITH NO RESPECT!!!
marin says – reply to this

80

it's not cause of the neighborhood it's cause so many people got shot last year. its literally bodies packed together for blocks and blocks, everyone drunk or fucked up and completely vulnerable to being randomly injured or killed. a person could just open fire, aim wherever they wanted and take a ton of people down. which is what happened last year. it's like shooting fish in a bucket.

but it does suck that they're not doing it this year because it's the best freak show around.
Keep it in your pants, please says – reply to this

81

Re: Starfire –
"That’s ridiculous! People should not feel afraid to express who they are."
So, you're cool with the gangbangers and other trash 'expressing themselves' by shooting into a large crowd and beating the crap out of biological errors for no good reason?
They're just expressing themselves, right? And you're cool with that, right?
Just checking!
You moron. You'll never understand reality. Please sell your computer to the nearest person with an IQ over 75, STAT!
Daddy Dearest says – reply to this

82

Keep it in your pants, please- Why the fuck don't you go back to Fred Phelps web site where you belong? You're a fucking asshole who, like "paca", keeps posting the same old "biological mistake" shtick. Not an original thought in your unimaginative pea brain. You're just ANOTHER loser who can't accept anyone different so you have to come to someplace to bash people as an anonymous COWARD! Too bad YOUR parents did such a shitty job of raising such an intolerant, bigoted jerk. You'll probably be one of "those" queers who comes out at middle age. It's ALWAYS you extreme haters who are trying to show the world their phony righteousness who are the most insecure & hiding their TRUE being. Go give Larry Craig a call, I'm sure he'll have some valuable lessons to impart. Tap once for yes, twice for no.!

PS-Though "Gay Perez" does thank you for coming & making another gay man more money. Hypocrite much?
Uproar says – reply to this

83

#29 MUST be from San Jose — NOBODY in the city calls it "FRISCO"…
Kier says – reply to this

84

This is very old news. The cancelled it due to shootings/violence. Lots of people are still going which is dumb b/c nothing much will be happening, shops are closing early, and there will be police everywhere. I've heard (not sure) that the place to be is the Civic Center. No word as if that's a definite. Castro was my plan, I'll prolly just go to a rave
KC_Castro says – reply to this

85

I live in the Castro and am a straight female. I loved e Castro Halloween party when it was a fun-loving environment were everyone was accepted. Now it is not and I am tired of having drunk assholes peeing on my stairs, tagging my house, etc. I feel like I have to stay home and protect what is mine and that sucks. Unfortunately, a few bad seeds ruined what was once great.

People should read up on the history of the Castro. The Halloween party started as a children's parade given by Cliff's Variety. Amazing as to how it evolved. Now the party happens on "Pink Saturday" on the Saturday before Halloween and maybe the cycle will start all over again from that.

If you look at the comment that people posted on the NYT article, you will see that many gay men and women (including all of my friends) feel that there is no longer the need for a gay ghetto. Especially in a places such as SF. They can live anywhere in this city and be loved just as I can live in the Castro and be accepted. That is what makes SF a great place.

I do understand that with progress comes the lack of a "community" and that needs to be addressed, but progress also means that now people can move to other towns, cities, etc and feel accepted. Yes, there still is a long way to go….but look how far we have come in such a short time. I am hopeful for the future.
Landy says – reply to this

86

Re: Keep it in your pants, please –

Sure, quit being so condescending, snookums
Danielle S.F. says – reply to this

87

9 people were shot last year in the heart of the Castro. The incident was gang related. Had nothing to do with gays. Most of the residents of the Castro (most are gay) are happy about the canceled party. 90% of the people who show up don't even live here. S.F. residents don't attend this event. Even business in the neaghborhood have totally agreed to close. The problems have gotten worse everyyear for the last ten years. Gay bashing and gang violence plague this annual party. Happy Halloween S.F. rocks
paca says – reply to this

88

this is a victory for decency. homosexuals should not be allowed to carry on an obcene display of their perversion on a public street. hoosexuality is a sickness and a crime against nature. just because someone does a certain behavior doesnt make it "natural " or "ok". some people are serial killers, bank robbers, molesters, rapists, murderers etc…. does that make their behavior ok? homosexuality is a sickness caused by abuse, just like cancer is caused by smoking, and nobody would say cancer is a good thing. i hope more communities start taking a harder line against homosexuals/molesters. the last thing society needs is for perverts like that to be accepted as mainstream
paca says – reply to this

89

this is a victory for decency. homosexuals should not be allowed to carry on an obcene display of their perversion on a public street. hoosexuality is a sickness and a crime against nature. just because someone does a certain behavior doesnt make it "natural " or "ok". some people are serial killers, bank robbers, molesters, rapistss, murderers etc…. does that make their behavior ok? homosexuality is a sickness caused by abuse, just like cancer is caused by smoking, and nobody would say cancer is a good thing. i hope more communities start taking a harder line against homosexuals/molesters. the last thing society needs is for perverts like that to be accepted as mainstream
paca says – reply to this

90

this is a victory for decency. homosexuals should not be allowed to carry on an obcene display of their perversion on a public street. hoosexuality is a sickness and a crime against nature. just because someone does a certain behavior doesnt make it "natural " or "ok". some people are serial killers, bank robbers, molesters, rapistss, murdererss etc…. does that make their behavior ok? homosexuality is a sickness caused by abuse, just like cancer is caused by smoking, and nobody would say cancer is a good thing. i hope more communities start taking a harder line against homosexuals/molesters. the last thing society needs is for perverts like that to be accepted as mainstream
Jessica in SF says – reply to this

91

Halloween in the Castro hasn't been a gay event for at least the last ten years, and it's NOT due to gentrification but rather to violence expressed by folks coming from outside the neighborhood. I live here and no gay worth their salt would waste their time with this festival of bridge and tunnel yahoos.
Mikey says – reply to this

92

Perez you need to understand why it was cancelled. It has nothing to do with something against gays.

It was cancelled because over 10 people were shot there last year.

Get your stories straight!!!
eliza says – reply to this

93

It has nothing to do with the neighborhood being a gay area or that Halloween is a big night for gay people. Most of the people who go to the Castro for Halloween are not gay. There has been a lot of crime and really serious gang problems for the last few years. Last year in particular nine people were shot, including a pregnant woman who was shot in the head. That is why there is no party this year. You miss the real reason to be angry, and that is the fact that idiotic people ruin a good time for everyone because they can't control their violent tendencies.
anil says – reply to this

94

i am from india and when i visitied sf last year i saw a homosexual parade and it was absolutely disgusting. there were adult men nearly naked rubbing their cocks agaisnt each other in full view of children. if there was any decency in sf those people would have been arrested for public indecency and exposure. homosexuals are disgusting in my oopinion. if your society was half way decent they would have a fag bashing contest instead of a party to drive these sick elements of society out of public view. really no other country would tolerate the public cisplay of this crap
amanda says – reply to this

95

pshhh yeah there will be. ppl are still going…. whether there's music or not
leslie says – reply to this

96

Apparently you're not from around here Perez cuz it's actually not REALLY canceled. You're still gonna have 200,000 people showing up. There will however be more security and people will be carded but the street will STILL be blocked off. No worries
don't come here says – reply to this

97

im from sf and it attracts all the wrong people, dumb ass gay haters from afar come to fuck shit up and ruin it for everyone else, its a good thing that they are trying to stop it, if your not from here dont run your mouth b/c you dont even know. I think its annoying b/c you get these people from their dumb little redneck towns who want to come and point and stare at "freaks" as if it was a zoo, go home we dont want you here!
Skye says – reply to this

98

THE PARTY WILL CONTIUNE DESPITE THEIR EFFORTS!
SF UNITE!
paca says – reply to this

99

this is a victory for decency. homosexuals should not be allowed to carry on an obcene display of their perversion on a public street. hoosexuality is a sickness and a crime against nature. just because someone does a certain behavior doesnt make it “natural ” or “ok”. some people are serial killers, bank robbers, molesters, rapistss, murdererss etc…. does that make their behavior ok? homosexuality is a sickness caused by abuse, just like cancer is caused by smoking, and nobody would say cancer is a good thing. i hope more communities start taking a harder line against homosexuals/molesters. the last thing society needs is for perverts like that to be accepted as mainstream ok
casey says – reply to this

100

Thanks GOD! I live in the Castro ( have all my life) and the whole thing has gotten out of control.