Proofreaders lllunted Do you have a sharp eye for detail? Are you looking for a place to use your talents? Join us for the final proofreading session before ' OITM goes to the press. Volunteers please contact editor@mountainpridemedia. org or call 861.6486. Woman-Stirred Radio _t_l_1g Premier GLBTQ Radio Show Hosted by Merry Gangemi Interviews with GLBTQ writers, poets, "‘ musicians and artists from Vermont... and the rest of the world. WGDR 91 .1 FM Goddard College Stream it live at www.wgdr.org ECONOMICS //////////////////////////// ##flWW#flWfl%flflflWfl The Creative Class By Robert William Wolff hen was the last time you read or heard someone say that LG- BTQ folk are among the factors key to the success of a region or urban area? Richard Florida, one of the most influential people One anticipated outcome of the new creative economy is that While an economy based on manufacturing and services was essential for early and mid-20th century communities in the USA that wanted to attract residents, Florida goes on to highlight the high-tech industry in the area, as well as its youthful orientation. Thus, for the size of Burlington, with the state’s civil union law in place and or- ganizations such as Safespace, In Florida's book Cities and the Creative Class, Burlington, - Vermont is recognized as an urban area that demonstrates in day-to-day life how a creative economy functions. in the field of public policy, has written three books that stress the importance of diversity, including a wealth of LGBT peo- ple, in developing the economies of geographic areas in the 21st century. Florida is an economist who recently left his post as professor in regional economic development at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, to be: come a professor in public poli- cy at George Mason University in Virginia. His books are The Rise of the Creative Class and how it’s transforming work, leisure & everyday life; Cities and the Creative Class; and The Flight of the Creative Class. Florida introduces the “cre- ative economy” as the 21st cen- tury’s definition of a successful economy, shifting from econo- mies based on manufacturing and services. He states that at the core of a creative economy is the diversity LGBTQ people and other minorities provide to a community. To support his work, Florida uses “The Gay Index," * which includes maps of each state, high density areas within some states and large populations of same-sex couples based on the 2000 census. In discussing the creative economy, Florida postulates that the “three T5” of technology, tal- ent and tolerance underpin the definition of successful econo- mies of cities in the 21st century. Measuring factors against vari- ous indexes recognized in aca- demia, Florida and his associates found that only in urban areas where the three T5 were present did a creative economy exist. By “creative economy,” Florida means an economy design that includes: engineering, science, technology, computer technol- ogy, software, writing and per- forming of music, choreography of dance, theatre artists, restau- rateurs, craftspeople, painters, printrnakers and sculptors. the 21st century institutions that require creative people will need to move to locations where creative people wish to live and Work. Then, these institutions will have to cre- ate work situations that fit the needs and desires of the creative people they wish to attract. Although Florida tells his story partly though numbers and graphs, he also provides a more human aspect with his interviews of people who V 802.775.0871 . . _ 802.5243] 500. choose to move from one community to another. In his book “Cities and the Creative Class,” Florida rec- ognizes Burlington, Vermont _ as an urban area that demon- strates in day-to-day life how a creative economy functions; while giving a nod to the LGBTQ community's contributions to Burlington’s economic success. Florida states that ‘‘Burl- ' ington has sought to combine economic development, envi- ronmental health, and outdoor amenities into a powerful pack- age for generating sustainable economic advantage. The city has combined entrepreneur- ship, commitment to diversity, progressive and participatory civic culture; and commit- ment to the environmental and natural amenities to spur economic development.” reativé EsenomrPublicDissiiekéessl Rutland School»: March. 30 ,4 Florimore A _ L _. ' information ‘e-maii'RutiandCreative@yalioo,ooni,orcall ' Tara at the Rutland-Regional Planning Commissioner St. -Aibans: Franklin County Senior‘Center, April 11 at, I 4 pm. Contact Karen at St. Albans For the Future at . Windsor: American Legion Hall, April 24 at 4 pm. Contact Ann Lawle’ ‘at the American Precision Museum, alawless@amerir"1precision.org or at 802.674.5781 . Outright Vermont, RUIZ‘? Queer Community Center, Mountain _, Pride Media and PFLAG of Champlain Valley, the city be- comes an attractive place for those who seek a good place to live in a small city. And, clearly, the welcome mat is out for LGBTQ people who consider moving to the area. For many LGBTQ folks, Flor- ‘ ida’s books can be a prideful, inspiring and refreshing look at * - -- one of the many ways our com- munity supports and enriches the general welfare of 21st century society. And, in a time when the dominant US politi- cal party is moving back to the “burn ‘em” attitude of Europe in the 1700’s, F1orida’s research and findings that queer people are key to the economies of communities is encouraging. V To learn more about Rich- ard Floridas works, see www. creativeclass. org. * The Gay Index, by Gary, J. Gates and Jason Ost, Urban Institute Press. Robert William Wolff is a scenery and lighting designer and potter who lives in Ran- dolph, Vt. He is a member of the R.U.1.2? board of direc- tors and a volunteer at OITM.