Edinburgh’s Broughton Street has been named an official ‘Gayborhood’ alongside areas in New York, San Francisco and Ibiza

Edinburgh’s Broughton Street has been named an official ‘Gayborhood’ by The Gayborhood Foundation, an organisation that recognises leading gay areas around the world.
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With thousands of members of the public across the globe sending in their suggestions, the esteemed panel of judges named Broughton Street among its 33 officially recognised ‘Gayborhoods’ alongside other destinations such as Lisbon’s Bairro Alto, New York’s Chelsea, The Marais in Paris, Calle de la Virgin in Ibiza, Johannesburg’s Melville and The Castro in San Francisco.

Launched earlier this year, hundreds of areas from a range of countries were suggested as Gayborhoods by members of the public, with the 300-strong panel of trustees - made up of prominent LGBTQI+ advocates, lawyers and members of the media from every continent - reviewing a range of factors and whittling down the areas to an exclusive list of officially recognised Gayborhoods.

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Factors the panel of judges take into consideration include a higher-than-average population of LGBTQI+ people living in the area, a local dedication to LGBTQI+ rights and issues among residents, proud and visible support for the community, a lower risk than the national

Broughton Street has been named an official ‘Gayborhood’Broughton Street has been named an official ‘Gayborhood’
Broughton Street has been named an official ‘Gayborhood’

Average of homophobic crime and the vibrancy of the local LGBTQI+ cultural programme. Those submitting a suggestion are asked to provide a written statement to outline their reasoning.

On Broughton Street’s inclusion, a spokesperson for the Gayborhood Foundation said: “We were inundated with submissions by thousands of people around the world for our inaugural list of Gayborhoods. Broughton Street in Edinburgh stood loud and proud alongside our other Gayborhoods for its incredibly vibrant LGBTQI+ community, and we’re delighted to officially recognise it within our 2021 contingent.

“LGBTQI+ individuals make up approximately 13.8 per cent of the worldwide population and we’re proud to be at the forefront of recognising the areas of the world where our community is most thriving.”

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A study commissioned earlier this year by the Gayborhood Foundation revealed that officially recognised gay areas have seen a range of benefits brought to the local community, not least an 11 per cent increase in average house prices within three years and as much as a 55 per cent increase within ten years.

Factors taken into consideration include a higher-than-average population of LGBTQI+ people living in the area, a local dedication to LGBTQI+ rights and issues among residents, proud and visible support for the community, a lower risk than the national average of homophobic crime and the vibrancy of the local LGBTQI+ cultural programme.Factors taken into consideration include a higher-than-average population of LGBTQI+ people living in the area, a local dedication to LGBTQI+ rights and issues among residents, proud and visible support for the community, a lower risk than the national average of homophobic crime and the vibrancy of the local LGBTQI+ cultural programme.
Factors taken into consideration include a higher-than-average population of LGBTQI+ people living in the area, a local dedication to LGBTQI+ rights and issues among residents, proud and visible support for the community, a lower risk than the national average of homophobic crime and the vibrancy of the local LGBTQI+ cultural programme.

Maurice Allan, residential property managing director at Lindsays, said: "Broughton Street and its immediate surrounds have long been popular with property purchasers due to the close proximity to Princes Street as well as the excellent amenities available including vibrant bars, cafes and delicatessens. Recognition as an official Gayborhood alongside such internationally-renowned areas, and the soon-to-be completed development of the St James Quarter is likely to increase the appeal of this sought-after area."

Entries for the 2022 Gayborhoods will open later this year, and anyone wishing to submit a suggestion can do so by visiting www.gayborhoodfoundation.com.

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