And just when I thought it was safe...

[catherineldf]

to wander out of my office - publisher and author Terri Pray and her husband were just denied the opportunity to buy a home in Greene, Iowa. Apparently, the problem was not with any of their gaming titles, their sf/f or romance but the fact that they had a single m/m title. This was enough to make them some form of "gay pornographers" and they were clobbered with newly discovered zoning regs that don't appear to apply to other folks - http://brennalyonsden.blogspot.com/2008/11/town-needs-to-get-clue.html.
I particularly like the part where Terri breaks down the financial losses to Greene by having them not move there. Last time I checked in, the whole tanked economy and rural meth production problems were a big enough deal in the rural Midwest, including Iowa, that you'd think "gay pornographers" would be moderately welcome in contrast. :-(


In other news, still trying to save Pi (see my last post). Donations go to:
Pi Bar
2532 25th Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55406

And in my life, looks like the current contract is going longer than projected. V. pleased and relieved at not having to job hunt for a few more months. In a word, whew!

Comments

[gardnercastle.livejournal.com]

Wow. That is ridiculous. The only thing I can say is, in a situation like that, I'd be glad to find out before I moved in--if they're hateful enough to bar one from owning a house, I certainly wouldn't want them for neighbors! But honestly, I don't understand how this is even (still) legal. Maybe one day soon, it won't be...one can dream.

[catherineldf.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think that's their take on it, arguably the one that makes the most sense. Unfortunately things like zoning regulations are often ambiguous enough to use in all sorts of ways. My hope is that another town gets them and recognizes that they're an economic boon.

[queenofillusion.livejournal.com]

That's awful! I'm originally from Iowa, so on behalf of the whole state I apologize to you and your friends.

Where is Greene anyway? Remind me not to go there...

Veronica

[catherineldf.livejournal.com]

It's a bit west and north of Cedar Fall/Waterloo (I had to look it up) so not that far from either UNI or Decorah so you'd think they'd be closer to this century. I lived in Iowa City for 9 years, did grad school there, ran a bookstore, et al and while there are many lovely things about Iowa, we got more onstreet harassment there than here. Bleah. :-(