Back Bay Emerging as in Place to Be "Out"

Trees blossom at the corner of Commonwealth and Arlington streets.

They say you shouldn't knock it if you haven't tried it. At Geoffrey's, the Back Bay's newest, and only, "gay restaurant," patrons say all you really have to try is being open-minded.

Geoffrey's Café-Bar moved from the South End to 160 Commonwealth Ave. in the Back Bay last November, bringing with it a large percentage of its gay clientele. But since then it has also attracted many heterosexual newcomers to its new location. This welcome reception can perhaps be attributed to the fact that at least when it comes to sexual orientation, the Back Bay is becoming a more diverse place to live.

According to 2000 Census data, the Back Bay currently has the third largest population of gays, by total numbers, in Massachusetts, following Jamaica Plain and the South End. It is also home to several gay interest groups, businesses and meeting places. From spiritual circles to musical organizations to community groups, the Back Bay is fast becoming the in place to be "out."

"Being gay in the Back Bay is completely natural," said Steven Sayers, co-chair of Gay and Lesbian Friends & Neighbors of the Back Bay.

GLFN was formed a little over a year ago and currently has 50 members, ranging in age from 28 to 70 years old. The group meets the first Monday of every other month for social gatherings and lectures at various members' apartments.

Sayers, 47, who moved with his partner to the Back Bay in 1981, believes that the community of gays in the Back Bay is older than that found in the South End and Jamaica Plain because of the high cost of living there. That's one possible reason, he said, why the gay community is sometimes less visible in the Back Bay than in other areas of the city.

"We have become a bunch of old farts," said Sayers. "We are more likely to have dinner parties at home than go out."

Aandre Davis, 37, operations director of Boston Pride, also feels economics are driving the gay population to move into areas such as the Back Bay. He sees the expansion as positive.

"Gays and lesbians moving to all parts of the city helps create more diverse neighborhoods," said Davis, who is openly gay. "I see it as a great thing because then, as a gay community, we don't get pigeonholed into 'that's their area.' This way, people move where they want and you never know who you are talking to."

Or sitting next to.

Sunken below street level, at Commonwealth and Dartmouth streets, Geoffrey's Café-Bar provides a welcoming atmosphere for locals or those willing to make the trip.

"In the '90s, 90 percent of our clientele was gay because we were in the South End and there was nowhere else to go on a date and feel OK," said Michael Alpin, manager and co-owner of Geoffrey's Café-Bar. "Now it's different. I see gay couples eating at Joe's down the block."

Alpin, who is gay himself, started his restaurant 13 years ago. The owners moved from the South End to Commonwealth Avenue when, after 10 years, their lease ran out last fall. So far, Alpin said the neighborhood has been mostly receptive.

"It seems like there are a lot of fun, cool people that moved into the Back Bay recently. There are definitely more gays and more minorities," said Alpin. "And the South End isn't really gay anymore. There are a lot of young straight couples moving there now. I think it's a good thing."

Other business owners share Alpin's attitude. Loury Gutierrez, executive director of Coro Allegro, Boston's chorus for members and friends of the gay and transgender communities, feels that integration taking place throughout the city is key to creating harmony.

"Part of our goal is to help communicate and promote understanding," said Gutierrez. "The more we are involved with those disparate communities, the more likely that is to happen."
Coro Allegro practices regularly at the Church of the Covenant, Berkeley and Newbury streets, a church which Gutierrez noted also has "a lesbian spiritual leader."

The Church of the Covenant on Newbury and Berkeley streets is popular for being gay-friendly.

"They are very gay-friendly, as are the Trinity Church and Arlington Church. Both are also in the Back Bay," said Gutierrez. "We practice at the Covenant because we have a long-standing relationship with them."

There are some residents who have been resistant to shifts in the community. Brian Spencer, 22 and bisexual, has worked at Geoffrey's Café-Bar for the past four years and said the move to the Back Bay has not been completely smooth.

"Some people have made it very clear that they want us out of here," Spencer said. "We have had ridiculous trash complaints, calls made to health inspectors, you name it. One woman called an inspector and said that she found glass in her food, that a cockroach dropped down on her head and that as she was leaving a rat scurried in front of the door. I mean come on. I think it's just older, suppressed people who don't get it."

Spencer said that on occasion, some negative locals have even stopped in and provoked confrontations.

"Some stuffy, old-fashioned people who see the sticker on the door, walk in, order drinks and ask 'Is this a gay bar?' almost like they want to start something," said Spencer. "And I'm just like, if you saw the sticker on the door why come inside and put money in our pockets by buying drinks?"

Despite such upsets, however, Geoffrey's management is undeterred. Nay Sayers only make the restaurants' successes taste sweeter, they said. And as long as the crowds continue pouring in for brunch, they see no reason to move. In fact, staff-members said owner Michael Alpin took out a 20-year lease on the property space.

"I'm planning on being here for a while," he said.

JOANNA PRISCO