Rainbow City

Finally, the mayor took the microphone and declared:

“Our city’s plan is by no means intended solely for the benefit of the LGBTQ community. We envision a city where people with vastly different values regarding sexual orientation can coexist peacefully on the same land — respecting one another’s perspectives while living happy, enjoyable lives together. I ask that you please understand this is our true intent.”

At this point, the LGBTQ organization finally announced its full support for the city’s plan.

Media outlets, too, reported favorably — to varying degrees — on the outcome of the gathering.

From that day forward, a shift occurred among the citizens who had previously staunchly opposed the mayor’s plan: self-employed business owners switched en masse to supporting it.

This was because the sudden influx of media reporters and LGBTQ organizations from across the region caused sales in the local shopping district to spike by 80% for that day alone.

It also became apparent that LGBTQ individuals tended to spend more than the average person on shopping and dining out. A rumor spread throughout the city that, contrary to expectations, a significant number of LGBTQ people were highly educated and earned high incomes.

Over the course of the following year, the city government redeveloped the entire area; aside from public spaces like commercial facilities and parks, the city was organized into dedicated residential zones for lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender people, and queer individuals.

When the city called for applications from prospective residents, the number of applicants vastly exceeded the available capacity; the mayor, describing it as a heart-wrenching decision, proceeded to hold a lottery to select them.

However, heterosexual citizens continued to voice their opposition, and the city office received numerous letters and emails of protest; yet, occupied with the demands of implementing the plan, the mayor deliberately chose not to read them.