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| Retirement
Community For Gays Under Development In Florida
by Craig Wilson SARASOTA, FLA. - The Gay '90s are taking on a whole new meaning. Bill Laing, a 65-year-old retired psychology professor from Long Island, N.Y., is planning to open the country's first gay retirement community here. It's called the Palms of Manasota, will be located on 15 acres of orange groves in the Sarasota area and when the first phase is complete, will be home to 50 or so gays and lesbians over 50. Laing thinks his timing is perfect, as more and more openly gay people head toward retirement and want a supportive community in which to retire. "There's no question about it. It's going to happen," says Laing, the mastermind who has sold his house and boat and put much of his retirement money into the project. This fall he and business partners are buying land and working their way through the zoning and building permit bureaucracies. His timetable calls for the complex's first model to be completed next summer. In all, it will be a $10 million to $12 million project. Two-bedroom homes, suitable for one or two people, are being offered for just under $100,000. Laing says he's had the idea for more than two decades, looking first at property in the Miami area and then South Padre Island, Texas. He says he was drawn to the Sarasota area because of its tolerance, although he is keeping the project's site a secret until all zoning has been approved and the land purchased. Word has already slipped out about the complex, according to Laing, and residents of one local development have expressed concern over having an "alternative" retirement community in the area. But Laing believes his project will be nothing but an asset to the community. "Why should we be in a gay ghetto?" asks Laing. "No way. Why shouldn't we be in a mainstream community where it's beautiful?" More than 100 people - equal numbers of gays and lesbians - have responded to ads Laing placed in gay publications this year. Construction will begin when he gets firm commitments from the first 20 people who put down $2,000. There will be 28 units in the first phase, which will also include a pool, spa and recreation hall. "I want this to be a service-oriented community, full of interesting people," says Laing. "I want this to be a supportive community, a caring community." Helping Laing toward that goal is Sarasota architect William Halstead. "What we're trying to bring back is the feeling of a village," says Halstead. "Sit on your porch, tip your hat and say 'Hi, Neighbor.'" All units at Palms of Manasota will face toward the street and a lake, which will be the community's center piece. All garages will be in the rear. "I want to be able to wave to my neighbors," says Laing, "to get together with them in the community center." Laing says there will be monthly entertainment - barbecues, sing-alongs. "Anything the residents want." "If you go to gay bar, you just get people cruising. They aren't enjoying themselves," says Laing. "This will be a healthy, supportive environment." Laing says that applications from straight retirees will be considered, too. "As far as I'm concerned, I'll take in anyone as long as they know what type of community it is," says Laing. "My best friend's mom wants to come in and we'll accept her. We won't be as prejudicial against heterosexuals as they are against us." |