Gay bars have been replaced with mainstream restaurants, rent prices have skyrocketed, and many of the longtime residents have been displaced.Īdding on to these changes is the neighborhood’s new name and branding - Northalsted.Ĭonversations around changing the neighborhood’s nickname began online over the summer when organizer Devlyn Camp started a petition to retire the name Boystown. However, in recent years, Boystown has shifted significantly. In Chicago, Boystown has been that refuge for many generations of queer Chicagoans. Predominately LGBT+ neighborhoods exist across the world as safe havens for queer residents. A Name Change for Boystown, Chicago's Proudest Neighborhoodīy Kristina De Asis and Sophia Lackens | Posted: Tuesday, Dec.