The article that I am going to reference is not a new release but given the political picture in Virginia's current election contest for governor, the findings are relevant. Throughout his false campaign as a moderate, Taliban Bob McDonnell has maintained that he wants to be a "jobs governor." However, as this article reveals, Taliban Bobs religious extremism and intolerance towards gays and other minority groups will retard Virginia's ability to attract high technology and other high paying employers? Why, because they will not want to move to Virginia with its Pat Robertson disciple as governor should Taliban Bob be elected. Religious intolerance and bigotry against those of different cultural backgrounds - hallmarks of the current Republican Party of Virginia - are not positive marketing points. Something that the cretins among the teabaggers and Bible beaters cannot quite grasp. Here are some highlights from a report issued by the Center on Urban & Metropolitan Policy:*
Technology and Tolerance: The Importance of Diversity High-Technology Growth
Technology and Tolerance: The Importance of Diversity High-Technology Growth
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The leading indicator of a metropolitan area’s high-technology success is a large gay population. The five metropolitan areas with the highest concentration of gay residents are all among the nation’s top 15 high-technology areas: San Francisco, Washington D.C., Austin, Atlanta, and San Diego. Gays not only predict the concentration of high-tech industry, they are also a predictor of its growth.
The leading indicator of a metropolitan area’s high-technology success is a large gay population. The five metropolitan areas with the highest concentration of gay residents are all among the nation’s top 15 high-technology areas: San Francisco, Washington D.C., Austin, Atlanta, and San Diego. Gays not only predict the concentration of high-tech industry, they are also a predictor of its growth.
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Now, however, people are the center of the action. High human capital individuals—or as we like to call them, talent—are the key to success in this new era of economic growth. Their ideas and creativity are the most important ingredients in the economic success of a firm or region.
Now, however, people are the center of the action. High human capital individuals—or as we like to call them, talent—are the key to success in this new era of economic growth. Their ideas and creativity are the most important ingredients in the economic success of a firm or region.
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Our theory is that a connection exists between a metropolitan area’s level of tolerance for a range of people, its ethnic and social diversity, and its success in attracting talented people, including high-technology workers. People in technology businesses are drawn to places known for diversity of thought and open-mindedness. These places possess what we refer to as low barriers to entry for human capital. Diverse, inclusive communities that welcome gays, immigrants, artists, and free thinking “bohemians” are ideal for nurturing creativity and innovation, both keys to success in the new technology.
Our theory is that a connection exists between a metropolitan area’s level of tolerance for a range of people, its ethnic and social diversity, and its success in attracting talented people, including high-technology workers. People in technology businesses are drawn to places known for diversity of thought and open-mindedness. These places possess what we refer to as low barriers to entry for human capital. Diverse, inclusive communities that welcome gays, immigrants, artists, and free thinking “bohemians” are ideal for nurturing creativity and innovation, both keys to success in the new technology.
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Gay Index: This index measures the over—or under-representation of gay male couples in a metropolitan area relative to the population. The index is constructed as the fraction of gays who live in a metropolitan area divided by the fraction of the U.S. population who live in that area.
Gay Index: This index measures the over—or under-representation of gay male couples in a metropolitan area relative to the population. The index is constructed as the fraction of gays who live in a metropolitan area divided by the fraction of the U.S. population who live in that area.
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The report goes on to apply it's analysis to the 50 metropolitan areas in the USA, including Norfolk and Richmond, Virginia. Not surprisingly, both areas rank well below the middle of the list of cities when it comes to the "gay index" and tolerance. In fact, Norfolk ranks 37th out of 50 in terms of the gay index. Indeed, the ONLY area in Virginia that does well is the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. This makes perfect sense given Virginia's extremely anti-gay legal atmosphere. Should Taliban Bob and Ken "Kook" Cuccinelli be elected, the anti-gay atmosphere will only get worse - Taliban Bob has already stated that, if elected, he will not renew the Executive Order purporting to grant employment protection to GLBT state employees - and Virginia will be even less competitive. Would that more in the business community understood the tie between intolerance and poor ability to attract top high technology businesses.
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