By Karen Ocamb

Does your West Hollywood neighborhood seem crawling with young couples pushing baby strollers, probably legally married? Does your once quiet apartment building seem over-run with rude, loud straights? Does West Hollywood, internationally revered as a gay mecca, suddenly feel like Stepford Wives meets Star Trek? "We are Borg, sweetie. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile." For some it may feel that way, but is it actually the truth?

Is West Hollywood becoming -- gasp -- heterosexualized? Is there an actual demographic shift to warrant that perception? And, if the LGBT political goal is full equality, is such a trend a bad thing?

Last November, the City of West Hollywood undertook a community survey to evaluate community needs to help prioritize budget decisions. A preliminary report was presented to the City Council on March 27.

According to the 2000 Census, West Hollywood's population is 35,716. Sara Kocher Consulting randomly mailed surveys to 4,000 households and received 610 replies. The firm also conducted numerous interviews and focus groups. Over half (57 percent) of those who responded were male, 43 percent female and 1 percent was transgender.

Gay males accounted for 37 percent of the survey (which is reflective of the population), compared to 41 percent in the 2000 Census and 35 percent in 1998. Heterosexuals accounted for 55 percent, compared to 54 percent in 2000, and 56 percent in 1998. Lesbians accounted for 4 percent, compared to 3 percent in 2000 and 3 percent in 1998. Bisexuals accounted for 3 percent, compared to 3 percent in 2000, and 6 percent in 1998. On health issues, AIDS/HIV ranked second (10 percent) behind mobility impairment (11 percent) affecting the surveyed households.

"The survey is actually statistically valid," said John Heilman, who was sworn in as mayor on April 17, told IN. "The actual numbers probably vary somewhat but in the 5 percent range. One thing that has fueled the perception that West Hollywood isn't as gay as it used to be is the change in the club scene near Robertson. What used to be a fairly exclusive gay area has changed. Pearl and here Lounge have both catered to the straight community and Abbey has consciously tried to appeal to a mixed crowd.

"Another thing that is fueling the feeling," Heilman said, "is that other areas have become more gay-friendly. Long Beach, for example, has developed a thriving gay community. Downtown L.A. and Hollywood have seen new high-rise developments that are appealing to younger gay professionals. Fifteen or 20 years ago, West Hollywood and Silver Lake were some of the only options for openly gay people to feel a sense of community -- that has obviously changed."

There are other changes. More households reported annual incomes of over $100,000 and more reported incomes under $10,000, the consultant reported.

Additionally, the city has an aging population, with 25-34-year-olds accounting for 18 percent, compared to 27 percent in 2000. The 35-44 group accounts for 27 percent of the population, compared to 25 percent in 2000. The 45-54 age range jumped 2 percent while those 55-64 jumped 5 percent from 9 percent in 2000 to 14 percent in 2006.

Surely more will be revealed with the final report in June.