Yes, New York's recently ratcheted-up love affair with urban planning is producing a raft of mostly bland public spaces. But what does it mean for the gays? In this week's Observer, Choire Sicha speculates.

Read the whole thing, if only so you'll never look at the High Line quite the same way again—especially after this quote from architect Charles Renfro: "While it may sponsor gay cruising, I think it will also sponsor straight cruising and a general sense of pleasure that few public spaces in New York provide at this moment."
· The Great Gay Outdoors [Observer]