Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) urban districts are a unique aspect of many cities in the United States. Geographically, these spaces are dynamic, although largely ignored by geographers. Within the limited literature concerning this topic in the field of geography and other social science disciplines, a clear gap emerges concerning the definition of the key characteristics of LGBT districts and the application of those characteristics to any given city in the United States. Four characteristics emerge from existing literature as the most commonly studied regarding such districts, including a historical connection, a business concentration, a residential component, and a visual LGBT landscape.

The following thesis examines these four common characteristics and how they come together to define an LGBT district. This study analyzes these characteristics within the spatial context of St. Louis, Missouri, to examine if the city has a LGBT district. Each characteristic was examined using various methodological approaches including: interviews, surveys, field observation, and archival research. After data analysis for each characteristic, findings indicate the four characteristics are not wholly present in any one single area of the City of St. Louis. Lack of business diversity, minimal visual cues, insufficient historical connection, and no evidence of any residential concentration come together to provide data supporting the conclusion that St. Louis, Missouri is only home to an LGBT entertainment district, rather than a fully comprehensive LGBT district.