8 Movement – MPX NYC

Code

make_plotdata_movement_matrix() |>
  plot_matrix_movement() +
  scale_fill_mpxnyc(name = "From Borough", option = "dark") +
  scale_color_mpxnyc(name = "To Borough", option = "dark") +
  scale_size_mpxnyc() +
  theme_mpxnyc_matrix_movement()

Figure 8.1: Movement between home and gatherings by MPX NYC participant. Each point shows the relationship between a participant’s home community district (y-axis) and the district of a gathering (x-axis). Dot size indicates count, and color represents borough.

MPX NYC participants’ movement patterns reveal how social life—and likely the outbreak itself—traversed New York’s neighborhoods. Using participants’ home and contact venues, we visualized how gatherings connected community districts across boroughs.

8.1 Spatial patterns

Figure 8.1 maps each gathering’s community district (x-axis) against the participant’s home community district (y-axis). Dots along the diagonal show that much movement occurred within the same community district, while off-diagonal clusters show inter-district travel. Four distinct clusters stand out: one within Brooklyn (pink), one within Manhattan (purple), and two representing cross-borough movement between Brooklyn and Manhattan. Together, these illustrate how interconnected queer nightlife and social spaces were—locally dense, yet city-wide in reach.

8.2 Spatial concentration

Figure 8.2 compares the share of primary residences and gatherings across community districts. Within each borough, a few districts were over-represented among gatherings relative to where participants lived—specifically BK01 (Williamsburg–Greenpoint), MN04 (Chelsea-Hudson Yards), and QN05 (Ridgewood). These places mark the city’s social centers: where people converged for nightlife, group gatherings, and sexual contact, amplifying both community connection and opportunities for transmission.

Code

make_plotdata_spatial_concentration_bar() |>
  plot_home_vs_residence_dbn_bar() +
  scale_alpha_mpxnyc() +
  scale_fill_mpxnyc(name = "Borough", option = "dark") +
  scale_axis_mpxnyc() +
  theme_mpxnyc_home_vs_place()

Figure 8.2: Difference between the proportion of primary residences and contact venues in each community district, highlighting areas over-represented among venues.

Code

plot_icon(icon_name = "eggplant", color = "dark_green", shape = 8)