As opposed to
gay culture,
gay community is a very real
social construct necessitated by the human need to belong. Most
gay communities started in the turbulent periods when homosexuality was becoming decriminalised. While
homosexuals could begin to live openly they still feared isolation so they created communities to live in.
As homosexuals are allowed to openly integrate into mainstream society the necessity of gay communities is dwindling and some communities only serve to further segregation (like the scene or a gay ghetto).
But in some areas the need remains. While some people are allowed to openly display and act on their homophobia the need for an "exclusive" (although gay comments aren't really exclusive) gay community for protection and support remains.