In 2020, there are only 15 known lesbian-centric bars left standing across the entire United States.
Throughout the decades, these sacred establishments have acted as safe spaces for people of marginalized genders, including women, nonbinary folks, and trans men. Not only are they watering holes for socializing and meeting others, but they’re crucial venues for queer folk to build community, make cross-generational queer connections, and organize political actions.
While some of the lesbian bars left today have tried to adapt during the COVID-19 pandemic by rolling out virtual events and offering to-go cocktails, they might not see brighter days without a little help.
That’s why the Lesbian Bar Project has launched a 30-day fundraising campaign for the remaining 15 lesbian bars in the U.S, conducted in partnership with the non-profit arts service organization Fractured Atlas. Through the campaign website, anyone can learn about the establishments that are still alive, view photos from inside the bars, and read direct quotes from the owners themselves about what the spaces mean to them. All donations will be split up evenly between the participating bars. You can donate directly here through November 26.
All the participating bars are: A League of Her Own in Washington, DC.; Blush&Blu in Denver, CO; Cubbyhole and Henrietta Hudson in New York, NY; Herz in Mobile, AL; Ginger’s in Brooklyn, NY; Gossip Grill in San Diego, CA; Lipstick Lounge inNashville, TN; My Sister’s Room in Atlanta, GA; Pearl Bar in Houston, TX; Slammers in Columbus, OH; Toasted Walnut in Philadelphia, PA; Walker’s Pint in Milwaukee, WI; and Wildrose in Seattle, WA. Dallas bar Sue Ellen's is spotlighted on the Lesbian Bar Project website, but has opted out of the donation pool to allow for more support for the other businesses.
The campaign launches today alongside a PSA video, narrated by actor and comedian Lea DeLaria (Orange Is the New Black) and co-directed by Erica Rose and Elina Street. It honors lesbian spaces past and present, featuring incredible archival images of queer folks gathering, partying, and protesting. “I remember the first time I walked into a lesbian bar,” DeLaria says in the clip. “This was us.” Check it out above.
In statements, Rose and Street both reflected on how Cubbyhole, the iconic New York City bar, helped them both feel comfortable in their sexuality and connect with fellow queers. “I was home,” Street said in a statement to them. “Now as a proudly OUT filmmaker who has made it my mission to tell and promote queer stories, I want to use the power of filmmaking to illuminate the rich history of these 15 spaces and provide an opportunity for lesbian bars to tell their stories.”
Rose added that the project gave them an opportunity “to collaborate with other artists, and to elevate the voices of those that deserve to be heard, cherish the memories of the lost spaces but also to project a future of hope and sustainability within our community.” As part of the campaign, the two are working on a documentary series on the history of lesbian bars and their social impact, which will roll out at a future date.
Lily Ali-Oshatz & Charles Hayes IV serve as producers for the project, with DeLaria and The Katz Company serving as executive producers. It’s sponsored by Jagermeister, through their ongoing #savethenight Initiative which aims to aid nightlife spaces. A representative for Jagermeister confirmed to them. in a statement that the liquor brand “has made a financial contribution to the initiative through Fractured Atlas.”
Hopefully after the campaign is over in four weeks, these precious bars will be able to not just survive through the pandemic, but thrive afterwards.
This post was updated to include clarification about Jagermeister's role in the campaign.
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