➤ LESBIAN BAR PROJECT, from p.49
gather.” The camaraderie experienced
in lesbian and queer-centric
spaces isn’t easily duplicated and
was ferociously hard-fought. Many
historical events were fi rst developed
during clandestine conversations
in various lesbian bars.
That said, these spaces are sometimes
a microcosm of the world in
that there have been incidents of
racism, biphobia and transphobia,
and racism. As recently as the
1980s, discriminatory tactics were
employed by many popular bars to
exclude queer women of color and
trans women, including “carding”
and dress codes. The exclusionary
practices led to many seeking alternative
safe-havens. Salsa-Soul
Sisters developed as the fi rst lesbian
organization created by African-
Americans and Latina Americans.
They offered members a social
and political alternative to the lesbian
and gay bars, which “historically
exploited and discriminated
against lesbians of color.”
As the world changed, so have
opportunities to fi nd community.
Lesbian bars have become a less
popular part of lesbian social life
due to increased same-sex partnership
acceptance, safe spaces
carved out in online communities,
and a broad cultural shift in
terms of fl uidity. “Queer” has been
reclaimed and chosen term, frequently
replacing gay and/or lesbian
and encompassing the broader
LGBTQ community. Many have
begged a need for mixed LGBTQ
spaces that include and honor
gender-fl uidity, amassing umbrella
terms, and diversity.
Some lesbian hotspots have
risen to the task and adapted a
new world order. Lisa Cannistraci,
owner of Henrietta Hudson, a queer
restaurant and lounge in Manhattan’s
West Village neighborhood,
asserts, “A lot of women who love
women don’t identify as a lesbian.
We have to break the cycle of being
exclusionary within our community.”
Cannistraci and others hold on
to their history while raising the
banner of inclusivity as a mainline
objective, stating that lesbian
bars indeed exist for all marginalized
genders. Those that can evolve
with the times only need to worry
about the threat of fi nancial ruin
and squaring off with gentrifi ers.
Already fi ghting an uphill battle,
surviving lesbian institutions found
compounded stress when COVID-19
struck. Initial closures, regulations
on capacity, reduced staff, and reduced
service hours affected the
wages and well-being of many of the
women, trans people, and non-binary
people who work in those establishments.
Additionally, the women
in those bars, often with less disposable
income, must also keep up with
climbing rent costs and the impact
of shifting supply chain.
The dip in lesbian bars has not
meant that queer folks are congregating
or celebrating; they’re
simply diversifying how they connect
And while we’re seeing lesbian
bars disappearing in real
life, they’re burgeoning on screen,
according to the New York Times.
The showrunner for the CW series
“Batwoman,” Caroline Dries, essentially
resurrected famous Los
Angeles spots, such as the Normandie
Room (closed in 2009)
and the Palms (closed in 2013)
on the set of the series. At least in
the fi ctional world of Gotham City,
the women can visit the bar, Hold
Up, and fi nd sanctuary. Likewise,
lesbian bar culture lives in Showtime’s
“The L Word: Generation Q”
and “Vida.” The stations give the
primary characters settings where
they can meet and feel supported.
The surviving bars continue to
honor a rich tradition, one that’s
changed the narrative around
nightlife. It isn’t solely about booze
or sordid acts in the shadows; it’s
about community. Less than half a
century ago, the consequences for
living and celebrating loudly would
have been dire. Lesbian bars will
continue to change and continue
to move toward the queer model
while resonating as a movement.
“Without space,” the Lesbian
Bar Project website states. “We
lose power, validity, community
safety, access to intergenerational
dialogue…with the support of our
community; we can make sure
these bars receive not only the fi -
nancial support they need but the
reverence they deserve. When our
history isn’t protected, we must
protect it ourselves.”
THE LESBIAN BAR PROJECT
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COM
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facts. vax.
COVID-19 vaccines are safe,
effective and will help us all get
back to the people and activities
we have missed.
Bill de Blasio
Mayor
Dave A. Chokshi, MD, MSc
Health Commissioner
To get the facts about COVID-19 vaccines, visit nyc.gov/covidvaccine.
Visit nyc.gov/vaccinefi nder or call 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692)
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