They are dropping like flies, the number of LGBT bars are shrinking fast. Here in Connecticut there are rumors that in Hartford the Polo Club is closing, Triangles in the Danbury area has closed. The bars proved a sense of community, a place where you didn’t have to worry about what people think, a place to let your hair down. There is an interesting video about “The Last Lesbian Bar” that looks at this trend,
The video has a number of reasons why this trend is happening. It is possibly the online dating sites; no one has to go to bars to meet people. It could also be economical, the bars were usually located in low rent districts and as the price of rent has increased it maybe forcing the bars out of business or it could be that with discrimination decreasing there is no longer a need for a safe space. And it could also be because of marriage equality, LGBT people are settling down to married life and are staying home with their spouse and children watching TV with their dog sitting at their feet.
I know that a lot trans people went to Triangle when they had trans night. Many of the LG bars did have a trans night one night a month usually on their slow nights.
How important are LGBT bars to you? Do you visit them? What do you think is replacing them?
The video has a number of reasons why this trend is happening. It is possibly the online dating sites; no one has to go to bars to meet people. It could also be economical, the bars were usually located in low rent districts and as the price of rent has increased it maybe forcing the bars out of business or it could be that with discrimination decreasing there is no longer a need for a safe space. And it could also be because of marriage equality, LGBT people are settling down to married life and are staying home with their spouse and children watching TV with their dog sitting at their feet.
I know that a lot trans people went to Triangle when they had trans night. Many of the LG bars did have a trans night one night a month usually on their slow nights.
How important are LGBT bars to you? Do you visit them? What do you think is replacing them?
I agree that the LGBT places are closing. I miss Triangles and have been going to a place in Valhalla called the B Lounge. it was open daily when it first opened a few years ago but now is only Wed, Thurs,Frid and Sat.
ReplyDeleteMy theory is that LGB folks have found acceptance in all manner of club and restaurant and are fairly well accepted in most civilian establishments. Gay and Lesbian people who are out or no longer completely in the closet can be seen almost everywhere. As long as they do not engage in totally inappropriate PDA no one will take notice.
A man in a dress or a cross dressed or non-passable T person will be noticed. If that person is in the closet that person may not want to expose himself to being outed. It is interesting that the LGBT places have become a safe have for the T folks.
Pat