Turning to GoFundMe, Queer Bars Hope to Avoid Extinction

Featured image: via FaceBook GoFundMe

To put it in conservation terms: Lesbian bars have always been particularly vulnerable to risks of being threatened or endangered. Once peaking at over 200 venues in the U.S. in the 1980s, we’re down to 37, per The Lesbian Bar Project, which chronicles the ebbs and flows. Thankfully, new bars sprout up from time to time, but for each venue opened, others are struggling to stay afloat, impacted by any number of factors—from the expense of running a niche business, to the rise of online dating, and even a tornado!

Lipstick Lounge, a lesbian-owned “bar for humans”, was in the path of a twister that tore through East Nashville on March 2, 2020. It ripped off the roofs, destroyed windows and chandeliers, and pummeled the patio. Thankfully, it was a Monday and the bar was closed. Friends of Lipstick immediately rallied to save the anchor of their community that had occupied Woodland Street for 18 years. Crowdsourcing over $17,000 through GoFundMe, they salvaged the space in eight days. But other challenges were around the corner. No sooner had they pulled off repairs than owners learned that Nashville was ordering all restaurants and bars closed due to COVID-19.

Image of tornado-damaged Lipstick Lounge/ via FaceBook GoFundMe

Like many nightlife and service businesses, the pandemic left many of our favorite watering holes hanging on for dear life. Some never fully recovered. But Lipstick did. In 2024, the owners set out to break new ground with a sports bar venture—a 1,500 square foot addition to the original space. “Chapstick” is expected to open later this year. The GoFundMe page is a testament to longstanding support:

“I know how important The Lipstick Lounge is. I was dearly thankful for the times that I spent there and want this business to remaining standing and open as long as possible. Thank you for all that you do for the region. Open strong, stay open.”

As You Are (AYA) DC is a queer community space, bar, cafe, and dance floor; and home to social sport leagues, youth socials, karaoke, and open mics. Last year, Rach Pike and her wife, Jo McDaniel, turned to GoFundMe to help with a bucket list that included work on the patio, AC maintenance, and repairs to floors that date back to the 1940s. In an overwhelming outpouring of support, they hit their goal in three days; now, with over 3,000 donations, they’ve exceeded it, having raised over $175,000.

“THANK YOU! That doesn’t even begin to describe the level of gratitude we have, but it is a start. We will continue to serve you and fight for our space so we can always have a safe space,” organizers updated supporters.

Another queer-friendly space in need of repair, The Pavilion Cottages are seeking $7000 to save five blighted historic Victorian townhomes in Sharon Springs, NY—to turn them into a glampground for the LGBT+ community and allies. Thanks to $2100 raised to date, they’ve started replacing the roof and removing overgrown trees and shrubs.

Like many bars, Los Angeles queer bar Precinct DTLA saw a steady decline in nightlife since the COVID shutdowns. ICE raids and curfews haven’t helped. But it’s a lawsuit by a former employee that set this one over the edge. Up against the toll of fighting accusations by a former employee, a white cisgender woman who alleges discrimination (and that another employee broke two of her fingers), Jeremy Lucido and cohorts turned to GoFundMe. To date, about $65,000 of a $70,000 goal has been raised to cover legal expenses.

Not all queer-friendly venues have been as lucky

Earlier this year, two local bartenders with eight children between them made a pitch to save CC Slaughters, which has served Portland, OR for 44 years. They had intended to put the lounge up for sale on August 3rd, but the turnout of support inspired them to crowdsource in hopes of preserving craft cocktails from bartender Buttercup and all the queer joy they were known for. But after raising $100, organizers disabled new donations. 

“Unfortunately we are no longer purchasing the bar,” organizer Vanessa Stocklein wrote to GO. “We were informed we were the only buyers at the table and began getting all our finances in order when we met to discuss payment. We were informed they loved us and our energy, but someone had come to him with a much larger offe,r and he was going with them. We are hopeful the space continues to thrive and be a safe haven for the community.”

When the ship is sinking, a lifeboat for vulnerable staff

This Is It, Milwaukee’s oldest gay bar, would have celebrated 57 years this summer. Despite raising thousands through GoFundMe, co-owners drag queen Trixie Mattel and George Schneider had to call it quits in March. Like some other venues that couldn’t pull it off, This Is It continued to raise money for loyal bartenders and staff who were greatly impacted. All in, they drew in over $23,000.

Image via This Is It Bar on Instagram

For as long as there have been queer bars, walking through the door for the first time has been a rite of passage. A safe space where people can gather. A brick and mortar stomping grown with community at the core. The expressions supporters leave with their contribution speak volumes:

GoFundMe support note in Nashville