Houston’s only lesbian bar was denied insurance coverage and the owner says anti-drag legislature is to blame.
“They outright denied us, the underwriters, because we host drag shows,” Julie Mabry, the owner of Pearl Bar, told KPRC of Houston.
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Pearl Bar had been insured through December but recently Mabry wanted to shop for a new policy and decided to switch agents, according to KPRC. During the process of seeking a new policy, Mabry’s agent received a denial email, which she then forwarded to Mabry.
The first thing mentioned in the email was drag shows. The underwriter allegedly did not want to take on the risk of insuring a bar that hosted such events.
“This is the first time I’ve ever gotten an email like that. I cried about this for about a week,” Mabry told KPRC. Mabry did not provide more details about the email or its author.
Pearl Bar opened in 2013 and Mabry is asking its loyal patrons to contact their legislators about anti-LGBTQ bills in Texas, specifically ones that restrict drag shows.
Last month, Texas passed Senate Bill 12, which would restrict drag shows on public property, on the premises of a commercial enterprise or in the presence of a child, by a vote of 20-11. If this bill becomes law, violators could be subjected to civil penalties of up to $10,000.
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“Pearl needs everyone to speak up for us so that we can stay open and HOST DRAG SHOWS! It’s THAT serious,” reads a post on Pearl Bar’s Instagram account. “We are in the final stretch of session and every voice counts in pushing back on this and the other anti-LGBTQ legislation. We need you to step up, be loud, and tell your legislators NO to any anti-LGBTQ+ bills. Our state should be open to all, period.”
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You can follow Pearl Bar here.
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