Tue, 2009-10-20 05:01

It is essential to Oakland that we maintain safe spaces for people of all identities, but I think it critical that we maintain and develop spaces for folks we know are vulnerable.  Though I am pretty new to Oakland, I've quickly grown protective and hopeful for this space.  There are so many bright minds and powerful people doing good work here.  

As you mention, the closing of the Vibe Lounge was a strong blow for the Queer folks of color, but I think it important to note that queer women of color were especially effected.  Oakland has the largest population of lesbians per capita in the United States. Yet Queer women of color have lost footing in ALL of our most accessible nightclubs.

Vibe Lounge which was owned by a Lesbian couple was shuttered, The Velvet (3411 MacArthur) which was being managed by queer women of color, has decided to re-orient to serve a primarily heterosexual clientele, and Butta - Oakland's most reknowned monthly gathering for queer women of color has been unable to re-establish itself in the comfort of its stomping grounds at The Oasis Restaurant & Bar because of some difficulty in the business negotiating it's license to distribute alcohol.

As far as individual communities having safe spaces - I think it is critical to both develop spaces that serve specific populations, but I think it is also important to start thinking of how we can create the kinds of communities that don't require us to hole up in silos in order to feel safe.  The Oakland that I envision would allow for people from all walks of life to feel safe in whatever space that they find themselves, that there would be no doors where all aren't welcome and that we could interact with each other across our differences.  

And yea, I know it's lofty and idealistic, but like I said, I think highly of the possibilities for "Tha Town."

Wed, 2009-10-21 21:59

Great post, Krys--Having safe places to gather is essential to the health of every community.

Fri, 2009-10-23 13:16

Great question and cool posts.

I'd like to highlight the fact that there are a lot less Gay bars in general in the Bay Area. Most of the reason for this I'm sure is finance, our community is drinking less alcholol.

The good news is that gays today are proabably a lot healthier than they were in the 80s and 90s when I was clubbing regularly. (I'd love to see a study on this, my world is actually to small to really know.)

For sure Finances have always played a role in how long  Dyke and/or Lesbian bars survived. Women always made less cash which is why in many cities you'll note the POC Gay bars are mixed gender and/or there are clubs with Dyke/Lesbian nights.  Maybe we need something different. Maybe we need clubs that serve alchohol but the bar isn't ths center peice any more.


Imagine something bigger than bars, something that offers a large dance floor and a medium dance floor, an array of Soul and Carribean foods an outside area for lounging, grilling and dancing a stage in the large dance floor area. This place can hold funderaisers, films, drag shows nad has pool tables. It's got the easy feeling of El Rio or the Easy, the classy feeling of the Vibe bar, the spice of La Penya - but it's kinder than Tracks D.C.. Hell, it might even have resource info during the day along with some health classes (yoga, dance.

I guess I'm talking about a huge Queer Center largely managed by POC that has a club attached that helps to keep it open. The space could be POC themed and centered but hold events to celebrate eveyone - Irish night, Turkish night, a French black and white ball, a community Shabbot, African drumming, Asian films, Middle Eastern themes...

Thanks, I haven't thought about this in awhile. Peace, Fresh!