Unless you’ve been living under a stone for the past few years, you will know that the demise of Lesbian Bars, particularly in the US, has been alarming.  However, what most of us amy not know is exactly how they are on the actual brink of being extinct species.   If you thought 200 was a low number back in 2008, then how does 21 seem to you know. And even that is fiercely optimistic as other sources say that the COVID lockdown has already ended up killing even more off.

In 2020 the Lesbian Bar Project PSA and fundraising campaign was specifically launched to help the country’s lesbian bars survive the coronavirus pandemic, and in turn that inspired a new documentary short that aims to highlight the 21 bars with the hopes of keeping their doors open.

The film, from executive producer  Lea DeLaria (Orange Is the New Black) and also the proprietor of The Club in Ptown, highlights the owners and patrons of lesbian bars in three cities: New York City, New York; Mobile, Alabama; and Washington, D.C. Co-directed by Erica Rose and Elina Street, the documentary is also sponsored by Jägermeister’s Save The Night campaign, which hosts charity initiatives to raise money for nightlife venues.

Street said in a press release “We aim to tell the personal stories of the lesbian bar owners, patrons, and community activists who have been working tirelessly to save the sacred spaces in their local communities over the past year. The documentary spotlights their hopes for the future, but also takes a look back at the safe spaces that influenced the queer community throughout history.” 

The documentary will have its online world premiere Thursday, June 3 on Jägermeister’s Global YouTube. Tied to the film’s release, the Lesbian Bar Project will be relaunching its 2020 fundraiser, which will remain active throughout Pride Month.

https://www.lesbianbarproject.com/