Geraldine's
Conspiracy? Please!
RECEIVED Thu., June 23, 2005
Dear Editor,
As a longtime gay Austin resident, I was irritated by the lamenting of the sudden closing of Sidekicks bar by one of your readers [“Postmarks,” June 17]. Over and over again, the gay men in this community have had to endure our lesbian counterparts sound off about the lack of bars for lesbians. There have been establishments that attempted to cater to lesbian clientele over the years, yet all “mysteriously” shut down. Yet, strangely, in the last six months two more primarily gay male venues have opened up with rousing success. Conspiracy? Please!
The primary purpose of any bar is the selling of alcoholic beverages. (Hello Mary?!) It is well known by many in Austin's gay male community that lesbians don't drink. Or to be specific, they don't drink enough. I can't tell you how many times I have gone out to clubs like Rain and seen clusters of my lesbian “sisters” all hulking in the corners, scowling, and not a drink in sight. The few lesbians I do see drinking, nurse the same bottle of Coors Light the entire evening. Just lovely. Meanwhile, in the other corner, I see many of my gay comrades more lit up than the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. Most of my male friends are on their third, fourth, or even fifth drink of the night and having a damn good time. One of Austin's gay clubs is even purported to have some of the highest alcohol revenues in the state.
Without getting into an argument on alcoholism or the excesses of gay men, I think the above really gets to the heart of the problem. Ms. Martin-Hinshaw attempts to blame the entire city of Austin and even questions our city's liberalness and gay-friendliness. Shame! Austin is a great town to be gay. Bars only do well when its patrons are supporting it by purchasing alcohol, and lots of it. Somebody needs to clue in the lesbian mafia that poetry slams, lousy guitar performances, and animal shelter fund raisers do not keep a bar/club in business. Booze drinking does! When the lesbian community proves, with their dollars, that they are ready for their own bar/club, they will get one. Drink, and it will come.
As a longtime gay Austin resident, I was irritated by the lamenting of the sudden closing of Sidekicks bar by one of your readers [“Postmarks,” June 17]. Over and over again, the gay men in this community have had to endure our lesbian counterparts sound off about the lack of bars for lesbians. There have been establishments that attempted to cater to lesbian clientele over the years, yet all “mysteriously” shut down. Yet, strangely, in the last six months two more primarily gay male venues have opened up with rousing success. Conspiracy? Please!
The primary purpose of any bar is the selling of alcoholic beverages. (Hello Mary?!) It is well known by many in Austin's gay male community that lesbians don't drink. Or to be specific, they don't drink enough. I can't tell you how many times I have gone out to clubs like Rain and seen clusters of my lesbian “sisters” all hulking in the corners, scowling, and not a drink in sight. The few lesbians I do see drinking, nurse the same bottle of Coors Light the entire evening. Just lovely. Meanwhile, in the other corner, I see many of my gay comrades more lit up than the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. Most of my male friends are on their third, fourth, or even fifth drink of the night and having a damn good time. One of Austin's gay clubs is even purported to have some of the highest alcohol revenues in the state.
Without getting into an argument on alcoholism or the excesses of gay men, I think the above really gets to the heart of the problem. Ms. Martin-Hinshaw attempts to blame the entire city of Austin and even questions our city's liberalness and gay-friendliness. Shame! Austin is a great town to be gay. Bars only do well when its patrons are supporting it by purchasing alcohol, and lots of it. Somebody needs to clue in the lesbian mafia that poetry slams, lousy guitar performances, and animal shelter fund raisers do not keep a bar/club in business. Booze drinking does! When the lesbian community proves, with their dollars, that they are ready for their own bar/club, they will get one. Drink, and it will come.
Bottoms Up!
Andrew Hudson
Andrew Hudson
