There will always be a gay person in search of a home. Even if they don’t serve the same purpose they once did, they won’t be going away any time soon. San Diego’s Pride celebration is expected to bring out thousands and help local queer businesses get back some of the revenue COVID-19 robbed from them.Ī year and a half of isolation has people swarming the gay bars once more. “We will never forget the amazing memories we all made together, and we hope that you will not forget us.” “Although it is a hard blow to us and the entire MA4 family, it is nothing compared to the huge number of people that have lost their lives, health or someone that they love in this pandemic,” they wrote in a Facebook post. Martinis Above Fourth, a lounge known for their specialty drinks and live performances, announced in October they were declaring bankruptcy. Unfortunately, not all of the bars survived COVID-19. “I think they’ll always have a place for gay bars,” he said.
Detwiler said their fundamental importance is lessening because other queer activities like sports teams and coffee shop meet ups are filling that void. LGBTQ bars will always hold a sacred space in the heart of the community. Protests, charities and even San Diego’s first Pride were organized in the dark and dusty corners of these hubs. Video: Gay Bars Were Hit Hard By COVID, But Most Have Made It Back Ahead Of Pride Weekend “Gay bars are culturally different than straight bars because they’re sanctuaries … for people that have typically experienced a lot of prejudice and discrimination growing up which is something that the straight population hasn’t experienced." Paul Detwiler, who produced the documentary "San Diego's Gay Bar History," said the bar scene has, in many ways, been the foundation of that resilience. “They weren’t allowed to hold hands, it’s just the way things were.”īut the LGBTQ community has proven to be resilient. “They used to walk in with flashlights and shine them underneath the bar downtown and say all hands up on the bar,” she said. This was before Santillan owned The Rail. Some older patrons remember officers storming in, ticketing and beating same-sex people for holding hands or dancing together. Their history in the United States is riddled with police brutality, undercover operations and blatant abuse from bigots. Gay bars were not always the safe havens they are today. The community is not the same, it’s not as accepting, it’s not as, you know, open arms. It’s like comparing going here to somewhere downtown. “For lack of a better word, I mean it’s home, you know? We can’t be the same in a straight bar. I feel more comfortable with myself, with my partner,” Torres said. He said he feels fine at straight bars, but it’s nothing compared to gay bars. He has frequented The Rail and other local bars for six years. It meant Allen Torres was able to return to his happy place. RELATED: San Diego Pride: Hybrid Events, Full-Strength Heart Gavin Newsom lifted the last of the state’s major COVID-19 restrictions. Because I still didn’t know, none of us knew,” Santillan said.īut they made it through and The Rail had its grand-reopening celebration on June 17, two days after Gov. I would come in, walk around the bar and go ‘oh god, I can’t do this’ and just walk out the door in tears. While Santillan was immensely grateful for that support, she still had many moments when she thought it would all be over. Santillan also received a PPP loan and her landlords helped her work out a plan to stay open. She also did her best to take care of her staff, making them meals each day until they were on unemployment.
Santillan tried to make the most of the lockdown period, using the time to make some repairs.
It’s just bigger than most people can imagine.” “And losing Pride to anyone in this neighborhood business-wise is huge. “That to me was like the harder blow- not just COVID, it was losing Pride,” she said. Santillan’s low point came when 2020’s Pride was cancelled. Things weren’t much better for Gayle Santillan, who owns The Rail, San Diego’s oldest gay bar, which is also on Fifth Avenue. But the SRO Lounge also suffered through a severe gas leak and a car crash into the building during what was one of the darkest years of its existence. The pandemic dealt a crippling blow to all gay bars.