Known as the 'place to feel good', The Union Bar and Lounge in Houston, Texas is one of the top spots for hanging on the patio and listening to the local beats, boasting VIP treatment for all who enter. For some area gays, they were denied entry.
By now, the vast majority of Americans and even citizens world wide have put aside their need to bash those individuals who differ from some preconceived idea of "perfection" or "right." For years, the battle for equality raged on as those who were once turned away based upon a faux-belief system of inferiority now stand side by side in positions that were held only held by white Christian males.
Unfortunately, the fight continues for some as a night of fun in Houston's Midtown area turned to a night of alleged discrimination based upon sexual orientation.
The
Guerrilla Gay Bar is a nationwide roaming event that allows and encourages gays and lesbians to step out of the perceivably mundane and limited GLBT club scene that surrounds them and enjoy a toast of the town. From Dallas to Milwaukee, the GLBT community heads out to places where they might not normally visit, such as the
Baltimore Guerrilla Gay Bar taking their group of about 100 to a local Irish pub to enjoy a pint. Truly a way to stimulate the local economy while enjoying the area venues like their straight patrons. Although they will typically give the bar owner a head's up, they do not give too much notice so as not to disrupt the normal flow of the establishment, as this is also about showing that they are no different from the "regular" customers.
At
The Union Bar and Lounge, which boasts the largest patio to just chill with friends and rated as the
"#1 Party Bar in Midtown," Houston, the
Guerrilla Gay Bar never got a chance to enjoy what
The Union had to offer as they were denied entry and service. According to a
local Houston news report, those individuals responsible for allowing people into the bar kept:
pointing at a sign that said at the bottom, ‘We have the right to refuse service to anyone'
Of course, many members of the
Guerrilla Gay Bar had stood in line for quite some time and just watched as the line of about 100 gay and lesbians continued to grow. In the
Dallas Voice, a local newspaper for the gay and lesbian community, the event was explained in further detail, revealing how the "straight-appearing people" were given entry to the relatively empty establishment while the GLBT group stood outside in the rain.
The
Guerrilla Gay Bar did contact
The Union in advance, making a reservation and they were told they would be welcomed, as reported in the Voice and by local Houston news. Upon arrival, that welcoming committee and reservation turned to quite a controversy as employees of
The Union told the gay members they were trying to "maintain a 'ratio.'"
One of the members of the
Guerrilla Gay Bar explained an attempt to gain entry:
Kris Banks, who stood at the front of the line, said the bar employees were asking the women who were entering with men if the men were accompanying them. If the men were with the women, they were allowed in.
“I arrived and heard that they were not allowing gay men in, so when I got to the door with three women I asked if we would be allowed in, and the door employee said ‘I was told to keep you out’
Even the recent
reviews on Google and Facebook at the "Union Bar Houston - We will not go there" show many first hand accounts of the perceived inappropriate treatment of these individuals.
The owner of
The Union Bar and Lounge did apologize and stated in the KHOU article that the whole thing was a "big misunderstanding," explaining how the venue has a limited capacity of just under 120 maximum and that they are typically booked with private parties first. Another site called
Eventective listed the maximum event venue restriction as 300 capacity. However, the owner did not say if there had been private parties booked at
The Union Bar and Lounge that prevented the previously welcomed group from entering. But words like "maintain ratio" and pointing to signs saying they have the right to refuse service to anyone may answer that question. The owner is expected to meet with the
Guerrilla Gay Bar planner today and show his love for the gay community.
In the world of popular clubs, the line waits can be daunting with places like the LAX Nightclub in Las Vegas hosting private parties for up to 3,500 people and
waiting can be as long as 3 1/2 hours.
This was the first gathering of the
Guerrilla Gay Bar for Houston, an event that has proved very successful in other cities across the nation, but sadly it proved just how far from equality some places may be. Houston has a reputation of having a substantial gay and lesbian population.
