Cities change, hairstyles evolve, interest rates fluctuate, but sometimes it’s hard to let go of the past. San Francisco might just manage to hold onto a sliver of the city it once was, thanks to a co-op partnership of beautiful artists, politicians, and fundraisers.
San Francisco, renowned as a beacon of creativity, has been in the process of evicting all but the super-wealthy for the last few years. It was only a matter of time before the city’s new owners turned their gaze to The Stud, a ramshackle building where some of the wildest, most creative queer culture in the world was invented and perfected. The Stud’s managed to evade the hands of developers for some time because it was located in a sketchy neighborhood, but when the former landlords sold the property, the new owners more than doubled the rent.
For a while, it looked like the bar might have to shut down — a sad state of affairs, given how crucial gay bars are to the community. Or it would do what everyone else in San Francisco’s been doing for the last five years: decide whether to move to Oakland, Portland, Austin, or Seattle. (Sidebar: have you seen some of the incredible drag coming out of Seattle lately? Check out Cucci’s Critter Barn or Glitterbeast or Mimosas Cabaret and get ready to have your mind blown.)
But then a group of about 15 tough San Franciscans got together with a plan: they’d raise the money needed to secure a long-term lease to keep the Stud where it is. So far, so good — they’ve raised the money, and now they’re pushing for negotiations with the landlords.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
That doesn’t mean that the bar is saved yet. They still need to sit down together and work out a deal. And in order to satisfy the rent demands levied by the crazy-rich people who now own San Francisco, The Stud will have to become a lot more profitable than it once was.
Best of luck to all parties involved. You’re going to need it. And remember: Portland ain’t so bad.
robho3
It is so depressing all the raunchy fun gay bars seem to be disappearing esp in sf. SOMA has become a bunch of high end Apts for the Silicon Valley crowd. I long for the days of raunchy gay bars and backrooms. Hookimg up on Craigslist is just not the same.
ChuckF
How do we support the cause? Is there a kickstarter account?
Wilberforce
This makes me so sad. We Pogo’d to Planet Clare and body humped to Soul Macosa back in the day. But it was inevitable. Heartless mainstream culture levels everything in search of a buck.
Wilberforce
Addendum: the Pogo was the original punk dance. You jumped up and down, and it was so fun when everyone was doing it. It was like boing boing boing. The Mosh, where everyone ran into each other, was a horrible replacement, but typical of cruel mainstream culture.
Sammy Schlipshit
This is one of the gathering places that saved me. In the early days I was a lost, fearful homo boy. Going to the Stud helped me put my foot, so to speak, in the door.
Wish I had gone more….and stayed longer.
The Stud was always a mix of humanity.
Great music for dancing. I ain’t talkin’ about disco or the crappy, horrible junk that passes for music these days.
Glad to see at least some of the young’uns are discovering all the great music from the 60’& 70″s,
Now is the time for any of those super rich gay men and women to step up by putting some of their fortunes to great use.
Buy the damn thing, already. Set up a foundation for ongoing support.
The Stud Foundation….has a great ring to it, eh?
Josh447
@robho3
Ditto. Oh so ditto. Getting enslaved in technology can’t hold one candle to being physically together in the high vibe of fun laughter and human joy.
Bob LaBlah
The question should be where is Peter Thiel and his billions when they are needed?
Bob LaBlah
@Sammy Schlipshit: Keep in mind also that back in those days a SUCCESSFUL protest/demonstration would have been held to save the bar and it probably would have worked. It felt more of a community back then compared to nowadays.