PRESERVATION SOCIETY

SF Activists Want To Keep Straights From Taking Over Now-Closed Eagle

Of all the things queer activists might interrupt a city council meeting for, protecting a shuttered gay bar seems pretty low on the list. But on Monday, a San Francisco Supervisors Committee was stopped by a group trying to block approval of a liquor license that would enable a new venue to set up shop in the space once occupied by the Eagle, the renowned leather bar that closed in April 2011.

Supervisors Scott Wiener and David Campos, both of whom are openly gay, joined in the chorus of voices claiming that if a straight venue took  over the SOMA tavern it would be a huge loss to the gay community.

In it’s day, the Eagle was famous for its Sunday afternoon beer busts, which benefited numerous AIDS and LGBT charities. But we can’t see how—logistically or legally—you can insist an empty building somehow “stay gay.”

The supervisors committee decided to table the license hearing until September, and suggested proponents garner more community support if they want a new bar.

Photo: Horizons Foundation

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