Yes, the LGBTQ community is underserved.
Yes, queer spaces are shuttering around the world at an alarming rate as a generation grows up with increased acceptance, not to mention dating apps forever at arm’s length.
And we should absolutely work to cultivate new spaces for people to congregate outside of mainstream establishments.
However, at the very top of the list of “things we really, really don’t need” is a Peter Thiel-backed “queer” co-working space for tech-savvy San Francisco gays that draws its name from the QPOC vernacular.
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.
And yet…
Via the Guardian:
A venture capital firm co-founded by Thiel, a gay conservative who donated $1.25m to Donald Trump and joined the president’s transition team, is the sole investor behind Yass, described as a “headquarters and hangout for a new generation of queer people”. Yass, announced last month and set to open in the spring, will provide LGBTQ people who pay membership dues access to events and a co-working space and social club, according to founder and CEO Brian Tran.
“Conservatives like Thiel are at the center of a movement that really doesn’t support queer communities. There’s some irony from trying to then profit from queer communities,” said Andrew Jolivette, an out San Francisco state professor of Native American studies, and a SF native.
He added: “This is Gay Inc 2.0 where now we’re not only sort of commercializing gay community and spaces, now we … take their expressions and their terminology.”
SF drag queen Honey Mahogany puts it even more bluntly: “Queer people and people of color are constantly being pushed out. It seems like giving people who already have a leg up, more of a leg up.”
Head here to read the full article in the Guardian, and share your thoughts below.
lauraspencer
What is wrong with wework?
DCguy
So in other words, t guy who spent a large sum of money supporting candidates who ran on a platform of harming lgbts wants to make money off of us now.
ChrisK
Yeah, but sounds like the place will cater to smug douchebags like Thiel so not exactly representative or at least not for me.
Alan down in Florida
“will provide LGBTQ people who pay membership dues access to events and a co-working space and social club”
Just what the millennial gays want – to have to pay for what they get for free now. NOT.
DCguy is spot on.
Sotzume
Anything backed by Trump lover, Peter Theil, should be rejected instantly by the LGBTQ community.
SiamSam
We nominated you as our spokesperson when now?
1EqualityUSA
SiamSam, How much do you get paid to lay your turd-bombs here on this thread, Yasshole? GFY
Kangol
This is what the intersection of neoliberalism and gay culture has produced: commodifying and monetizing gayness, with the history and content completely erased. Also telling that he takes a term from the gay vernacular, pioneered by the very LGBTQ people the politicians he supports have actively worked against, as the name for this venture. Orwell, eat your heart out.
1EqualityUSA
Yasshole
SiamSam
Oh, I see. Thiel isn’t the correct kind of gay.
1EqualityUSA
He is an enemy of our community for backing Trump. He is partially responsible for Neil Gorsuch sitting on his illegitimate behind for the next four decades on the Supreme Court. He is complicit in removing insurance for over 13 million citizens and raising taxes on them, another kick in the pants for good measure. Yeah, this Yasshole is not the correct kind of gay. The thought that he wants to live forever is frightening. Trump is a disaster and treasonous. Our Federal Courts are being lined with Yassholes from Coast to Coast. You, SiamSam, are a troll.
ChrisK
That and his revenge against Gawker who had the nerve to out him.
Goforit
Siamsam. Not only is Theil the wrong kind of gay, he is the wrong kind of human being. Theil, any business that takes his blood money or anyone that is willing to pay to be a part of his world should be shunned. Not just by the gay community but by humanity.
pickles
Oh please. A Republican funded gay space? In San Francisco??? Stupid. Stupid as Republicans are with finance. Only a fool would try to open a queer space with phobic money in the most liberal city in America. Fool. Try it in Alabama. No, actually, don’t.
ChrisK
I don’t think SF is the most liberal anymore. If there were liberal they’d have affordable housing.
scotshot
It’s similar to advertising nazi concentration camps as holiday camps for Jews & Gays & Etc, and charging them.
IWantAFullBeard
Thiel is pretty revolting guy but I bet he looks damn good in some tight jeans.