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Indybay Feature
Gay Bars Continue Decades Old Tradition
Sunday, the Twin Peaks bar in the Castro, and Deco Lounge, in the Tenderloin, continue a tradition of raising money to fund AIDS activities and gay community activities. In many ways, these events, which began almost 40 years ago, became the foundation for San Francisco's gay community. Raising funds for AIDS Walk San Francisco, a bake sale starts Sunday morning at 10 at the Twin Peaks, the world's first glass enclosed gay bar, at Castro and Market. The Twin Peaks event starts at 10 a.m. Every year, for more than most can remember, bartenders George Roehm and Jeff Green, encourage their customers to bake muffins, cookies, pies and cakes. As food comes in, it quickly becomes product. Leaving without a purchase is presumed a futile exercise.
A few dollars here, a few dollars there add up. The Twin Peaks, like most other gay bars in the 80's, was a primary source of funds to begin the fight against AIDS. The gay and lesbian bars of San Francisco became a consistent and reliable source for funds.
During 1981 and 1982, when little government funding was available, money raised in these bars made the difference between shutting down or providing care. It really was that important.
In years which followed, most gay bars participated and many AIDS organizations can trace their original funding source to these bars. Collectively, these events, held all across the city, raised literally millions of dollars. Those bake sales, drag queen initiated auctions and plant sales in these bars were the direct source for the initial funding of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the AIDS Emergency Fund, and through the years, many others.
Over in the Tenderloin, an important, though different kind of fundraiser kicks off at 3 pm at Deco Lounge, the new gay bar at 510 Larkin Street near Turk. Money raised will be used to complete funding for "Screaming Queens," a documentary which focuses on events surrounding a riot at Compton's Cafeteria in 1966.
Read More
http://www.beyondchron.org/news/index.php?itemid=3366#more
During 1981 and 1982, when little government funding was available, money raised in these bars made the difference between shutting down or providing care. It really was that important.
In years which followed, most gay bars participated and many AIDS organizations can trace their original funding source to these bars. Collectively, these events, held all across the city, raised literally millions of dollars. Those bake sales, drag queen initiated auctions and plant sales in these bars were the direct source for the initial funding of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the AIDS Emergency Fund, and through the years, many others.
Over in the Tenderloin, an important, though different kind of fundraiser kicks off at 3 pm at Deco Lounge, the new gay bar at 510 Larkin Street near Turk. Money raised will be used to complete funding for "Screaming Queens," a documentary which focuses on events surrounding a riot at Compton's Cafeteria in 1966.
Read More
http://www.beyondchron.org/news/index.php?itemid=3366#more
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