“Moving here in the early ’80s, I saw AIDS take its toll,” Craig says. He says the AIDS crisis was also responsible for the decimation of the local queer community. Craig says that beginning in the ’90s, gay establishments were bought up and converted into “hipster” haunts. It is perhaps this allure that led to the community’s downfall. In fact, Silver Lake had a punk-rock edge to it.” Silver Lake was where the leather daddies were. “West of Hollywood was where the pretty boys were. “When I first moved here, it was inexpensive to live here,” Craig told me. But Craig, who has lived in the area for decades, says Silver Lake is no longer the gay hub it used to be. In fact, one of the first demonstrations in America protesting police brutality against LGBTQ+ people took place at Black Cat Tavern on Sunset Boulevard. Silver Lake was once was a major hub for the queer community. “This is generalizing, but I think there’s truth in that.” gay bar Akbar, in the Silver Lake neighborhood. “The gays take a neighborhood, turn it cute, and then the straights come in,” says Scott Craig, who is one of the owners of L.A. The New York Times described it as a “straightening.” One of the most notable examples of this is what happened to New York City’s West Village. It is also true that it impacts the LGBTQ+ community. We often think of gentrification as displacing communities of color. We lose the cultural vitality that happens when our creatives or creative folks are inhabiting the same space.” “When we lose the gayborhoods, we lose a lot more than a few taverns we lose the political power that comes when we are concentrated in specific precincts and have the ability to elect our own and defeat our enemies. The reality is that what we often call gayborhoods are going away. “So often this conversation ends up being kind of a silly conversation about straight bachelorettes invading gay bars. But he’s worried about other residents who may also be forced to leave, and the bigger issue: the loss of so-called “gayborhoods.” Jones will move to a home in Guerneville, in Sonoma County, though he plans to maintain a presence in the community he’s been part of since the ’70s. But his home no longer feels welcome, he told me. Jones, who was behind the AIDS Memorial Quilt, told me his rent was increased from $2,393 to $5,200 - which is “pretty steep, even in San Francisco.” At first, he was set on remaining in his apartment. The saga involving activist Cleve Jones’ flat in the Castro neighborhood has been covered by many outlets, most comprehensively by the San Francisco Chronicle. He says the incident is an example of how members of his community find themselves pushed out of neighborhoods they have enriched. Times Festival of Books.Īt the end of this month, a San Francisco LGBTQ+ rights activist says he will move out of his apartment, ending a well-publicized feud with his landlord. I’m Justin Ray.įYI: Here’s a recap of the lively conversation I had with Billy Porter- who starred in FX’s “Pose” and wrote a new memoir, “Unprotected”-at the L.A. 1st St #180.Good morning, and welcome to the Essential California newsletter. "It was a challenge but just like anyone you can adapt and in the end we survived," Cordova said.įind out more information about The Garden, click here.
While entertainment was a challenge during the pandemic, Cordova says he is happy to welcome back live performers. "I am really blessed and lucky that I am able to give the LGBTQ community a safe place to enjoy themselves," Cordova said.
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Since reopening and allowing full capacity inside, Cordova says safety protocols are still in place and they will continue to follow CDC guidelines. "I couldn't have found a better location than the Arts District," Cordova said. RELATED: Las Vegas celebrates as June is Pride MonthĬordova says he dreamed of opening a bar for the LGBTQ community for `12 years and his dream finally came true when he opened The Garden in the heart of the Las Vegas Arts District. We offer signature cocktails, an amazing drag brunch on Saturday and Sunday and we just have something for everyone," Cordova says. "We have a brand new concept for gay nightlife in Las Vegas.
LAS VEGAS (KTNV) - The Garden Las Vegas opened their doors in the middle of the pandemic.ĭespite challenges, owner Educardo Cordova beat the odds and is now ready for nightlife's comeback.Ĭordova says The Garden is the "hottest gay bar in Las Vegas."