A Friday on the "F Loop": A straight man's gay bar crawl

Contents:

• A GAY GUI TO PICKG UP THE HOT GUY AT THE BAR
• LET'S TALK ABOUT STRAIGHT PEOPLE QUEER SPAC"I WANT STRAIGHT PEOPLE TO QUTN THEMSELV WHEN THEY GO TO A QUEER SPACE, WHY DO I FEEL ENTLED TO GO TO THIS PLACE?"{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}CULTUREBY BOBBY BOXNOVEMBER 4, 2021/2:24 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:3840PX;WIDTH:5760PX;}GETTYGROUP OF YOUNG CHEERFUL PEOPLE ARE HAVG FUN THE NIGHT CLUB, DRKG CKTAILS, SG, BONDG, CLUBBG, CHEERG AND DANCG.BY BOBBY BOXNOVEMBER 4, 2021 / 2:24 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"LET'S TALK ABOUT STRAIGHT PEOPLE QUEER SPAC","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2021-11-04T18:24:36.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2021-11-04T18:24:36.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"BOBBY BOX","ARTICLESECTN":"CULTURE"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN I MOVED TO TORONTO OM MY HOMETOWN OF HATON, ONCE MORTIFYGLY CROWNED THE CY WH THE MOST HATE CRIM CANADA, WAS 2018, AND I ONLY HAD ONE IEND. IN A SPERATE ATTEMPT TO MAKE IENDS AND MONEY, I CREATED A GRDR PROFILE LOOKG FOR A JOB AS A BARTENR SCE I LIVED ONE STREET AWAY OM THE CY’S GAY VILLAGE. I RECEIVED AN OFFER 24 HOURS LATER TO WORK AT ONE OF THE CY’S MOST POPULAR BARS, WHICH HOSTED DRAG SHOWS EVERY NIGHT OF THE WEEK AND WAS PARTICULARLY POPULAR AMONG QUEER STUNTS AND STRAIGHT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DURG MY STT AS A BARTENR AND BAR-BACK, MENTS LIKE, “IT’S A SHAME THAT YOU’RE GAY,” AND UNSOLICED ASS- AND CROTCH-GRABBG, WERE NIGHTLY OCCURRENC ALMOST EXCLIVELY OM STRAIGHT WOMEN CLIENTELE. ON ONE PARTICULAR OCSN, I LOOKED BACK AT A DNKEN ASS-GRABBER TO SLD HER. SHE RPOND BY WKG AND MOUTHG THE WORDS, “YOU’RE WELE.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A VETERAN -WORKER LATER ASSURED ME, “YOU’LL GET ED TO . IT’S JT PART OF THE JOB.” I QU AFTER TWO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“THERE ARE TWO TYP OF STRAIGHT PEOPLE THAT TYPILLY E TO QUEER SPAC: THE ON WHO E LARGE NUMBERS AND HAVE NO RPECT OF HOW TO BEHAVE A QUEER SPACE AND TRY TO TAKE OVER, AND THERE ARE THE ALLI, WHO ARE WELL-TED AND UNRSTAND THAT THEY ARE GUTS OUR SPACE,” TORONTO-BASED DRAG PERFORMER KERO SALEIB TELLS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OVER THE PHONE, KERO RELLS A PARTICULARLY HARROWG EXPERIENCE A POPULAR DRAG BAR. HE AND A GROUP OF IENDS WERE WATCHG A DRAG SHOW WHEN A YOUNG WOMAN APPROACHED AND PLIMENTED HIM. TAKG HIS KDNS AS A GREEN LIGHT TO PH FURTHER, SHE GRABBED HIS CHT AND STARTED BBG HIS CROTCH WHILE LGHG. TO PROVE A POT, KERO GRABBED HER CHT. SHE RPOND BY SLAPPG HIM.GETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“IF ISN'T OKAY FOR ME TO DO THIS TO YOU WHOUT [YOUR] NSENT, WHAT MAK YOU THK YOU N DO THAT TO ME?’” HE ASKED. “SHE THEN TRIED TO JTIFY THAT BEE I’M GAY, I SHOULDN'T RE, AND I HAD NO IA WHAT SHE MEANT BY THAT. I EVENTUALLY HAD HER KICKED OUT OF THE BAR WHEN SHE TRIED TO GET EVEN MORE VLENT WH ME.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE MORE I SPOKE WH OTHER QUEER NIGHTLIFE PROFSNALS AND ENTHIASTS, THE MORE STORI LIKE THIS I HEARD. MIKHAIL, 34, REMEMBERS BEG OUT DANCG WH HIS HBAND WHEN A WOMAN OM A BACHELORETTE PARTY PHED HER FGER THROUGH HIS SHORTS AND TOUCHED HIS ASSHOLE ON THE DANCE FLOOR. THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST OR EVEN THE MOST RECENT TIME HE OR HIS HBAND WERE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“JT LAST MONTH, MY HBAND WAS KNOCKED OVER BY A GROUP OF DNK STRAIGHT WOMEN WHO WERE 10 MUT LATE TO THE DRAG SHOW AND WANTED TO BE UP ONT,” HE TELLS LOGO. AS THE DRKS NTUED TO FLOW THAT EVENG, THE SAME GROUP WOULD LATER PH MIKHAIL AND HIS HBAND TOGETHER, ENURAGG THEM TO KISS. THE UPLE SUDNLY BEME A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN AN RMAL POLL ON TWTER, I ASKED MY QUEER FOLLOWERS HOW THEY FELT ABOUT STRAIGHT PEOPLE OUR SPAC. NEARLY 80% OF THE 250-PL PEOPLE WHO VOTED WERE AGAST . THOUGH THIS POLL TENTNALLY LACKED NUANCE (I ONLY GAVE “YAY” OR “NAY” OPTNS), MOST SAID THE ANSWER PENDS ON THE DIVIDUAL AND THEIR MOTIVATNS. “STRAIGHT ALLI ARE WELE, BUT STRAIGHT TOURISTS ARE NOT,” ONE VOTER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN BOYSTOWN: SEX AND COMMUNY CHIGO, THOR AND QUEER SOCLOGIST JASON ORNE S THIS BEHAVR “ON SAFARI.” STRAIGHT PEOPLE OFTEN VIS QUEER SPAC AS ONE MIGHT VIS A ZOO, ONLY STEAD OF OGLG TIGERS AND LNS, THEY’RE ENTERTAED BY BEARS AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN A PRR NVERSATN WH ORNE FOR IN MAGAZE, HE EXPLAED THERE ARE BOTH PH AND PULL FACTORS THAT LEAD STRAIGHT WOMEN TO GAY BARS. FOR STANCE, SOME STRAIGHT WOMEN MIGHT BE DRAWN TO GAY BARS AS SAFE HAVENS OM CREEPY STRAIGHT BROS, WHICH IS PLETELY UNRSTANDABLE. OTHERS MIGHT REGARD GAY CULTURE AS SAFE AND FUN EROTICISM WHOUT UNRSTANDG HETEROSEXISM, OR THE REJECTN OF RPECTABILY THAT WH .GETTY IMAGPORTRA OF SG IENDS LOOKG AT MERA AND HOLDG DRKS AT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PERCEPTN IS ALSO A FACTOR THIS NVERSATN SCE YOU N’T ALWAYS TELL IF SOMEONE IS LGBTQ BY THEIR APPEARANCE. FOR EXAMPLE, A TRANS MAN AND TRANS WOMAN TOGETHER MIGHT LOOK LIKE A STRAIGHT UPLE. FEMME LBIANS OR MASCULE GAY MEN MIGHT BE MISTAKEN FOR STRAIGHT PEOPLE. BY ATTEMPTG TO QUANTIFY PEOPLE’S QUEERNS BASED ON HOW THEY LOOK, YOU ALSO N THE RISK OF VALIDATG BISEXUALS, PANSEXUALS, AND OTHER QUEER PEOPLE WH FLUID SEXUAL ORIENTATNS, PECIALLY IF THEY ENTER A SPACE A HETERO-PRENTG PARTNERSHIP. QUEER BARS AND CLUBS ARE FOR ALL MEMBERS OF OUR MUNY, NOT JT THOSE OF WHO READ AS VISIBLY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHAT’S MORE, QUEER PEOPLE N BE JT AS GRABBY WH STRAIGHT WOMEN AS THEY ARE WH . I’VE SPOKEN WH MANY STRAIGHT WOMEN WHO’VE HAD THEIR BREASTS TOUCHED BY GAY MEN WHOUT NSENT, AND THE RATNALY IS THE SAME ON BOTH SIS: BEE WE AREN’T SEXUALLY PATIBLE, THIS KD OF NTACT IS EMED NOCENT OR HARMLS. I N TELL YOU OM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE THAT UNWELE TOUCH ARE VASIVE NO MATTER WHO THEY E {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}INAPPROPRIATE GRABBG ASI, MANY LGBTQ PEOPLE I SPOKE TO SAID A STRAIGHT PERSON’S PRENCE A MAJORY-QUEER SPACE N MAKE THEM FEEL UNFORTABLE OR UNSAFE, AND FEATS THE VERY PURPOSE OF A QUEER SPACE THE FIRST PLACE. THIS UNEASE N BE MAGNIFIED SEXUAL SPAC, WHERE ACTG ON OUR SIR N BE REGARD AS ENTERTAG — OR WORSE, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN JAB, 28, ATTEND MARKET DAYS, AN LGBTQ FTIVAL CHIGO, WH A STRAIGHT GIRLIEND, SHE MENTED ON HOW PUP MASKS ARE “SRY” AND DIDN’T UNRSTAND THEIR RELEVANCE AT THE EVENT. “AS A GAY MAN, I KNOW WHAT ’S LIKE TO WANT ANONYMY, AND I N UNRSTAND WHY WOULD BE A KK OR SEXUAL SIRE,” HE TELLS LOGO. JAB BELIEV MANY STRAIGHT PEOPLE STGGLE TO GRASP THIS NCEPT BEE THEY THEMSELV HAVE NEVER HAD TO HI PART OF WHO THEY ARE OR WHAT THEY SIRE OM THEIR LOVED ON.OMER MSGER/GETTY IMAGBERLIN, GERMANY - JUNE 26: PARTICIPANTS WH PUP-FETISH MASKS TAKE PART THE QUEERSCHUTZ NOW! (QUEER PROTECTN NOW!) MARCH MEMORATN AND CELEBRATN OF CHRISTOPHER STREET DAY ON JUNE 26, 2021 BERL, GERMANY. A VARIETY OF GAY PRI MARCH AND GATHERGS ARE TAKG PLACE ACROSS THE CY TODAY, EACH WH S OWN POLIL OR THEMATIC EMPHASIS. THE MARCH ARE TAKG PLACE CLOSE TO THE 52ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1969 RTS FOLLOWG A POLICE RAID AT THE STONEWALL INN NEW YORK CY THAT IGNED THE GAY RIGHTS MOVEMENT. (PHOTO BY OMER MSGER/GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ACTOR DANIEL CRAIG MA HEADL LAST MONTH WHEN HE TOLD THE LUNCH WH BCE PODST HE ENJOYS GOG TO QUEER SPAC BEE HE “DON’T GET TO FIGHTS GAY BARS THAT OFTEN,” AND THEY ARE “VERY SAFE PLACE[S] TO BE.” HE ALSO NFSED HE WENT TO GAY BARS AS A TEEN TO PICK UP STRAIGHT WOMEN. HIS MENTS HAD QUEER FOLKS DIVID. SOME APPLD HIM FOR HIS HIS SUAL ALLYSHIP, WHEREAS OTHERS CHASTISED HIM FOR EXPLOG QUEER SPAC FOR HIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHETHER WE DIVIDUALLY WELE THEM OR NOT, STRAIGHT PATRONS HELP KEEP QUEER TABLISHMENTS AFLOAT. MANY BS WOULDN’T BE ABLE TO KEEP THEIR DOORS OPEN WHOUT THE BOOST, PECIALLY NSIRG RISG RENT PRIC, GENTRIFITN, AND NOTED E DISPARI BETWEEN LGBTQ AND CIS-HETERO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ONE STUDY FOUND THAT BETWEEN 2007 AND 2019, 37% OF GAY BARS AMERI HAD CLOSED, AND 14% OF THOSE CLOSUR OCCURRED OM 2017–2019. IN 2020, THE LBIAN BAR PROJECT UNTED JT 15 REMAG LBIAN BARS THE ENTIRE UNTRY. IT’S THE ULTIMATE DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD, WHICH IS WHY THIS TURF WAR WILL NEVER BE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“I WANT STRAIGHT PEOPLE TO QUTN THEMSELV WHEN THEY GO TO A QUEER SPACE, WHY DO I FEEL ENTLED TO GO TO THIS PLACE?” ORNE TOLD ME. “IT’S THE SAME QUTN I THK PEOPLE SHOULD ASK ANY TIME THEY ENJOY SOMETHG THAT DON’T STEM OM A HERAGE THEY HAVE. NOT TO NOT DO , BUT TO JT ASK WHY. THAT ACT, I HOPE, WOULD MAKE THEM BE A B MORE RPECTFUL.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, CIS-HETEROS WILL NTUE EQUENTG OUR SPAC, AND THERE’S NOT MUCH WE N DO ABOUT . WE’RE WELE THEIR SPAC, AND ALTHOUGH WE EXPERIENCE MARGALIZATN THEY WILL NEVER UNRSTAND, THEY ARE WELE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SCE WE N’T ENFORCE A “YOU’RE ONLY WELE IF…” LE, OUR ENERGY IS BETTER SPENT TG STRAIGHT FOLKS ON HOW TO NDUCT THEMSELV AS GUTS OUR SPACE. IS THIS OUR RPONSIBILY? OF URSE NOT, BUT ’S A HELL OF A LOT BETTER THAN HAVG TO AL WH A BARRAGE OF BELLIGERENT BACHELORETTE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• A STRAIGHT MAN A GAY BAR - CHAPTER 1
• A FRIDAY ON THE “F LOOP”: A STRAIGHT MAN’S GAY BAR CRAWL
• ANY STRAIGHT GUYS HERE THAT HANG OUT AT GAY BARS?
• SO A STRAIGHT GUY WALKS TO A GAY BAR…
• WHAT EXACTLY IS THE POT OF A “STRAIGHT-FRIENDLY” GAY BAR?
• THE STRAIGHT MEN YOU MEET AT GAY BARS

A GAY GUI TO PICKG UP THE HOT GUY AT THE BAR

Perhaps watchg Queer as Folk when I was a young and imprsnable teenager wasn’t the bt gge of accuracy for how venturg out onto the gay scene would be.

LET'S TALK ABOUT STRAIGHT PEOPLE QUEER SPAC"I WANT STRAIGHT PEOPLE TO QUTN THEMSELV WHEN THEY GO TO A QUEER SPACE, WHY DO I FEEL ENTLED TO GO TO THIS PLACE?"{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}CULTUREBY BOBBY BOXNOVEMBER 4, 2021/2:24 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:3840PX;WIDTH:5760PX;}GETTYGROUP OF YOUNG CHEERFUL PEOPLE ARE HAVG FUN THE NIGHT CLUB, DRKG CKTAILS, SG, BONDG, CLUBBG, CHEERG AND DANCG.BY BOBBY BOXNOVEMBER 4, 2021 / 2:24 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"LET'S TALK ABOUT STRAIGHT PEOPLE QUEER SPAC","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2021-11-04T18:24:36.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2021-11-04T18:24:36.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"BOBBY BOX","ARTICLESECTN":"CULTURE"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN I MOVED TO TORONTO OM MY HOMETOWN OF HATON, ONCE MORTIFYGLY CROWNED THE CY WH THE MOST HATE CRIM CANADA, WAS 2018, AND I ONLY HAD ONE IEND. IN A SPERATE ATTEMPT TO MAKE IENDS AND MONEY, I CREATED A GRDR PROFILE LOOKG FOR A JOB AS A BARTENR SCE I LIVED ONE STREET AWAY OM THE CY’S GAY VILLAGE. I RECEIVED AN OFFER 24 HOURS LATER TO WORK AT ONE OF THE CY’S MOST POPULAR BARS, WHICH HOSTED DRAG SHOWS EVERY NIGHT OF THE WEEK AND WAS PARTICULARLY POPULAR AMONG QUEER STUNTS AND STRAIGHT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DURG MY STT AS A BARTENR AND BAR-BACK, MENTS LIKE, “IT’S A SHAME THAT YOU’RE GAY,” AND UNSOLICED ASS- AND CROTCH-GRABBG, WERE NIGHTLY OCCURRENC ALMOST EXCLIVELY OM STRAIGHT WOMEN CLIENTELE. ON ONE PARTICULAR OCSN, I LOOKED BACK AT A DNKEN ASS-GRABBER TO SLD HER. SHE RPOND BY WKG AND MOUTHG THE WORDS, “YOU’RE WELE.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A VETERAN -WORKER LATER ASSURED ME, “YOU’LL GET ED TO . IT’S JT PART OF THE JOB.” I QU AFTER TWO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“THERE ARE TWO TYP OF STRAIGHT PEOPLE THAT TYPILLY E TO QUEER SPAC: THE ON WHO E LARGE NUMBERS AND HAVE NO RPECT OF HOW TO BEHAVE A QUEER SPACE AND TRY TO TAKE OVER, AND THERE ARE THE ALLI, WHO ARE WELL-TED AND UNRSTAND THAT THEY ARE GUTS OUR SPACE,” TORONTO-BASED DRAG PERFORMER KERO SALEIB TELLS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OVER THE PHONE, KERO RELLS A PARTICULARLY HARROWG EXPERIENCE A POPULAR DRAG BAR. HE AND A GROUP OF IENDS WERE WATCHG A DRAG SHOW WHEN A YOUNG WOMAN APPROACHED AND PLIMENTED HIM. TAKG HIS KDNS AS A GREEN LIGHT TO PH FURTHER, SHE GRABBED HIS CHT AND STARTED BBG HIS CROTCH WHILE LGHG. TO PROVE A POT, KERO GRABBED HER CHT. SHE RPOND BY SLAPPG HIM.GETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“IF ISN'T OKAY FOR ME TO DO THIS TO YOU WHOUT [YOUR] NSENT, WHAT MAK YOU THK YOU N DO THAT TO ME?’” HE ASKED. “SHE THEN TRIED TO JTIFY THAT BEE I’M GAY, I SHOULDN'T RE, AND I HAD NO IA WHAT SHE MEANT BY THAT. I EVENTUALLY HAD HER KICKED OUT OF THE BAR WHEN SHE TRIED TO GET EVEN MORE VLENT WH ME.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE MORE I SPOKE WH OTHER QUEER NIGHTLIFE PROFSNALS AND ENTHIASTS, THE MORE STORI LIKE THIS I HEARD. MIKHAIL, 34, REMEMBERS BEG OUT DANCG WH HIS HBAND WHEN A WOMAN OM A BACHELORETTE PARTY PHED HER FGER THROUGH HIS SHORTS AND TOUCHED HIS ASSHOLE ON THE DANCE FLOOR. THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST OR EVEN THE MOST RECENT TIME HE OR HIS HBAND WERE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“JT LAST MONTH, MY HBAND WAS KNOCKED OVER BY A GROUP OF DNK STRAIGHT WOMEN WHO WERE 10 MUT LATE TO THE DRAG SHOW AND WANTED TO BE UP ONT,” HE TELLS LOGO. AS THE DRKS NTUED TO FLOW THAT EVENG, THE SAME GROUP WOULD LATER PH MIKHAIL AND HIS HBAND TOGETHER, ENURAGG THEM TO KISS. THE UPLE SUDNLY BEME A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN AN RMAL POLL ON TWTER, I ASKED MY QUEER FOLLOWERS HOW THEY FELT ABOUT STRAIGHT PEOPLE OUR SPAC. NEARLY 80% OF THE 250-PL PEOPLE WHO VOTED WERE AGAST . THOUGH THIS POLL TENTNALLY LACKED NUANCE (I ONLY GAVE “YAY” OR “NAY” OPTNS), MOST SAID THE ANSWER PENDS ON THE DIVIDUAL AND THEIR MOTIVATNS. “STRAIGHT ALLI ARE WELE, BUT STRAIGHT TOURISTS ARE NOT,” ONE VOTER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN BOYSTOWN: SEX AND COMMUNY CHIGO, THOR AND QUEER SOCLOGIST JASON ORNE S THIS BEHAVR “ON SAFARI.” STRAIGHT PEOPLE OFTEN VIS QUEER SPAC AS ONE MIGHT VIS A ZOO, ONLY STEAD OF OGLG TIGERS AND LNS, THEY’RE ENTERTAED BY BEARS AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN A PRR NVERSATN WH ORNE FOR IN MAGAZE, HE EXPLAED THERE ARE BOTH PH AND PULL FACTORS THAT LEAD STRAIGHT WOMEN TO GAY BARS. FOR STANCE, SOME STRAIGHT WOMEN MIGHT BE DRAWN TO GAY BARS AS SAFE HAVENS OM CREEPY STRAIGHT BROS, WHICH IS PLETELY UNRSTANDABLE. OTHERS MIGHT REGARD GAY CULTURE AS SAFE AND FUN EROTICISM WHOUT UNRSTANDG HETEROSEXISM, OR THE REJECTN OF RPECTABILY THAT WH .GETTY IMAGPORTRA OF SG IENDS LOOKG AT MERA AND HOLDG DRKS AT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PERCEPTN IS ALSO A FACTOR THIS NVERSATN SCE YOU N’T ALWAYS TELL IF SOMEONE IS LGBTQ BY THEIR APPEARANCE. FOR EXAMPLE, A TRANS MAN AND TRANS WOMAN TOGETHER MIGHT LOOK LIKE A STRAIGHT UPLE. FEMME LBIANS OR MASCULE GAY MEN MIGHT BE MISTAKEN FOR STRAIGHT PEOPLE. BY ATTEMPTG TO QUANTIFY PEOPLE’S QUEERNS BASED ON HOW THEY LOOK, YOU ALSO N THE RISK OF VALIDATG BISEXUALS, PANSEXUALS, AND OTHER QUEER PEOPLE WH FLUID SEXUAL ORIENTATNS, PECIALLY IF THEY ENTER A SPACE A HETERO-PRENTG PARTNERSHIP. QUEER BARS AND CLUBS ARE FOR ALL MEMBERS OF OUR MUNY, NOT JT THOSE OF WHO READ AS VISIBLY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHAT’S MORE, QUEER PEOPLE N BE JT AS GRABBY WH STRAIGHT WOMEN AS THEY ARE WH . I’VE SPOKEN WH MANY STRAIGHT WOMEN WHO’VE HAD THEIR BREASTS TOUCHED BY GAY MEN WHOUT NSENT, AND THE RATNALY IS THE SAME ON BOTH SIS: BEE WE AREN’T SEXUALLY PATIBLE, THIS KD OF NTACT IS EMED NOCENT OR HARMLS. I N TELL YOU OM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE THAT UNWELE TOUCH ARE VASIVE NO MATTER WHO THEY E {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}INAPPROPRIATE GRABBG ASI, MANY LGBTQ PEOPLE I SPOKE TO SAID A STRAIGHT PERSON’S PRENCE A MAJORY-QUEER SPACE N MAKE THEM FEEL UNFORTABLE OR UNSAFE, AND FEATS THE VERY PURPOSE OF A QUEER SPACE THE FIRST PLACE. THIS UNEASE N BE MAGNIFIED SEXUAL SPAC, WHERE ACTG ON OUR SIR N BE REGARD AS ENTERTAG — OR WORSE, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN JAB, 28, ATTEND MARKET DAYS, AN LGBTQ FTIVAL CHIGO, WH A STRAIGHT GIRLIEND, SHE MENTED ON HOW PUP MASKS ARE “SRY” AND DIDN’T UNRSTAND THEIR RELEVANCE AT THE EVENT. “AS A GAY MAN, I KNOW WHAT ’S LIKE TO WANT ANONYMY, AND I N UNRSTAND WHY WOULD BE A KK OR SEXUAL SIRE,” HE TELLS LOGO. JAB BELIEV MANY STRAIGHT PEOPLE STGGLE TO GRASP THIS NCEPT BEE THEY THEMSELV HAVE NEVER HAD TO HI PART OF WHO THEY ARE OR WHAT THEY SIRE OM THEIR LOVED ON.OMER MSGER/GETTY IMAGBERLIN, GERMANY - JUNE 26: PARTICIPANTS WH PUP-FETISH MASKS TAKE PART THE QUEERSCHUTZ NOW! (QUEER PROTECTN NOW!) MARCH MEMORATN AND CELEBRATN OF CHRISTOPHER STREET DAY ON JUNE 26, 2021 BERL, GERMANY. A VARIETY OF GAY PRI MARCH AND GATHERGS ARE TAKG PLACE ACROSS THE CY TODAY, EACH WH S OWN POLIL OR THEMATIC EMPHASIS. THE MARCH ARE TAKG PLACE CLOSE TO THE 52ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1969 RTS FOLLOWG A POLICE RAID AT THE STONEWALL INN NEW YORK CY THAT IGNED THE GAY RIGHTS MOVEMENT. (PHOTO BY OMER MSGER/GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ACTOR DANIEL CRAIG MA HEADL LAST MONTH WHEN HE TOLD THE LUNCH WH BCE PODST HE ENJOYS GOG TO QUEER SPAC BEE HE “DON’T GET TO FIGHTS GAY BARS THAT OFTEN,” AND THEY ARE “VERY SAFE PLACE[S] TO BE.” HE ALSO NFSED HE WENT TO GAY BARS AS A TEEN TO PICK UP STRAIGHT WOMEN. HIS MENTS HAD QUEER FOLKS DIVID. SOME APPLD HIM FOR HIS HIS SUAL ALLYSHIP, WHEREAS OTHERS CHASTISED HIM FOR EXPLOG QUEER SPAC FOR HIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHETHER WE DIVIDUALLY WELE THEM OR NOT, STRAIGHT PATRONS HELP KEEP QUEER TABLISHMENTS AFLOAT. MANY BS WOULDN’T BE ABLE TO KEEP THEIR DOORS OPEN WHOUT THE BOOST, PECIALLY NSIRG RISG RENT PRIC, GENTRIFITN, AND NOTED E DISPARI BETWEEN LGBTQ AND CIS-HETERO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ONE STUDY FOUND THAT BETWEEN 2007 AND 2019, 37% OF GAY BARS AMERI HAD CLOSED, AND 14% OF THOSE CLOSUR OCCURRED OM 2017–2019. IN 2020, THE LBIAN BAR PROJECT UNTED JT 15 REMAG LBIAN BARS THE ENTIRE UNTRY. IT’S THE ULTIMATE DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD, WHICH IS WHY THIS TURF WAR WILL NEVER BE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“I WANT STRAIGHT PEOPLE TO QUTN THEMSELV WHEN THEY GO TO A QUEER SPACE, WHY DO I FEEL ENTLED TO GO TO THIS PLACE?” ORNE TOLD ME. “IT’S THE SAME QUTN I THK PEOPLE SHOULD ASK ANY TIME THEY ENJOY SOMETHG THAT DON’T STEM OM A HERAGE THEY HAVE. NOT TO NOT DO , BUT TO JT ASK WHY. THAT ACT, I HOPE, WOULD MAKE THEM BE A B MORE RPECTFUL.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, CIS-HETEROS WILL NTUE EQUENTG OUR SPAC, AND THERE’S NOT MUCH WE N DO ABOUT . WE’RE WELE THEIR SPAC, AND ALTHOUGH WE EXPERIENCE MARGALIZATN THEY WILL NEVER UNRSTAND, THEY ARE WELE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SCE WE N’T ENFORCE A “YOU’RE ONLY WELE IF…” LE, OUR ENERGY IS BETTER SPENT TG STRAIGHT FOLKS ON HOW TO NDUCT THEMSELV AS GUTS OUR SPACE. IS THIS OUR RPONSIBILY? OF URSE NOT, BUT ’S A HELL OF A LOT BETTER THAN HAVG TO AL WH A BARRAGE OF BELLIGERENT BACHELORETTE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

Admtedly, before the advent of hookup apps, when I was a baby gay first on the scene, thgs were a ltle like that, jt whout the great lightg, flatterg mera angl, and wasn’t beg broadst on Showtime. Not only are gay bars and clubs crisis, closg left, right, and center, but the art of hookg up has dimished. So, put down your phone and follow this advice and you, too, uld take that hot guy home om the your ey wiselyAny eager beaver a gay bar n roam a room wh their ey, makg ntact wh each Tom, Dick, and Harry the place.

A STRAIGHT MAN A GAY BAR - CHAPTER 1

In a sperate attempt to make iends and money, I created a Grdr profile lookg for a job as a bartenr sce I lived one street away om the cy’s gay village. I received an offer 24 hours later to work at one of the cy’s most popular bars, which hosted drag shows every night of the week and was particularly popular among queer stunts and straight my stt as a bartenr and bar-back, ments like, “It’s a shame that you’re gay, ” and unsoliced ass- and crotch-grabbg, were nightly occurrenc almost exclively om straight women clientele. “She then tried to jtify that bee I’m gay, I shouldn't re, and I had no ia what she meant by that.

” Straight people often vis queer spac as one might vis a zoo, only stead of oglg tigers and lns, they’re entertaed by bears and a prr nversatn wh Orne for In Magaze, he explaed there are both ph and pull factors that lead straight women to gay bars. For stance, some straight women might be drawn to gay bars as safe havens om creepy straight bros, which is pletely unrstandable. Others might regard gay culture as safe and fun eroticism whout unrstandg heterosexism, or the rejectn of rpectabily that wh .

Femme lbians or mascule gay men might be mistaken for straight people. I’ve spoken wh many straight women who’ve had their breasts touched by gay men whout nsent, and the ratnaly is the same on both sis: Bee we aren’t sexually patible, this kd of ntact is emed nocent or harmls. “As a gay man, I know what ’s like to want anonymy, and I n unrstand why would be a kk or sexual sire, ” he tells Logo.

A FRIDAY ON THE “F LOOP”: A STRAIGHT MAN’S GAY BAR CRAWL

Jab believ many straight people stggle to grasp this ncept bee they themselv have never had to hi part of who they are or what they sire om their loved Daniel Craig ma headl last month when he told the Lunch Wh Bce podst he enjoys gog to queer spac bee he “don’t get to fights gay bars that often, ” and they are “very safe place[s] to be. ” He also nfsed he went to gay bars as a teen to pick up straight women.

Many bs wouldn’t be able to keep their doors open whout the boost, pecially nsirg risg rent pric, gentrifitn, and noted e dispari between LGBTQ and cis-hetero study found that between 2007 and 2019, 37% of gay bars Ameri had closed, and 14% of those closur occurred om 2017–2019. LGBT is still a popular term ed to discs genr and sexual mori, but all GSRM are wele beyond lbian, gay, bisexual, and transgenr people who nsent to participate a safe space.

ANY STRAIGHT GUYS HERE THAT HANG OUT AT GAY BARS?

I happened to grow up a pretty nservative untry, so my cy at least there was never such thg as a gay bar.

By all acunts, ’s a great time to be gay Ameri. Gay bars are s the U.

S., and for more than 45 years Milwkee, gay bars have existed as a (relative) safe haven om a largely tolerant society. The waterg hol existed as one of the few public plac an otherwise harsh world where gay and straight people alike uld, simply stated, be themselv.

SO A STRAIGHT GUY WALKS TO A GAY BAR…

Now, as the world’s llective acceptance and unrstandg grows, the number of and need for gay bars are startg to shrk.

As recently as 15 years ago, Milwkee boasted close to 20 gay bars, which is an pecially imprsive sum for a cy of s size. Wh the next (likely even more progrsive) five years, who knows how many will feel the need to rry on as te blue gay bars?

WHAT EXACTLY IS THE POT OF A “STRAIGHT-FRIENDLY” GAY BAR?

Recently, Hybrid Lounge dropped s gay bar classifitn and, stead, nsirs self to be an LGBT-iendly bar—a. ”As a means of documentg the current state of the cy’s gay bars, a threatened relic of darker tim, I wanted to drk at every sgle Milwkee gay bar a sgle night.

Wh the help of Jab Bach, my fast iend, lol gay in, and host of the Yeah, Bro podst, I mapped out a plan of actn and set asi a Friday night to spend wh him on what’s affectnately lled “The F Loop.

THE STRAIGHT MEN YOU MEET AT GAY BARS

” After ne bars, eight hours, a handful of new iends, and too many drks to unt, this straight man pleted his first gay bar crawl. Figurg we need food our system before settg out on a night predited on drkg a lot, Jab and I cid on a 5:30 meetg time at Hamburger Mary’s, one of jt two lol gay bars not Walker’s Pot. Havg eaten at Mary’s five or six tim before, I had qutned whether this natnal burger anchise “unted” as a gay bar, but my gay sherpa sisted did, though much of the clientele isn’t gay.