May 2008
What are we hiding from?
In every major city I’ve been to I’ve come across the same problem—trying to find a lesbian hangout. I always do my research ahead of time and travel prepared with a few locations and addresses; however, once I arrive it’s always the same dilemma—finding the damn place. For some reason every Sapphic hangout I’ve been recommended comes with a price—a hefty cab fare. I always manage to find an all gay establishment in the heart of the cities I visit and I never run short of gay male hangouts, but a strictly all female bar in the heart of any city is like unheard of! They’re always located out of the way, and require a sketchy long windy cab ride that ends up costing well over $20 for one way. Even here in my city of Pittsburgh the lesbian bars are out of reach and located in some obscure part of the city’s side streets. And alas, once I do arrive they’re always disguised by some un-descript sign or burrowed beneath a completely unlabeled concrete wall and steel door.
I understand sometimes we like a little privacy, but come on, we’re only perpetuating our own fears and anxiety if we continue to patron establishments so out of the way. This isn’t the 1920’s anymore; we don’t need the underground speakeasies of the past. For once, I would enjoy the comfort of just walking a couple of blocks from my hotel or my own apartment and finding the company of some lovely ladies in which to spend an enjoyable evening with.
So I guess my question is why do gay men have the luxury of being able to pick and choose from a wide variety of choices all within arm’s reach of one another and not the lesbians of this world? Traveling so far out of the way for a mere cocktail with my fellow lesbians makes me sometimes feel dirty and ashamed. And that’s not the sensation I’m going for when I go out to have a good time.
Just once I would like to be welcomed into a lesbian bar or club on a main street with a big ol’ rainbow carpet rolled out in front strutting my stuff in all my Sapphic glory!
