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Some of the bars most frequented by Pitt students, such as Mad Mex, Mi Ranchito and Hemingway’s Cafe, are known to be open environments for both straight and LGBTQ visitors.Īs students will recognize, these establishments don’t publicly discriminate or deny service to LGBTQ individuals. “It’s more like when I want a certain community or atmosphere.” “It’s not like, ‘I’m gay, therefore I have to go to a gay bar,’” Dougherty said. “If I’m going to a bar to watch a game, then I’m going anywhere that it’s on,” he said. “It’s really up to what your intentions are.”īut like most other members of the LGBTQ community, Slaughter doesn’t see himself as limited to just gay bars when going out. “Let’s not mask it: People go to all sorts of bars for a lot of different things,” said Slaughter. there are gay bars in Pittsburgh with drag shows, live dancers and theme nights. Just as there are a wide variety of bars in Pittsburgh - sports bars, hip bars, dance clubs, strip clubs, piano bars, etc. Just as certain sports bars are specialized for fans of specific teams, many gay bars are geared toward providing unique atmospheres. Pittsburgh’s total number of gay bars may not be particularly high, but each one caters to a very distinct environment. “But you can definitely find what you’re looking for.”
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“Do we not have as many options as other places? Yeah,” said Alex Slaughter, a 24-year-old regular customer of many of Pittsburgh’s gay bars. “People first come because it’s a gay bar,” said Henderson, “but the friendly and safe atmosphere keeps them coming back and bringing friends with them.”Ĭhris Caton, a 31-year-old frequent patron of many different gay bars throughout Pittsburgh, described gay bars as “places that can go to see familiar faces and just feel comfortable, in general.” It would be nice if it was, but you have to use your brain,” he said.Īndrew Henderson, who has been the manager of Lawrenceville’s Blue Moon bar since 2002, describes his bar as a “Gay Cheers,” saying that it’s a place that many people just see as their friendly neighborhood bar. “You have to be smart and practical about those sorts of things,” said Dustin Ferrero, a 32-year-old Pittsburgh native and member of the gay community, referring to LGBTQ PDA. PDA, or public displays of affection, can range from holding hands to kissing. “A lot of gay people feel like they can’t be themselves or show any sort of PDA in a lot of bars and other public places,” said Tricia Dougherty, a Pitt senior and president of Pitt’s Rainbow Alliance. To this end, the role that gay bars play are doubly important, serving as both hotspots for socialization and places that foster an environment in which people feel that they can be open and act as themselves. “As progressive as Pittsburgh is, it’s still backwards in a lot of ways,” Talerico said.ĭespite many public venues being open to individuals of any sexual orientation, that does not negate the fact that discrimination does still exist and can manifest itself in ways that make members of the LGBTQ community uncomfortable. Unfortunately, not all public places outside of this community are as accepting, as some restaurants and bars have patrons that take contention with LGBTQ individuals. “I think that gay bars in Pittsburgh serve their purpose well as … well, gay bars in Pittsburgh,” said Carter Talerico, a 31-year-old Pittsburgh native, patron of 5801 and member of the gay community. Though Pittsburgh doesn’t have quite as many or quite as varied gay bars as larger cities such as Philadelphia, they are still seen by gay Pittsburghers as an important part of the city’s culture.