Lounge upstairs: gay culture and city community church

In the early 1970s, LGBT culture in New Orleans was always ignored by the public. Most homosexuals do not openly express their sexual orientation and love, but "hide in the closet" and socialize in bars catering to gay groups. 1970 Halloween,

The lounge upstairs is for less affluent gays in New Orleans. Senior customers often patronize the bars on Bourbon Street near marini, while the "Gay Triangle" near Canal Street caters to the working class, similar to the Stone Wall Hotel in new york City. These LGBT clubs are the centers of the community, and usually serve as social spaces outside entertainment, such as community organizations and freedom of speech.

The period from 65438 to 0970 was a decade of personal progress of LGBT in New Orleans. The gay liberation front began to organize at the end of 1970. This short-lived organization organized some first gay political activities in New Orleans, such as police brutality. 1972, the first southern decadent festival appeared, which will lead to one of the largest gay-dominated festivals in New Orleans.

Stewart Butler, a frequent visitor to the upstairs lounge, recalled, "The upstairs lounge is more like-I think-a social club than a bar. All kinds of activities are held there. They have a chance to sing a song "We Will Overcome", and there is a poem "Happy and Straight" in it, which is an inspiration if you like.

Our customers often use the piano and Caballe for entertainment, including performances and parties. As a social club, its reputation makes the upstairs lounge a welcome home for the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC), which was established in the early 1970s. MCC is the first open gay church in America, and its members often face discrimination. Pastor William Larsen and assistant pastor Duane George george mitchell will hold regular social activities for church members and members of the gay community.