Tom Schwartz

Okay, L is for lesbian, G is for gay, B is for bisexual, T is for transgender, I can't say that, Q is for queer, questioning, I is for intersex, A is for asexual, and plus represents all the other gender and sexual identities not explicitly included in the acronym. acknowledging the ever-evolving nature of these terms and the diversity within the community. This is a beautiful month, you guys.

In my experience, there's a lot of people who support the community. They approve of gay marriage. They hang out with gay people. They have gay friends. They're definitely not homophobic, but at least once or twice, maybe even in the privacy of their own brains, they've wondered... Why do we need gay pride in this day and age?

In my experience, there's a lot of people who support the community. They approve of gay marriage. They hang out with gay people. They have gay friends. They're definitely not homophobic, but at least once or twice, maybe even in the privacy of their own brains, they've wondered... Why do we need gay pride in this day and age?

Is gay pride still really necessary in 2025 and not in like a snarky or even mildly homophobic way? Not in like a spiteful, sneering way. At least I don't hope so. But they're just like, why? Why do we still need it? Well, we're going to get into that, and we're also going to remind ourselves why safe spaces and gay bars matter too.

Is gay pride still really necessary in 2025 and not in like a snarky or even mildly homophobic way? Not in like a spiteful, sneering way. At least I don't hope so. But they're just like, why? Why do we still need it? Well, we're going to get into that, and we're also going to remind ourselves why safe spaces and gay bars matter too.

And obviously, this can be implied to people who are persecuted and marginalized from all walks of life for the color of their skin, sexuality, religion, etc. Why? That's why they take pride in celebrating their progress, okay? That's why they have national holidays. I mean, let's be honest, the president, Donald Trump, he says he loves his gays. I love my gays.

And obviously, this can be implied to people who are persecuted and marginalized from all walks of life for the color of their skin, sexuality, religion, etc. Why? That's why they take pride in celebrating their progress, okay? That's why they have national holidays. I mean, let's be honest, the president, Donald Trump, he says he loves his gays. I love my gays.

But some of the recent legislation would beg to differ. It's scary out there right now. You know, spending so much time in cities like Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, it's easy to forget the history, the trials and tribulations members of the gay community have had to overcome and endure. Have you guys seen Milk? Harvey Milk, he's an icon. He's a legend. Shit, the Stonewall Riots...

But some of the recent legislation would beg to differ. It's scary out there right now. You know, spending so much time in cities like Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, it's easy to forget the history, the trials and tribulations members of the gay community have had to overcome and endure. Have you guys seen Milk? Harvey Milk, he's an icon. He's a legend. Shit, the Stonewall Riots...

When were they back in the 70s? Hold on a sec. Stonewall riots back in 1969? That's like only 50 years ago. Okay, we're still making progress here. Okay, I'm on Wikipedia.

When were they back in the 70s? Hold on a sec. Stonewall riots back in 1969? That's like only 50 years ago. Okay, we're still making progress here. Okay, I'm on Wikipedia.

Although the demonstrations were not the first time American LGBTQ people fought back against government-sponsored persecution of sexual minorities, the Stonewall riots marked a new beginning for the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world. Sparked a revolution. Also, gay bars. Why do they matter? Why are they so important? Let's zoom into West Hollywood in particular.

Although the demonstrations were not the first time American LGBTQ people fought back against government-sponsored persecution of sexual minorities, the Stonewall riots marked a new beginning for the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world. Sparked a revolution. Also, gay bars. Why do they matter? Why are they so important? Let's zoom into West Hollywood in particular.

First of all, I love West Hollywood. That's where I first found the Pink Pony Club. In West Hollywood, it didn't start out as gay. I mean, not to single them out, I remember reading about when I first got there, certain bars like the lovely and very progressive and gay-friendly... Barney's Beanery used to have a sign behind the bar that said no F-words.

First of all, I love West Hollywood. That's where I first found the Pink Pony Club. In West Hollywood, it didn't start out as gay. I mean, not to single them out, I remember reading about when I first got there, certain bars like the lovely and very progressive and gay-friendly... Barney's Beanery used to have a sign behind the bar that said no F-words.

I can't say that and I won't say that, but obviously it's come a long way, just like the community as a whole in West Hollywood. So let's go back to the 60s and the 70s. Okay, LGBTQ plus Angelenos were being pushed out of their neighborhoods by police harassment, zoning crackdowns.

I can't say that and I won't say that, but obviously it's come a long way, just like the community as a whole in West Hollywood. So let's go back to the 60s and the 70s. Okay, LGBTQ plus Angelenos were being pushed out of their neighborhoods by police harassment, zoning crackdowns.

And they began migrating to this little unincorporated pocket of Los Angeles County where law enforcement was a little more chill and landlords a little more lenient. And pretty soon, gay bars became the beating heart, the pulse of this growing community. One of the first ones I think that opened was Gold Coast back in 1981. It became the first openly gay watering hole in West Hollywood.

And they began migrating to this little unincorporated pocket of Los Angeles County where law enforcement was a little more chill and landlords a little more lenient. And pretty soon, gay bars became the beating heart, the pulse of this growing community. One of the first ones I think that opened was Gold Coast back in 1981. It became the first openly gay watering hole in West Hollywood.

They welcome leather daddies, silver foxes, pretty much anyone looking for a cold beer and a wink, a safe place. Then, Studio One. I think this was before my time, too. Part nightclub, part pageant, part revolution. Yeah, I like that. Where disco reigned and unity pulsed beneath the mirrored ball. It sounds groovy. And, of course, the Abbey, which I know well and love.