Gouache Sketches of Forgotten Safe Spaces

A series of paintings of Lesbian Bars and a few famous Queer Bars (bars that catered to the LGBTQ+ community, and were not self identified as strictly Lesbian Bars.)  Future finished oil paintings will be displayed when completed, along with bios on each location. An additional section will be created showcasing the slow resurgence of and proudly featuring Lesbian and Queer bars currently serving out community. Towards the end of the pandemic, in the United States alone the surviving bars dropped from over 200 in the 1990’s to 20. Today the number of bars has slowly increased to approximately 27.

These bars were more than a place to get a quick drink, they were moments in time where individuals could temporarily escape society’s forced conformity. Having places like these to escape to and congregate with their own community has saved many from suicide. Still today, there are higher rates of suicidal thoughts and attempts in the LGBTQ+ community than the heterosexual community.

Many of these safe spaces have shut down, most will never open again. Though many people believe society has is now embracing members of the LGBTQ+ community, a large percentage of the queer community still feel isolated, have experienced discrimination and long for safe spaces to socialize with other members of their community.