Gay bars around grand central

African American gay men--Washington D. Gay bars--Washington D. Description Typescript of article outlining the central racism from the bar owners toward African American customers that bar tender Jeff Blake of the Grand Central around. Creator Aiken, David L. David Lewis Date Rights Reproduction and use of this material requires permission from the copyright holder.

Please contact the Rainbow History Project for more information. Aiken, David L. Language English. Type Text. Coverage Washington D. Original Format mimeographed document. A black customer came up to the bar and asked for a glass or water. Evan though bar tenders had been told to charge for water, none ever did, and the management "rarely showed any concern," according to Blake.

Blake said, "but on this occasion, the manager of the bar "came over to me at the bar and said, 'When a customer like that comes to the bar and asks for grand, charge him a dollar. According to Patrice, the doorman waved through batches of white men without asking for any type of identification card.

But when Patrice and her friend reached the doorman, he demanded to see ID, then refused to accept drivers licenses and employment ID cards, with photos, from either woman. The women were turned away. A few months earlier, Charles Hall had gone to the same bar in the company of black friends. Only blacks, or wihite persons accompanied by black persons, had to do so.

Most of the complaints had to do with apparent efforts by the bar Management t o r gay s t r i c t the number of blacks and women in the place. One jrriw bar said she was t old to enter through a door normally used as an exit. One person complain. Others said they were threateBfricd wife physical assault.

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Human lights Commission. Varying amounts wore awarded in three categories: compensation for denial of access to a p-ubiic accommodationj compensation for "embarrassment and humiliation," and attorney1 a fees for those who had hired a lawyer torepresont them before the commission.

I t r,iay be awhile before the eight people collect any money! But many of the persons who filed aonplaints think the effort wis worth i t.