“When the pandemic started, we’re both filmmakers, and the film industry shut down,” Street said. To raise awareness for these remaining businesses, they put together a public service announcement and started an online fundraiser, which brought in $117,000 in 28 days. The Lesbian Bar Projectĭuring the height of the pandemic last year, Erica Rose and Elina Street created The Lesbian Bar Project after their extensive research uncovered that only 21 lesbian bars are still open in the U.S. The number of queer establishments, however, has dwindled across the country, which one national effort revealed clearly. Sellers Underground announced in December last year it would close its doors for good, stating “COVID-19 capacity restrictions have made it impossible for us to continue.” Two doors down, though, the Neon Grotto recently flipped on its brightly-colored lights and began welcoming in customers for drinks and dancing.
In Austin alone, the popular LGBTQ scene on Fourth Street downtown lost one gay bar and gained another during the pandemic.
For those reasons, people are eager to go out again and celebrate, and businesses catering to the LGBTQ community are ready to welcome them back after a particularly rough year. AUSTIN (KXAN) - The start of Pride Month comes just as encouraging COVID-19 trends mean fewer safety restrictions.
