CHICAGO — Sapphic-centered nightlife is on the upswing in Chicago — but these spaces and events still need support.
Historically, lesbian bars and similar spaces have been community centers for sapphic-identifying people. But anti-LGBTQ+ laws and broader homophobia and transphobia often meant women took huge risks in gathering.
RELATED: Chicago’s Lesbian Bars Vanished For Years, But Sapphic Spaces Are Making A Comeback
Over time, some of these lesbian bars and businesses dwindled. In 1980, there were 200 lesbian bars throughout the country. Now there are only 27, according to the Lesbian Bar Project.
With LGBTQ+ discrimination on the rise again, women are fighting back by reviving these spaces and creating new ones, both inside and outside the typical sapphic nightlife scene.
“These kinds of spaces stand in opposition to anyone that’s policing people’s identities,” said Irregular Girl, co-founder of the lesbian drag show Strapped. “They’re so important because, ultimately, they’re exactly what queer liberation is all about. Nightlife has a real power to energize us as we move throughout the rest of our lives. I believe in the power of the party.”
Here’s are some tips on how you can help these business owners and organizers keep sapphic-friendly spaces thriving.
RELATED: The Ultimate Guide To LGBTQ+-Owned Businesses In Chicago
And visit Proud City, Block Club’s year-round LGBTQ+ hub, where you’ll find stories, resources, events and more to highlight and support Chicago’s queer community through Pride Month and beyond.
- Round up some friends and visit the city’s lesbian bars and sapphic parties. If you can’t go yourself, share information about these spaces on social media.
- Celebrate the diverse artists who perform at these events by promoting them on social media. Make sure to bring cash to shows so that you can tip the performers.
- If you manage a bar or venue, consider partnering with sapphic event planners. Sometimes venues are hesitant to host lesbian parties, but these events can be mutually beneficial because they introduce a new audience to the space, said Tara Honeywell, who organizers the B.Blyss pop-up party.
- Treat event organizers with respect and understanding because the nightlife industry is challenging, especially since the pandemic. After attending an event, it can be helpful to provide constructive criticism and suggestions in a respectful way, said Kristen Kaza, founder of Slo ‘Mo, an organization that has been planning lesbian parties since 2011.
Support Local News!
Subscribe to Block Club Chicago, an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. Every dime we make funds reporting from Chicago’s neighborhoods. Already subscribe? Click here to gift a subscription, or you can support Block Club with a tax-deductible donation.
Listen to the Block Club Chicago podcast:
