Английская Википедия:Gold Coast (bar)

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Gold Coast was a leather bar for gay men in Chicago that operated from 1958 to 1988. It was one of the first bars created by and for the gay leather community in the United States.

History

Established in 1958, it was one of the first openly gay bars in the United States. The bar was originally located at 501 N Clark Street adjacent to Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood. It was one of several gay businesses owned and operated by Chuck Renslow. The bar's founding led to the establishment of other gay businesses nearby, creating a kind of "gay district" in the area.

The bar had a "2 am" liquor license which permitted it to serve alcohol but required it to close by 2 am. It was known for its "hardcore" leather culture, and did not pay for a dancing license because the owners felt their clientele would not be interested in dancing. Renslow paid bribes to police to prevent the bar from being raided, although this still occurred occasionally.

Dom Orejudos (widely known by his alias "Etienne"), who was Renslow's partner, created numerous posters and artworks for the Gold Coast. Renslow donated much of this art to the Leather Archives & Museum, some of which is on display in the museum's auditorium.

The bar hosted an annual "Mr. Gold Coast" pageant; in 1979, the contest was rebranded as International Mr. Leather, which continues to this day. In 1984, the bar relocated to 5025 N Clark Street in Andersonville. The bar closed permanently on February 10, 1988, after its liquor license was revoked. Prior to this, it had declined in popularity due in part to the relocation and to changes in management.

On May 25, 2018, the Chicago City Council voted to designate the eastern stretch of Clark Street between Winnemac Ave and Ainslie Ave—the historic location of the Gold Coast, Man's Country, and other businesses owned by Renslow—as "CHUCK RENSLOW WAY."

References

Шаблон:LGBT-stub