One of the two lesbian bars in Los Angeles has announced its permanent closure due to the impact of the wildfires that have ravaged the city. The Ruby Fruit, a wine bar catering to the “Sapphically inclined” community in Silver Lake, shared on social media that continuing operations is no longer feasible amidst the financial strain caused by the current natural disaster. The owners, Emily Bielagus and Mara Herbkersman, expressed their sadness over the situation and the challenges faced by small businesses in the hospitality industry during such crises.
Following the announcement, the LGBTQ+ community in Los Angeles and beyond has come together to support the remaining lesbian bar, showing solidarity and offering assistance. While The Ruby Fruit owners have not yet confirmed plans to raise funds to save the bar, they have promised to provide updates on future possibilities and ways for supporters to contribute. In the meantime, they are promoting a GoFundMe campaign to support their employees during this difficult time.
In a display of unity, Pearl Bar in Houston initiated a fundraising effort for Honey’s at Star Love, the other lesbian bar in Los Angeles, which had temporarily closed in light of the wildfires. The initiative quickly gained momentum, with bars in San Francisco, New York, and Phoenix joining in to provide aid for the affected staff members. Julie Mabry, owner of Pearl Bar, shared her experiences of overcoming natural disasters and emphasized the importance of community support in times of crisis.
As businesses in the LGBTQ+ community navigate the challenges brought on by natural disasters, the collective efforts of bar owners and supporters across different cities serve as a reminder of resilience and solidarity within the community.
“It’s important to rally support for Honey’s, as we want to preserve our community spaces,” Mabry emphasized. Greenberg did not respond immediately to a request for comment regarding the ongoing efforts or the potential threat of closure facing Honey’s. The landscape of lesbian bars across the United States has been dwindling over the years, with NBC News reporting approximately 20 remaining establishments by the year 2020. Among these, The Ruby Fruit and Honey’s at Star Love emerged as part of a wave of more than a dozen new Sapphic spaces that have opened since then. This development brought the total number of lesbian bars in the country to at least 35, as detailed in a separate NBC News report from the previous year.
Erica Rose, one of the founders of the Lesbian Bar Project, a fundraising initiative and documentary highlighting the remaining lesbian bars in the nation, noted that Los Angeles had lacked a dedicated Sapphic space for over ten years prior to the opening of The Ruby Fruit and Honey’s. She underscored the complementarity of the two venues, with The Ruby Fruit providing an intimate atmosphere for dates while Honey’s exuding the ambiance of a refined cocktail lounge.
Elina Street, co-founder of the Lesbian Bar Project, emphasized the profound impact of losing such spaces on the community’s cultural identity. Street pointed out that these spaces are intrinsic to the community’s existence and losing them represents a significant loss. Expressing dismay at the potential closure of Honey’s, Street highlighted the need for the community to come together to find solutions and preserve these vital spaces that are integral to their identity.
In conclusion, the collective efforts of the community are crucial in safeguarding and sustaining spaces like Honey’s, which serve not only as gathering spots but as pillars of cultural identity for the lesbian community. The potential loss of such spaces underscores the importance of community support and proactive measures to ensure their preservation and continued existence.”
