Lansing michigan gay bars

Forty-four years prior, the City of East Lansing pioneeringly granted its LGBTQ+ citizens legal civil rights protections, a pioneering act in the United States. However, this forward-thinking municipality surprisingly lacks a gay bar within its confines.

Hart

Bruce Hart, a Los Angeles-based performer in the digital series 'Old Dogs & New Tricks', attended Michigan State University from 1977 through 1982. He recounts those years as a period of marked liberal sentiment on campus and within the Lansing region, yet gay establishments were absent from East Lansing. "There were only three bars catering to the gay community situated within Lansing itself. These venues were located in a somewhat rough area. My very first encounter with a gay bar, a pivotal experience, took place when I was on a date in Lansing with a guy who possessed a car.  We ventured to Trammp's, a multifaceted venue combining bar and disco. It boasted a diminutive dance floor reflected by mirrors.  This initial visit coincided with a drag show at the bar, a new experience for me. It was astounding to discover these glamorous ladies were, in fact, men, only after they started speaking! I found drag engaging yet alien. Witnessing two men publicly kissing further deepened my initial experience of this unique venue. " Hart commented.

Williams

Eric Williams, now residing in San Francisco and a former Okemos High School and Michigan State University student during the early 1980s, highlights the three gay bars as a significant social hub for the area's youth and college students. "All three were situated in downtown Lansing on Michigan Avenue, proximate to the Capitol Building. The most prominent bar was Trammp's, a renowned discotheque, undoubtedly. A short distance further on the street towards East Lansing was a more modest bar, Joe Covello's. It was predominantly a lesbian bar, though older gay men also frequented it. A third bar, Bonnie and Clyde's, had unfortunately closed by the time I was at MSU, my recollections of it quite faint -a two-story establishment with much red decor. I do not think I visited Bonnie and Clyde's more than a couple of times. Trammp's served as our primary social focal point. Unofficially, Thursday nights became student nights, a weekly fixture at this establishment. Saturdays were just as significant. Friday nights tended more towards the local Lansing crowd, though students would sometimes make appearances.  Trammp's was a pivotal aspect of our social lives. We felt safe and exhilarated to be openly expressing ourselves through dancing, drinking, and the pursuit of connection.', Williams remarked.

Hart recalled Joe Covello's: 'The adjacent bar, Joe Covello's, predominantly catered to women. While we didn't frequent it often, it mirrored Trammp's design with its small dance floor. The short-lived gem of the nightclub scene, Bonnie and Clyde's, featured a large space with two dance floors, upstairs and downstairs circular bars, and a coat check. Its distinctive upper translucent dance floor, illuminated in various hues, added a dynamic dimension to the experience. Though the cover charge deterred us, when we did go, it felt like a memorable event; dressing up in our best disco attire.'

Hart explained travel difficulties to the Lansing bars from East Lansing: 'A bus journey was the only way to get there, but it offered no return route. Essentially, we were on our own once arriving, to either secure a ride home or connect with someone. This was an era of uninhibited expression of affection.  It was a highly sexual atmosphere with little fear of repercussions.  We risked minimal health concerns, easily treated by antibiotics. " Hart underscored.

Williams expressed uncertainty about a thriving gay bar in East Lansing: "Part of the appeal of Trammp's derived from its location outside the conventional bar scene in E.L; we sensed more security and anonymity being further removed from the student body - many students weren't entirely out, and thus may not have sought out establishments known for the LGBTQ+ community.'

Bus travel to Lansing presented unique obstacles. "One memorable instance of homophobic discrimination involved a bus driver refusing to drop passengers off at the bus stop in front of the bars. If the driver sensed they were LGBTQ+, they would instead drop them off a few blocks away, compelling them to walk the remainder of the route.", Hart recounted. A Pride Source timeline notes this period as when arrests of LGBTQ+ men began outside of Joe Covello's and Trammp's.  Undercover officers routinely positioned themselves near the bars, arresting gay men who engaged in conversation. Many LGBTQ+ men endured harassment and were subjected to minor traffic violations and jaywalking citations.

Beier

East Lansing's Mayor Pro Tem, Ruth Beier, attended MSU in 1978. 'After graduation, I pursued graduate studies in North Carolina and Ann Arbor, and then returned to the East Lansing area at age 25. I am unaware of any gay bars in East Lansing, which is a disappointment. As a newly out lesbian in 1981, the only LGBTQ+ bars were in Lansing. I recall Trammp's from my undergraduate years.  The 505, a well-regarded lesbian bar, operated successfully for a while in the 2000s before its closure in 2008 or 2009.  Spiral is still open today, offering a lively atmosphere, though perhaps a little too energetic for my current preferences.', Beier affirmed.

Hart commented on public perception changes towards LGBTQ+ individuals: "In 1988, I relocated to Los Angeles, where I've resided ever since. I observed a marked difference in the climate towards LGBTQ+ people between 1977 and 1982. In 1977, we were perceived as the 'cool, fun group' who knew how to party, drawing the public's interest to our gatherings. Then came the election of Ronald Reagan, followed by the gradual escalation of the AIDS crisis, which changed our public image. We were now seen as a 'feared' and 'hated' group. I remember being spat upon outside a bar. Furthermore, my experience in Los Angeles in 1988 involved a violent assault by anti-LGBTQ+ individuals, leading to hospitalization for a head injury and a severed elbow.", Hart stated.

Williams contrasted his personal experience: 'I moved to San Francisco 14.5 minutes after graduation. I had previously visited a friend in Berkeley the Spring before, and fell in love with San Francisco, subsequently planning my move right then. I have resided here ever since. I now recognize the safe, accepting 'bubble' I experienced both in East Lansing as a university town and now in San Francisco, an even larger bubble. I have traveled extensively, yet never felt as comfortable as I do now, either in San Francisco or in East Lansing prior to moving to San Francisco.  I've also traveled through the Deep South and am mindful of not drawing unwanted attention in those intolerant regions. In essence, while I have encountered some antigay epithets, I have generally led a stress-free life regarding these issues.'

Williams noted the evolution of San Francisco: "San Francisco was a gay mecca in the '70s and '80s. That isn't quite the case now. Even many prominent gay bars in San Francisco have closed. There are still several prominent establishments, but now the demographics are more mixed in places previously exclusively frequented by gay individuals. The presence of straight individuals in the Castro and LGBTQ+ individuals in diverse areas has become more typical. I believe this is a positive development.", Williams remarked.

Hart's recent return to Michigan included visits to East Lansing and Ann Arbor: "A notable lack of LGBTQ+ club scene was quite disheartening to me. I was told that people now often travel to Detroit for nightlife experiences. Los Angeles boasts a multitude of gay bars and nightclubs. It is a very different environment in California. Abundant LGBTQ+ protections are in place. And of course, a president like Barack Obama in the White House undoubtedly makes a difference. The stark contrast to the grim days under President Reagan in the 1980s, when the AIDS crisis escalated dramatically, is clear. Even though I have a partner and am at a certain stage of life, I still visit gay bars. I value the social sanctuary and interaction with others who share my identity.', Hart highlighted.

Ledesma and Carter

Morgan Ledesma, an East Lansing graduate, shared a unique experience growing up in the area: "Navigating young adulthood as a gay person in East Lansing wasn't always easy, but it wasn't as challenging as some other locations. I experienced constant perceptions of judgment from peers, and school staff treated me differently after their discovery. I am thankful that overt harassment was never a concern. After graduating, I became more comfortable in my own skin. But it was then that I observed adults clutching their children close to them, as if my sexuality posed a potential threat. Gradually, I found ways to ignore the judgment and maintain my composure. I have encountered and continue to experience instances of fear for my well-being, especially in public and for simply expressing my identity, and this is a direct result of recent and ongoing events in society, including the horrible tragedy in Orlando. It's saddening.", Ledesma stated.

Ledesma stated that the LGBT club at ELHS and Spiral in Old Town were the only two truly 'safe places' she had encountered. 'There aren't any safe places, not just here, but virtually anywhere. LGBTQ+ love is not universally acknowledged. It's like a perpetual yearning that's simply not achievable.', Ledesma noted.

Hart stressed the enduring need for gay clubs in 2016. 'Gay establishments provide essential social gathering places and sanctuaries. Progress has been made regarding marriage equality and societal awareness of LGBTQ+ people. However, significant regression has occurred. Witness the horrors in Orlando and the increasing attempts by some states to legally discriminate against LGBTQ+ individuals.  In numerous states (including Florida), being LGBTQ+ can result in job loss.", Hart emphatically declared.

Beier concurred, "I believe gay bars are crucial, particularly for LGBTQ+ individuals who are closeted or hesitant about expressing their sexuality. Though I do not visit them regularly, these establishments are important to me. My outward appearance and sexuality don't always align perfectly with the perceived norms in the world. I sometimes get mistaken for male, which is often irritating, but occasionally becomes problematic in women's restrooms and locker rooms when people feel the need to correct my sex.  I usually just smile and explain that I'm a woman, but aggressive reactions can be painful and harmful.  In some situations, men also make comments about attraction despite knowing my orientation. I'm unsure how to respond to that. Gay bars are a safe haven in this regard, a space where I feel comfortable. My appearance is never questioned and I'm never mistaken for male. While gay bars have issues like snarkiness, labeling, and gossip, I still find these establishments more relatable than most places. If a nearby lesbian bar existed, I would frequent it more often.', Beier added.

Tiana Carter, an ELHS graduate, observed that East Lansing demonstrates more acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals than many communities. 'The usual 'Oh, you haven't met the right person yet' remarks are common, but this sentiment exists everywhere.', she remarked.

Carter mused on a gay club's potential in East Lansing, expressing uncertainty about public support. 'The college is viewed as highly accepting; it's true, but many MSU students come from small towns in Michigan, carrying their small-town and prejudiced views, not just on LGBTQ+ people but on other cultures.', Carter explained.

Beier theorized that economics may influence East Lansing's lack of gay bars: "My hunch is that the high demand for bar space from straight MSU students drives up rent, thus diminishing profit potential for a gay bar in East Lansing.", Beier noted.

Ledesma believes that a gay bar would greatly benefit East Lansing: "A gay club would facilitate connections, reducing feelings of isolation and alienation that stem from societal judgment of one's sexuality. Gay clubs are not simply for gay people. Every person in the world should have the freedom to embrace themselves publicly, regardless of their identity—be it gay, Black, white, Mexican, Muslim, transgendered, of any other identity, or holding any position, from custodian to President. I treat each person equally. The world's issue, fundamentally, is that humans view anything different and fail to understand it; instead of recognizing diversity, they immediately dislike it for its unfamiliarity. I believe that if people took the time to truly understand those from the LGBTQ+ community, they would find us remarkably similar to themselves." , Ledesma concluded.