Stay ConnectedA show about lesbian bars, the humans that run them, and the humans that call them a home. Not sure where to start? You don’t have to listen in order! Pick your favorite city or your favorite bar and dive in.
Season 1 follows creators Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity on their 2021 cross-country road trip to visit and document every lesbian bar in the U.S. Season 2 chronicles the current lesbian bar resurgence AND takes you back in time to lesbian bars of decades past!
Copyright: © 2023 Cruising | A Queer Documentary Podcast
Lillian Faderman is a world renowned, award winning LGBTQ+ and lesbian historian, scholar, and author. Her books include Surpassing the Love of Men, Odd Girls and Twilight Lovers, Gay L.A., The Gay Revolution, Woman: The American History of an Idea, and many others. We've interviewed her once before, and we've quoted her in many of our other episodes. This extended interview was recorded in 2023 in Lillian's home, and includes some of Lillian's expertise on lesbian history and culture throughout the 20th century as well as stories from her own life.
This episode is a part of a series we’re calling Cruising the Archives. We’re featuring extended interviews with LGBTQ+ icons from our own archives, as well as from the collections of queer and lesbian archives throughout the country.
Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!
-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!
-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook
-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!
-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover art is by Nikki Ligos. Logo is by Finley Martin.
This week, we're sharing the story of Ms. Mabel Hampton, in partnership with The Lesbian Herstory Archives. Ms. Hampton (1902-1989) was an African-American lesbian, an activist, a dancer, a singer, and a domestic worker. She was also a dear friend and mentor of Joan Nestle, one of The Lesbian Herstory Archives' founders. Between 1976 and 1988, Joan Nestle sat down with Ms. Hampton numerous times to record a series of oral history interviews. We've pulled bits and pieces from these tapes to share some of Ms. Hampton's life story.
The Lesbian Herstory Archives is home to the world’s largest collection of materials by and about Lesbians and our communities.
This episode is a part of a series we’re calling Cruising the Archives. We’re featuring extended interviews with LGBTQ+ icons from our own archives, as well as from the collections of queer and lesbian archives throughout the country.
Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!
-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!
-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook
-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!
-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover art is by Nikki Ligos. Logo is by Finley Martin.
In 1963, white supremacist terrorists bombed the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, killing four young black girls. Despite the FBI and local investigators identifying four key perpetrators, no one was charged. Until 1977, when Pete Smith, a trans man, worked with the FBI to testify against and convict his uncle, Robert Chambliss. In partnership with Invisible Histories, we are releasing this 1988 interview with Pete.
This episode is a part of a series we’re calling Cruising the Archives. We’re featuring extended interviews with LGBTQ+ icons from our own archives, as well as from the collections of queer and lesbian archives throughout the country.
Invisible Histories locates, collects, researches, and creates community-based, educational programming around LGBTQ history in the Deep South. Invisible Histories believes archiving is resistance to oppression and history leads to liberation.
Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!
-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!
-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook
-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!
-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover art is by Nikki Ligos. Logo is by Finley Martin.
Happy Pride Month!! Starting this month, we will be releasing a series of episodes that we’re calling Cruising the Archives. We’re featuring extended interviews with LGBTQ+ icons from our own archives, as well as from the collections of queer and lesbian archives throughout the country.
First up: Patricia McCombs. In December of 1974, Pat noticed that she and her Black and latinx friends were being discriminated against at CK’s, a North Side Chicago lesbian bar. In this interview, you’ll hear all about how she and the community successfully protested discrimination at CK’s and how Pat went on to establish “Executive Sweet” a roving lesbian party that catered to Black women.
Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!
-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!
-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook
-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!
-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover art is by Nikki Ligos. Logo is by Finley Martin.
-Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, Olivia Travel
-Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISING
Redz is a little known former lesbian bar in East LA, which opened in the 1950s and catered primarily to Chicana lesbians. This is the story of one woman in particular who called this space a home: Nancy Valverde. Nancy is most known for her long fought battle with the LAPD over masquerading laws, spending dozens of nights in jail throughout the 1950s for her refusal to wear typical women’s clothing.
Nancy passed away in March of 2024 just six months after our interview with her. This episode is for her. Thank you to Nancy.
This episode features interviews with: Nancy Valverde (conducted by Sarah Gabrielli and Rachel Karp in 2023 and by Lillian Faderman in 2004, courtesy of the June L Mazer Archives) and Jacquie and Keith Evans.
Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!
-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!
-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook
-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!
-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover art is by Nikki Ligos. Logo is by Finley Martin.
-Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, Olivia Travel
-Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISING
There's a new dyke bar in Bushwick, and it's called The Bush! These are the stories of humans that run it, and the humans that call it a home.
Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode!
This episode features interviews with: Nikke Alleyne, Justine LaViolette, Macon Reed, Loretta Andro Chung, and Sarah Hallonquist. Check out Macon's work here. Order Dyke Beer here.
Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!
-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!
-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook
-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!
-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.
-Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, Olivia Travel
-Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISING
Our full interview with Summer, security at Doc Marie's.
Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!
-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!
-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!
-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook
-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.
-Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Olivia Travel and Honda
-Discover Olivia at olivia.com/experience and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISING
Support the Show.
In 2018, the Hershee Bar community showed up at a series of Norfolk City Council meetings to fight for their bar. This is the story of Hershee Bar, the humans that ran it, and the humans that called it a home.
Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode!
This episode features interviews with: Annette Stone, Jennifer Alomari, Andria McClellan, and Mamie B Johnson, as well as excerpts from 2018 Norfolk City Council meetings featuring various members of the local LGBTQ+ community.
Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!
-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!
-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook
-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!
-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.
-Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, Olivia Travel
-Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISING
Cruising is a documentary podcast about lesbian bars, the humans that run them, and the humans that call them a home. Not sure where to start? You don’t have to listen in order! Pick your favorite city or your favorite bar and dive in.
Season 1 follows creators Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity on their 2021 cross-country road trip to visit and document every lesbian bar in the U.S.
Season 2 chronicles the current lesbian bar resurgence AND takes listeners back in time to historic lesbian bars of decades past!
-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!
-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook
-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!
-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.
Alice Brady owned and ran various lesbian bars throughout New Orleans between 1952 and 1978. The most notable was called Alice Brady's.
Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode!
This episode features interviews with: Ellen Frayle, Frank Perez, Diane DiMicelli, Randy Elwood, and Cindy
Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!
-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!
-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook
-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!
-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.
-Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, Olivia Travel
-Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISING
When Mara and Emily opened The Ruby Fruit in 2023, Los Angeles hadn't had a lesbian bar since 2017. It is named after Rita Mae Brown's iconic lesbian novel Rubyfruit Jungle, and self-described as "a strip mall wine bar for the sapphically inclined."
Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode!
This episode features interviews with: Mara Herbkersman, Emily Bielagus, Denise Jones, and Anna Goodman.
Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!
-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!
-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!
-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook
-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.
-Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, Olivia Travel
-Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISING
Established in 1965, Lost and Found was the longest running lesbian bar in Chicago until it was sold in 2008 and became Lizard's Liquid Lounge. Join us as we celebrate former Lost and Found regular Linda's 80th birthday at Lizard's, and hear the stories of the community members who've found a safe space at this bar over the years.
Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode.
This episode features interviews with Linda Barsaloux, Tracey Baim, Michelle Jones, and Barb
Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!
-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!
-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!
-Want more LGBTQ+ history and stories? Follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook
-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.
-Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, Olivia Travel
-Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISING
In February of 2020, Chicago's newest lesbian bar, Dorothy Downstairs first opened its doors. A month later, they were forced to close when the city shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic. About 2 years later, they reopened, and they've been a staple of the Chicago queer community ever since!
Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode!
This episode features interviews with: Lillian Faderman, Zoe Schor, Whitney LaMora, and Rainn Thomas.
Zoe and Whitney are fundraising to open Chicago's only queer-focused wedding & event venue in the space above Dorothy Downstairs! You can support this next endeavor HERE.
Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!
-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!
-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!
-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook
-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.
-Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, Olivia Travel
-Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISING
Mona Sargent (born Mona Nystrom) is widely credited as the owner of the first lesbian bar in San Francisco, and perhaps the first public lesbian bar in United States. Between 1933 and 1950 she owned a series of bars in clubs in San Francisco: Mona's, Mona's Barrelhouse, Mona's 440 Club, The Paper Doll, and Mona's Candle Light.
Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode.
This episode features interviews with Beth Lemke, Clay, and Lillian Faderman. The episode also features archival tape of interviews with Mona Sargent, featuring Rikki Streicher and Reba Hudson, conducted by Nan Alamilla Boyd as a part of the Wide Open Town History Project, Courtesy of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society (collection 2003-05).
Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!
-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!
-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!
-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook
-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.
-Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Olivia Travel and Honda
-Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISING
Rikki Streicher opened Maud's in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco in 1966. The bar would be a fixture of the lesbian community there until it closed its doors in 1989. It's memorialized in the 1993 documentary Last Call At Maud's and in the hearts and minds of all those who called Maud's a home over the years!
Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode.
This episode features interviews with Paris Poirier, Karen Kiss, Susan Fahey, Mandy Carter, and Jeanne Clarke, as well as audio excerpts from Last Call at Maud's. The episode also features archival tape of interviews with Rikki Streicher conducted by Nan Alamilla Boyd as a part of the Wide Open Town History Project, Courtesy of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society (collection 2003-05).
Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!
-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!
-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!
-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook
-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.
-Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Olivia Travel and Honda
-Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISING
Our full interview with Ray, bartender at Doc Marie's.
Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!
-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!
-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!
-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook
-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.
-Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Olivia Travel and Honda
-Discover Olivia at olivia.com/experience and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISING
In the summer of 2022, the city of Portland excitedly awaited the opening of a new lesbian bar: Doc Marie's. It didn't go as planned. Join us as we uncover the full Doc Marie's story, exploring the dark side of the internet, the nuances of queer culture, and the unexpected challenges of opening a business.
Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode.
This episode features interviews with Aundrenee Nash, Brandy Feit, Olga Bichko, Ken Batali, Robin, Anna, Danica, and Shane O'Neill
Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!
-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!
-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!
-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook
-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.
-Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Olivia Travel and Honda
-Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISING
Our full interview with Anjali Kumaran, regular patron at The Sports Bra.
Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!
-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!
-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!
-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook
-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.
-Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Olivia Travel and Honda
-Discover Olivia at olivia.com/experience and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISING
In April of 2022, Jenny Nguyen opened the first women's sports bar in the entire world: The Sports Bra, in Portland, Oregon. From college basketball to the Women's World Cup to the Olympics, it's all playing at The Sports Bra! But you won't catch any men's sports on their TVs.
Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode!
This episode features interviews with: Jenny Nguyen, Thu Nguyen, Jen Barnes, Sadee Terwort, and Christina Roberts.
Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!
-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!
-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!
-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook
-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.
-Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Olivia Travel and Honda
-Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISING
This is our full interview with Teryl Lynn Foxx! Teryl is a renowned New Orleans entertainer, who has been winning titles across the country for decades. Her accolades include: Miss Gay Louisiana 1992, Miss Gay Mississippi 1994, Miss Tennessee Continental 1996, Miss Essence International Classic 2014, Miss Daytona Beach Continental Elite 2016, and Miss Continental Elite 2016.
Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!
-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!
-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!
-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook
-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.
-Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Olivia Travel and Honda
-Discover Olivia at olivia.com/experience and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISING
Juanita Pierre and Leslie Martinez opened New Orlean’s first Black-owned lesbian bar, Les Pierres, on the corner of Pauger St and N. Rampart St. No one can quite remember the exact date Les Pierres opened, but based on some other stories and dates, we can guess it would have been around 1980 and by 1990, they had closed.
This episode features interviews with Teryl Lynn Foxx, Juanita Pierre, Mike Pierre, and Emelda Sterling.
Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!
-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!
-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!
-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook
-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.
-Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Olivia Travel and Honda
-Discover Olivia at olivia.com/experience and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISING
In December of 1977, Charlene’s opened on the corner of Elysian Fields and North Rampart Street in New Orleans. It was open for 22 years, until it closed in 1999. This is the story of the woman behind the bar: Charlene Schneider, lesbian activist and pioneer.
Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode.
This episode features interviews with Robert "Bobby" Fieseler, Linda Tucker, and Valda Lewis. It also includes archival tape of interviews with Charlene Schneider (1996 -1997) conducted by Marilyn McConnell, courtesy of Newcomb Archives and Nadine Robbert Vorhoff Collection, Newcomb Institute, Tulane University.
Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!
-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!
-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!
-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook
-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.
-Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Olivia Travel and Honda
-Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISING
When we launched Cruising Podcast back in 2021, we had only twenty-one lesbian bars on our list. Little did we know, we were on the cusp of a lesbian bar resurgence. In the past two years, at least EIGHT new lesbian bars have opened across the country. And as Femme Bar co-owner Danielle Spring will tell you, Cruising is to blame for at least one of them!
Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode.
This episode features interviews with: Danielle Spring, Julie Toupin, Stephanie Yuhl, Jennessa Burks, and Peyton Chandler
-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!
-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!
-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook
-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.
-Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Olivia Travel and Honda
-Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISING
Did you know 8 new lesbian bars have opened in the U.S. since we launched Cruising back in 2021?! In Season 2, we’re taking you to each of these new bars. And we’re also heading back in time to explore lesbian bars of decades past. From 1930s San Francisco to 1990s New Orleans, and everything in between! Tune in to hear the stories of the humans that call these spaces home. Premiering November 7th, 2023.
-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!
Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!
For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok
Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman’s work HERE!
Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!
Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of: Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity.
Season 2 of Cruising is Audio Engineered by Sarah, Story Produced by Sarah and Rachel, and Line Produced by Jen.
Theme song by Joey Freeman.
Cover Art by Finley Martin.
This is our full interview tape Ruthie Boirie. We usually only release full interviews on our Patreon page, but we feel like everyone deserves to hear the extended Ruthie story! Ruthie is a regular customer at Ginger's and the owner of Ruthie's Neighborhood Barbershop, a Park Slope staple for 26 years. She's also kind of a local celebrity.
You can hear some of her stories in person AND get a great haircut by visiting Ruthie at her barbershop at 66 St Marks Avenue in Brooklyn, NY.
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Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!
-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!
-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!
-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok
-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes
-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman’s work HERE!
-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!
-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.
Our Webby-honored season 1 finale! When we left on our road trip to visit every lesbian bar in the U.S. last fall, our own neighborhood lesbian bar, Ginger's, sat shuttered. Like all bars and restaurants in New York, Ginger's closed due to the pandemic in March of 2020. In September of 2021, we still had no idea if or when it would ever re-open. But a few weeks after we returned home from our trip, it was announced on Instagram; Ginger's was coming back!
In our final episode of season 1, we're honored to share the stories of two women who are absolutely essential to the Ginger's community. There's Sheila Frayne, who opened Ginger's bar in 2000. She was born in Ireland and immigrated to the United States in her early 20s. She never for a second doubted Ginger's would re-open after the pandemic. And then there's Ruthie. If you've ever been to Ginger's, you have probably met Ruthie. Or maybe you know her from her barbershop, which sits about a mile north of the bar. She's a bit of a local celebrity...though she might tell you otherwise.
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-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!
-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.
-Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, Honda
Hi Listeners!
A quick update for you all: we know we are overdue for another episode of Cruising and that is because we are working hard on our season 1 finale!! Our season finale will feature our very own 'home' bar, Ginger's, located in Brooklyn. Keep an eye out for this episode to drop sometime in August. And yes, this means we will be coming back for a season 2!! Subscribe and follow along on social media for more updates.
Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!
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-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.
Babes of Carytown, or Babe's for short, has been around since 1979. These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that call it a home.
Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!
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-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!
-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.
-Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, Honda
The Lipstick Lounge is Tennessee's only lesbian bar. It was established in 2002 in Nashville. These are the stories of the humans that run is and the humans that call it a home.
Jonda Valentine founded The Lipstick Lounge in 2002 because she missed the community and fellowship that the church once provided her. A few months later, Christa Suppan became co-owner, and has helped to foster a sense of family there for 20 years. Krystal, a performer and bartender, is a member of that family. As are Lynn Hearn and BB McQueen, who have been friends since age 16. They met writing and performing sex ed skits as peer educators with Planned Parenthood, and have been performing ever since.
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-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.
-Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, Honda
My Sisters Room (MSR) is one of the longest running lesbian bars of the south. These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that call it a home.
Jen Maguire got her start in the Atlanta queer scene doing drag. And today? She owns My Sister's Room with her wife, Jami Maguire. Jill works security at MSR, and the job has helped her cut down on drinking while still allowing her to be an integral part of the community. Skyler raised funds for his top surgery at MSR--and landed a spot on Queer Eye chronicling his journey. And Madison, a regular at MSR, details the experience of being in Atlanta during the BLM protests following George Floyd's murder, and MSR's support during this time.
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-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!
-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.
-Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, Honda
Herz was founded in a Mobile, Alabama in October of 2019 and closed in 2023. It was a Black, queer, woman owned space. These are the stories of the humans that ran it and the humans that called it a home.
From the outside, Herz might be mistaken for a strip club. And that's intentional, according to co-owner Rachel. Rachel owns Herz with her wife, Sheila, who wanted to open a lesbian bar in her retirement. Kyler, a bartender at Herz, moved to Mobile from Birmingham, and immediately got a job at Herz. And Beyonce, who got his nickname from a group of bikers at another bar in town, bartends there as well.
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-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.
Located in Houston, Pearl Bar is our second stop in Texas. These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that call it a home.
Julie Mabry has wanted to open a lesbian bar ever since she visited her first one at 16 years old with her sister, Sarah. Sarah, who struggled through much of her adolescence, felt comfortable for the first time walking into that lesbian bar. And Julie noticed. Today, Julie owns Pearl Bar, and has created a safe haven there for all sorts of people. Like Paige, a single mom who picks up extra shifts with her Pearl Bar family when she needs. And Eve, who was born and raised in Lebanon, and came to the U.S. to live freely and openly.
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-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.
Sue Ellen's is one of two lesbian bars in the state of Texas. It's located in Oaklawn, Dallas's gayborhood. These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that call it a home.
Kathy Jack, was 18 years old when she started frequenting the Dallas gay bars in the late 1970s. Now the General Manager of Sue Ellen's, Kathy has over 40 years of Dallas's LGBTQ+ history to share. Erica has been coming to Sue Ellen's since 2008, and she now runs a group called Lez Be Friends Dallas, which aims to build community and bring business to the bar. Shelly first started bartending at Sue Ellen's in 1994. And after leaving to pursue a 20 year career in teaching, she now finds herself back behind the bar.
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-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!
-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.
YBR is the third of Oklahoma's three lesbian bars. Its full name is "Yellow Brick Road Pub" but everyone calls it YBR. These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that call it a home.
Kevie didn't know other gay people existed growing up in Checotah, Oklahoma in the 60s and 70s. But by 2000, she had opened her very own lesbian bar in Tulsa: YBR. Since 2000, YBR has been a home and a community to many. There's Amanda, YBR's General Manager; Sarah, former bartender and current therapist; and Erica, longtime YBR regular.
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-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.
Frankie's is the second of Oklahoma's three lesbian bars welcoming the local queer and trans community. We visited Frankie's on a Tuesday, which happens to be family night at the bar. These are the stories of the humans we met there.
Raven got her start in drag at 16, performing at the Wreck Room, Oklahoma City's now closed all-ages LGBTQ+ club. Nearly 30 years later, you can find Raven performing almost exclusively at Frankie's. Tracy has been going to lesbian bars in Oklahoma City since the late 1970s, and has owned Frankie's with her wife, Ann, since 2017. Holly helped Tracy and Ann get the bar up and running, and she and her partner Smokey are now regulars there. You'll have to listen to find out how Smokey got her name!
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-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!
-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.
Oklahoma is the state with the highest number of known lesbian bars per capita, and is tied with only New York for the state with the highest number of lesbian bars total. Alibi's is the first of Oklahoma's three lesbian bars. These are the stories of the humans that run Alibi's and the humans that call it a home.
Lily discovered Alibi's shortly after moving to Oklahoma to take care of her Grandmother. Krystal took over Alibi's in 2013, and met her wife Tiffany at the bar shortly thereafter. Lisa, a bartender at Alibi's, got her first taste of LGBTQ+ nightlife at 15, going to the now closed Oklahoma City underage dance club, the Wreck Room. And Sarah (along with her dog Oreo) has found a home at Alibi's--a place where she can truly be herself.
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-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman’s work HERE!
-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!
-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.
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What started as a bi-weekly pop-up party ultimately became a permanent fixture of the Phoenix LGBTQ+ nightlife scene: Boycott Bar. These are the stories of the humans that run Boycott Bar and the humans that call it home.
Audrey Corley, the owner of Boycott, can often be found behind the bar with a wireless microphone in hand, amping up the crowd. And Nick, a longtime bartender and Boycott's unofficial "resident medic" is often right by Audrey's side. While the two of them serve up drinks with admirable speed, they are incredibly diligent about making sure their patrons have a safe ride home.
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-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman’s work HERE!
-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!
-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.
Established in 2009, Gossip Grill is located in San Diego's "gayborhood" Hillcrest. These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that call it home.
Moe Girton opened Gossip Grill after "accidentally" turning another bar where she bartended into a lesbian bar. Elisha was kicked out for being gay at 17, and found a home and a family working at Gossip. Lisa is at Gossip at least a few nights a week, and we were lucky enough to meet her when we visited. Lisa is a member of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a charity organization comprised of queer and trans nuns working to combat shame, spread love, and serve their communities.
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-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman’s work HERE!
-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!
-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.
Wild Side West, now located in San Francisco's Bernal Heights neighborhood, has been around for nearly 50 years. These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that have called it home.
Pat Ramseyer opened the bar in 1962 at it's original location in Oakland, CA, and successfully ran the bar until she passed in 2010. Billie Hayes inherited the bar, and despite having never even bartended, kept it alive and well for the years to come. And Donna has been visiting Wild Side West since she moved to San Francisco from Texas in 1970 at age 20.
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-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.
Wildrose, located in Seattle, WA, has been around since its opening night party on New Year's Eve ringing in 1985. These are the stories of the humans that have called it home.
Bryher Herak founded Wildrose, running the bar for fifteen-plus years while balancing a successful law career. Lamar Van Dyke ran a tattoo shop next door to Wildrose for eighteen years, and was of course a regular customer. And today, Martha Manning and Shelly Brothers run the Wildrose in an ever-changing Capitol Hill neighborhood.
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-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.
This is our full interview with Shirley J. Ever since visiting Nobody's Darling in Chicago, it was clear we had to get an interview with Shirley. Not only is she a regular there, but everyone refers to her as The Mayor of Nobody's Darling. It a fair amount of tracking down and persuading, but we finally got Shirley on the phone. We started by talking about her life as a young queer person in 1970s Chicago.
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-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.
Walker's Pint, located in the Walker's Point neighborhood of Milwaukee, WI, is a lesbian bar with the motto "Be nice or leave." These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that call it a home.
Bet-Z Boenning founded Walker's Pint in 2001. Lex has been bartending at Walker's Pint for 17 years, and says her friendship with Bet-Z is what keeps her there. And regular customers Annie and Becky realized they were in love in 1995, after a near death experience.
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-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman’s work HERE!
-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!
-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.
Hi Listeners! Here's a quick message from the Cruising Podcast team. We hope you are staying safe and healthy as we wrap out 2021. We're off this week for the holidays and will be back on Monday, January 3rd with our exciting Milwaukee episode, featuring Walker's Pint. 'Til next year!
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-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!
-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Music by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.
Nobody's Darling, in Chicago, IL, is a Black-owned, women-owned, and LGBT-owned craft cocktail bar. These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that call it a home.
Renauda Riddle and Angela Barnes opened the bar in May, 2021, naming it after the Alice Walker poem, "Be Nobody's Darling." Shirley J has been a part of LGBT nightlife in Chicago since the 1970s, and is now affectionately called 'The Mayor of Nobody's Darling.' And Xavier Sumter planned to leave Chicago...until he started bartending at Nobody's Darling.
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-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman’s work HERE!
-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!
-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Music by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.
This is our full interview with Lisa Cannistraci, the owner of Henrietta Hudson in New York City. Henrietta's is located in a space that used to be another lesbian bar called Cubby Hole. Despite sharing a name, that bar is completely unrelated to the Cubbyhole that is still running in Manhattan today, and that we covered in episode 01 of Cruising. Please enjoy, and reach out to let us know who you want to hear more from next time.
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Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!
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-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes
-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman’s work HERE!
-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!
-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Music by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.
The Back Door is the only queer space within a 50-mile radius of Bloomington, IN. These are the stories of the humans that run The Back Door and the humans that have called The Back Door home.
Nicci and Smoove founded The Back Door together in 2013, after meeting at a mutual friend's memorial in Bloomington. Verna Vendetta and Corvin Rose both got their starts as drag kings at The Back Door, but they no longer perform there as much as they used to.
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-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman’s work HERE!
-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!
-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Music by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.
We interviewed Lillian Faderman at the very beginning of this process, before covering any of the bars. Lillian is a longtime scholar of lesbian and LGBTQIA+ history. She published her first book on the subject in 1981, Surpassing The Love of Men. Her most recent book came out in 2018, Harvey Milk: His Lives and Death. Lillian has been going to lesbian bars since the 1950s.
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-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!
-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Music by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.
Slammers is a lesbian bar in Columbus, OH known for their pizza and their motto, "all walks, one groove." These are the stories of the humans that run Slammers and the humans that call Slammers a home.
Marcia Riley founded Slammers in 1993. Deb Gordon met Marcia in a paint store that same year, and has been her "wing-man" ever since. Bobbi Moore went from working in social work to managing a bar. And all three of them know that Slammers is a place for family--both chosen and biological.
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-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman’s work HERE!
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-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Music by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.
Use code CRUISINGPOD for 10% off your purchase of non-alcoholic spirits at www.ritualzeroproof.com.
We have so many queer stories that don't make it into the main episodes. So, on our off weeks, we're going to start releasing some of our full interview tapes. This is the full interview with Deb Greenberg, the bartender from Cubbyhole. This was back in April, Cubbyhole had just reopened, and we actually weren't allowed to hang out inside because of COVID. That's why you're going to hear some traffic and construction. We're sitting outside, on the wooden floor of Cubbyhole's new, outdoor patio. Please enjoy, and reach out to let us know who you want to hear more from next time.
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-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman’s work HERE!
-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!
-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Music by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.
A League of Her Own, or ALOHO for short, was founded in 2018. And yes, it's named after the 1992 film, A League of Their Own! These are the stories of the humans that run ALOHO and the humans that call ALOHO a home. Plus, the story of As You Are Bar, a new queer space opening soon in D.C.
Laurel has been coming to ALOHO since it opened: so frequently, the staff jokes they should put a plaque on her stool. If General Manager Ally Spaulding isn’t behind the bar with a full face of colorful and sparkly makeup, then she’s hosting her weekly trivia night in drag. Garnet bartends at ALOHO, where her passion is making patrons feel comfortable, seen, and represented with her personhood behind the bar. Andrea Prudencia also bartends at ALOHO, and she says the community there has uplifted and embraced her as she began hormone therapy after coming out as transgender. Jo and Rach met working at ALOHO and are in the process of opening a new queer space in Washington, DC: As You Are Bar.
Episode 03 Terms You Might Not Know:
AFAB: Assigned Female at Birth
AMAB: Assigned Male at Birth
Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!
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-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!
-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Music by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.
Henrietta Hudson is a “queer human bar built by lesbians.” These are the stories of the humans that run Henrietta Hudson and call Henrietta Hudson a home.
Owner Lisa Cannistraci opened Henrietta Hudson in 1991 in the West Village, in the midst of her activism work with Act Up. Chef Evelyn Reyes joined the team this year, decades after running away to NYC from Puerto Rico as a teenager. Noelia discovered Henrietta Hudson in an AOL chat room and has been coming ever since.
-Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!
-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!
-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok
-For a transcript of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/transcripts
-Music by Joey Freeman. Like what you hear? Check out his work HERE.
-Cover Art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE.
-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity.
Cubbyhole, Manhattan’s appropriately named hole-in-the-wall lesbian bar, has been around since 1993. These are the stories of the humans that run Cubbyhole and the humans that call Cubbyhole a home.
Hadley stumbled upon Cubbyhole for the first time one day after highschool. Deb Greenberg started working there after she came out at 45. Owner Lisa Menichino helped keep the bar open through 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy. Nina Buitrago is visiting Cubbyhole on its first day open since the pandemic, and for the first time since they came out as non-binary. LGBT Historian Lillian Faderman weighs in on what the term “lesbian bar” means in 2021.
-Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!
-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!
-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok
-For a transcript of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/transcripts
-Music by Joey Freeman. Like what you hear? Check out his work HERE.
-Cover Art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE.
-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity.
Introducing Cruising Podcast!
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Cruising follows creators Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity on a cross-country road trip to visit the last lesbian bars in America and share their stories. What is a lesbian bar, anyways? Listen to find out and catch a sneak peak of our first stop in NYC. Series premiering October, 2021.
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Visit us at: www.cruisingpod.com, Follow our journey on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok: @cruisingpod . Hosted by Sarah Gabrielli; Reported and Produced by Rachel Karp, Jen McGinity, and Sarah Gabrielli; Music by Joey Freeman
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