Footloose & Fancy Free

Regarding Hannah Tennant-Moore's story " Where have all the Gay bars Gone?"

I have been gay, Mexican and African American my whole life so racial slurs and colorful derogatory epithets are sadly part of the package. Friends, family and clubbing eases these trials and tribulations. In Santa Barbara the only true place to have fun, relax, unwind or party is the Wild Cat Bar and Lounge. After “Hades”, Santa Barbara’s last Gay bar and nightclub closed down, it was Wild Cat that took in a high volume of gay clientele. Some bars such as Tonic and Madison’s are less accommodating towards the gay populace in Santa Barbara. I know because I have gone to both establishments and have been subjected to that which was mentioned above. Slurs and derogatory epithets. Wild Cat is places were the staff and its straight patrons understand the difference between what is to tolerate a people and what is to accept a people. Gay people do not frequent a bar that they are tolerated in, they frequent a bar or club that they are treated like everybody else. If it’s a business wise establishment, that means they treat all who enter their doors and who work within them, with respect.

I am a “born and raised” native of Santa Barbara so I have been to a great many clubs and bars here in town. Even clubs that vie for gay dollars with dissembled kindness but in truth they would much rather not allow gay people in their doors to avoid the stigma of being seen as a “Gay Bar.” In the minds of some, A bar full of straight people is a bar, you add one gay patron it’s a gay friendly bar but if you have more than one gay patron, you now have a gay bar and you might loose your straight clientele. I have been to bars in Santa Barbara were they profess to welcome anyone gay or straight but the staff and their patrons feel more than comfortable calling a gay man a “faggot.” In front of other gay patrons and this is accepted behavior. Yes, I know, I have been told consider the source, sticks stones and all that right? What ever.

I am just glad the Wild Cat steps up to the plate and tells the whole of Santa Barbara they are an every day, every night and everybody bar, lounge and nightclub. Comments like those will never be tolerated there by staff or anyone. Kudos.