So You Want to Go to a Gay Bar? But You're Straight?
Gay bars and clubs have long been a haven for people of all sexualities and gender identities, including members of the LGBTQ+ community and straight allies alike. They exist as places where clubbers can celebrate their identities freely without fear of judgement in the way they express themselves and the way they love. Gay bars are also one of the few public places where queer people can gather on a regular basis to meet and mingle with one another, making them a pillar of the LGBTQ+ community in any given town. The importance of this community aspect is especially prevalent in the South, where homophobia has historically forced the suppression of non-cisgender, non-heterosexual individuals. In cities like Columbia, gay bars may be the only place in miles where a queer person can be their true self without worrying about discrimination and hate.