The Déjà vu, in an old, narrow building on ground now occupied by the Indianapolis Zoo, is believed to have been the first Indianapolis gay bar to employ a deejay. Hudnut issued a proclamation declaring it was city policy not to discriminate against gays. Under Berg's pressure, the Indianapolis Police Department hired a liaison to the gay and lesbian community. Berg is considered Indianapolis' first political gay man, "the one willing to be the face of the gay community," said Bohr. Complaining about the surveillance fell to Stan Berg, who owned a gay bath house in the 4100 block of North Keystone Avenue. Police tried to shoo them away by videotaping them. Monument Circle, in the early 1980s, was a popular gathering spot for gays and lesbians, and this made some people uncomfortable. "If you wanted a screwdriver," said Warman, "you were screwed." "Anita Bryant was probably the best thing that happened to the gay community."Īt gay bars, orange juice was no longer served because of Bryant's affiliation with the Florida growers. "We carried signs (one said: "Heil Anita Gay-Stop-O") and walked up and down the sidewalk in the pouring rain - 800 of us," she said. Mary Byrne recalls protesting outside the rally. She was there to promote a bill in the Indiana General Assembly (championed by a Greenwood lawmaker named Don Boys) that would criminalize sodomy. Politically, gays in Indianapolis didn't band together until October 1977, when the recording artist/former Miss USA/Florida Citrus Commission spokeswoman Anita Bryant led a rally at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. "If you 'came out' back then, you'd have been beat to death," said Warman, who at the time was married to a woman, as was Palmer. Instead, they paid their fines and slinked away. McCann said that was "the first time I remember people actually being nice to each other."īut no one stood up and protested the raids. When people needed to use the toilet, a phalanx of men would stand up and form a wall to give privacy. They were herded together into a large cell with open toilets where they spent the night. McCann said that in 1964, he was one of some 80 gay men loaded into 12 paddy wagons and hauled to the Marion County Jail. "We'd quick drop our partner and grab a lesbian," said David McCann, 70, who lived in Kokomo but frequently socialized in Indianapolis.īut often such raids led to nights in jail, especially if the gay patrons didn't have I.D. She saw the police approach, flipped a light switch, a signal familiar to her patrons. But the proprietor, Betty Keller, was too quick for them. " 'Visiting a dive,' is what they'd call it," Warman said. Warman recalled being at Betty K's, a club that occupied a big old Victorian house at 17th and Central (since torn down) in the mid-'60s, when police came in to bust men for dancing with other men. "Young kids don't realize what it used to be like, what older people went through." Part Of A Large Group Or Corporate Booking? Click Here To Enquire"There's a lot of history behind where we are now," said Coby Palmer, 65, a florist and longtime gay civic leader. Tickets can be transferred at the discretion of the event organiser for a small fee. ** Tickets are sold on a non-refundable basis. Images are not of this venue, they are a selection of previous Tinseltown locations and may vary Non-alcoholic drinks are available - just let the team know on arrival Please bring a physical government photo ID. This pop-up bar is currently for those over 21's, and family-friendly sessions are available for those under drinking age. Tickets include entry to the themed bar and a Christmas themed drink on arrival! It's time to make every day cheery again, and you guessed it.Tinseltown is all about celebrating Christmas so you can expect Santa, elves, presents, tinsel, festive tunes and lots of winter warmer drinks, including a fabulous Christmas cocktail menu! The halls are more than fully decked with baubles, bows, hanging trees, wreaths and just about every festive goodie ever! You'll be left unable to shake the spirit and joy of our favourite season. The event is overflowing with holly jolly Christmas spirit! Tinseltown is coming, just in time for winter! The all-encompassing Christmas-themed pop-up will be fulfilling all your festive wishes. Have You Been Naughty Or Nice? Because Tinseltown Is Coming To Town!
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