Stonewall as the Past and Present Symbol of Gay Rights in America

By Gamal Hennessy

The modern era of gay rights in America can be traced back to a small bar in New York’s West Village. When a group of transvestites refused to go into the bathroom to have their genitals inspected to determine their gender, it marked a turning point in the relationship between homosexuals and heterosexuals in the US. To a large extent it also changed the perception of homosexuals about themselves. The annual Pride Parade, positive gay figures in the media, debates on gay marriage and open sexual orientation in military service are all a by-products of the first Stonewall Incident.

While progress has been made, recent news suggests that the clock is turning back to older homophonic attitudes. Tyler Clementi commits suicide after his roommate secretly films his sexual encounter and broadcasts it on the internet. In a modern version of the Salem Witch Hunts, tabloids print “shocking” headlines that public figures ranging from Prince Charles to Martha Stewart are gay, might be gay or may have had gay experiences. A tourist to New York is attacked by fanatics inside the same bathroom where the first Stonewall Incident started. All of this has happened in the last 10 days. Like the Civil Rights Movement and women’s rights, legal progress clearly does not mean that the underlying social problem has been solved.

Nightlife has a social impact that goes beyond bottle service and sex. It is an environment that pushes the envelope of American culture as a whole. Historically, it is the space where minorities and homosexuals felt accepted when they weren’t accepted anywhere else. It is where modern music and fashion trends are tested before they slip into the mainstream. It is where social protests and movements from anti-Prohibition crime to the start of the gay rights movement found their home. If more progress is going to be made, it may very well continue where it started. Even if common society’s apathy, red state mentality or tabloid media slurs continue to promote division and hate, nightlife can and should be a haven for those who need a place to get away from the negative elements of society. Natives need to protect each other.

There is some good news when you compare the first Stonewall Incident to the second one. During the first Stonewall Incident it was the patrons vs. the cops in riots that lasted several days. It was nightlife fighting against authority. During the second Stonewall Incident the patrons chased down the fanatics and handed them over to the police, who were arrested on a hate crimes charges. It was nightlife working with authorities. If we can continue that trend, then nightlife can be a model for the rest of America.

Have fun.
G

The Search for New Venues (An Invitation for Club Owners, Managers, DJs, Bartenders and Promoters)

By Gamal Hennessy

People often ask me for suggestions on what bars and clubs to go to. Sometimes they are going on a date. Sometimes they are throwing a party. Sometimes their client comes in from out of town looking for really tall blondes. Whatever the situation, I give them ideas based on what they like and the type of evening they want to have.

While I have quite a few go to spots based on my travels, I’m always trying to expand my list of preferred places. I try to visit every place I recommend, but in an effort to save my liver from long term damage I’m going to try something different.

If you have an ongoing event or a venue that you would like me to add to my recommendation list, drop me an email and let me know. I will try to steer more patrons your way and improve your bottom line.

I’m not a promoter. I don’t charge for this hook up. I don’t want a cut of your revenue. I don’t want a table. I don’t even want you to mention me to your clients (I don’t mind if you do, I’m just not going to ask you to do it). That’s not the business I’m in. I deal in information. This is a word of mouth thing. The more good spots I know about, the happier my readers are and better off I am. The more people I bring to you, the more money you make, the better off you are.

If you want your spot to be considered for the Prince’s List, here’s what I need to know:

The day of the week for your event.
The start and end time of your party.
The type of music being played.
The demographic of your crowd.
The type of food (if any) and drinks you have.
The fixed cost of attendance (cover, ticket price, drink minimums, etc)
The name and email of a contact who I can touch base with if I have any other questions.

If you have any questions for me, just drop me a line gamal@newyorknightsonline.com

Have fun.
G

The Case for New York Nightlife Week

By Gamal Hennessy

One of the recurring issues that nightlife faces in New York is the negative perception held by the public. A better image for the industry can change the way we are treated by City Hall, the police, the courts and even the press. There is an event going on right now in Midtown that offers a good model of how we can improve our image.

New York is already host to several events designed to raise the prominence of specific industries. The garment industry has Fashion Week, film has the Tribeca Film Festival, eateries have Restaurant Week, independent music has CMJ, the wellness industry has Spa Week and so on. All of these events garner major media coverage and (ironically) many of them use bars, lounges and nightclubs as venues for their events. If the nightlife industry took a cue from these groups, they could create a special marketing period to put themselves in the limelight (no pun intended).

There are a variety events that can occur during Nightlife Week to make it successful:

• Participating venues can have drink specials (similar to happy hour prices) and special menus to draw in both the casual drinker and the cocktail enthusiast.

• Music venues can have special performances from prominent bands and DJ's.

• New albums could be timed to drop during Nightlife Week.

• Flair bartenders and mixologists can make special appearances and participate in competitions.

• Dancers of all types can be brought in to perform and interact with the crowds.

• Art displays can be commissioned and unveiled in lounges.

• Tours of our various nightlife areas can be organized as package deals, giving visitors a chance to sample several venues every night.

• If possible, new venues can have their grand opening during this period to generate more prominence for the new club.

• Panels from prominent operators can discuss relevant political, economic and cultural issues in an open forum.

• An awards ceremony can be organized to recognize the best venues, operators and performers in a variety of categories.

• Liquor distributors, music companies, fashion companies and even car companies can promote goods and services that appeal to the patrons.

The number of possible events is endless but the underlying message would be constant; nightlife is important to the city for a variety of reasons that are just as important, if not more important than fashion or movies.

Nightlife Week wouldn’t simply help the nightlife industry. All the related industries that benefit from nightlife would get a boost as well. Airlines and hotels would get more bookings as people came in from out of town to be a part of it. Boutiques and clothing stores would sell the things patrons would wear. More people would ride in cabs, eat as restaurants and spend money in various ways because they were out in the clubs. Nightlife Week can create an economic ripple effect stronger than Fashion Week because so many more people can participate when they go out.

It might seem counter intuitive for nightlife operators to seek a partnership with other club owners who they compete against every night. The New York market has one of the most competitive nightlife industries in the world. Spending time and money on efforts that can assist others might feel like working with the enemy. But keep in mind that on this level we are talking about leveraging strength in numbers to improve the condition of all venues. Professional athletes compete with each other for spots on a team, and compete against other teams to win games, but they all come together as a labor union when it is time for collective bargaining with the owners of the teams. Designers compete against each other for sales, but few of them will turn down a chance to participate in Fashion Week. In the same way, clubs and lounges can compete with each other for talent, patrons and money, but come together in an effort to improve their image overall.

Nightlife Week isn’t an endeavor that can happen overnight and it might be several years before it gains the prominence of a Winter Music Conference, Fashion Week or Sundance. But the benefits that nightlife can gain in terms of improved image, increased social influence and higher revenues make the concept worthwhile. If fashion can do it, why can’t we?

Have fun.
Gamal