Today’s newsletter is presented by Evinco.
Hello, Uptown!
*sigh* San Diego lost another one.
On Sunday, SRO Lounge in Bankers Hill announced that it would be conducting its final night of service. While dive bars do not have the cultural cache they once did, considering that on average people are drinking far less than a couple decades ago, they’re still a watering hole of sorts.
It’s not entirely clear why SRO Lounge closed, but from the stories and memories shared for the folks who showed out on Sunday, it’s clear that it was a beloved local spot.
In case you are not entirely familiar, SRO was created to be a space particularly carved out for transgender and LGBTQ+ folks. While, of course, you don’t have to be trans to grab a stool and sit down, this was a space where trans people could do that and feel safe.
The safety inside didn’t insulate the bar from outside attacks. SRO’s closure comes nearly a year after a drive by pellet gun shooting injured two trans women outside the bar. Instances like these demonstrate pretty clearly why a space like this had to be created — and some San Diegans aren’t ready to see it disappear.
Paris Quion, the owner of InsideOut in Hillcrest and a local leader in the trans community, told my colleague Drew Sitton that she hopes, and is willing to help, a space like SRO Lougue rise up again.
“I personally am not giving up on continuing the legacy of SRO whether in the current space it is in or elsewhere … We can’t give up on our queer spaces, it’s just far too important and lifesaving,” she said.
For now, San Diego has one less LGBTQ+ bar, and one less space for members of our community to feel safe.
Tessa Balc
Uptown News newsletter host
Uptown story spotlight
Long-time bar SRO Lounge closes after 44 years of serving as ‘safe haven’ for trans community
By Drew Sitton • Times of San Diego
John Sanfilippo and Bryan Galvin opened the lounge in 1982 and it became a popular destination for cross-dressing and transgender San Diegans.
Uptown News thanks our corporate sponsors. Find out more about sponsorships and advertising opportunities here.
More Uptown news
Uptown News thanks our corporate sponsors. Find out more about sponsorships and advertising opportunities here.