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On February 21, 1997, a projectile bomb exploded on the back patio of the Otherside Lounge as a busy Friday night crowd enjoyed their night. Night of the Otherside Lounge Bombing & Aftermath They were all out at their favorite lesbian bar, and they were safe – until the bombing. But the state would enact a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage in 2004 before things genuinely began to improve for LGBTQ Georgians.Īt least while at the Otherside Lounge, gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people could worry less about the political climate and just be themselves. In 1997, the same year of the bombing, Atlanta officially recognized the domestic partnerships of same-sex couples after the case went all the way to Georgia Supreme Court. In an interview with Georgia Voice, she said, “It was very important to me early on that I would have a business, no matter what it would be, where everyone was welcome: gay, straight, Black, white.”Ĭonditions for queer people in Georgia during the 1990s was improving slowly, but there were still few legal protections available to the LGBTQ community. When deciding to open the gay bar, McMahon pointed to the importance of providing a space where everyone felt safe and accepted. In 1990, they opened the Otherside Lounge and welcomed two children into the family, Kellyann and Justin. McMahon and Ford originally met on a blind date in Florida, fell in love, and moved to Atlanta. Otherside Owners Beverly McMahon & Dana Ford The holidays are often a particularly difficult time for the LGBTQ community, especially during an era where homophobia ran rampant and few laws existed to protect gays and lesbians from discrimination. The Otherside Lounge served as a safe haven for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and trans people thrown out of their homes or otherwise disowned by family members and friends for being who they are.īeverly McMahon and Dana Ford kept the nightclub open on holidays, even Christmas and Thanksgiving, and it became a home for those without a welcoming place to go. The gay nightclub hosted drag queen events and themed nights, such as jazz, hip-hop, and country.īut this Atlanta lesbian bar was more than just a popular hangout for LGBTQ people to meet others and be themselves in the discriminatory times of the 1990s. At the Otherside Lounge, queer patrons enjoyed a large dance floor, pool tables, and quieter lounge areas with a full-service bar where they could relax and have a drink.
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Opened in 1990, the Otherside Lounge on 1924 Piedmont Road was a favorite local lesbian bar and nightclub in Atlanta. A urology center operates at that address today. Some of the better-known ones are Brushstrokes/Capulets, Boys Next Door, Intersection, Broke & Bougie, and Junkman’s Daughter.A current view of the Otherside Lounge’s old address at 1924 Piedmont Road. Shopaholics can spend their days shopping at some of the numerous gay-inspired shops and boutiques.
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There are so many things to do in Atlanta – from pub crawling and historic attractions to outdoor adventures and spa experiences – that you will easily find something to pick your interest. A hub of entertainment and relaxation, Atlanta offers a wide variety of attractions that will please every traveler. Midtown is the center of gay community in Atlanta, but there are districts where gays and lesbians can have a good time as well, like East Village or Decatur.
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Most of them are a bit spread out, so make sure to designate a driver if you decide to hit the gay scene. With a mixed and relaxed gay scene, it’s easy to see why Atlanta was crowned the “Gay Capitol of the South”.Ītlanta is famous for its bustling gay nightlife, so you will find many gay bars sprinkled across the city. Home to a thriving and diverse gay community, festivals, fine arts, and trendy neighborhoods, Atlanta can please even the pickiest gay traveler.