It was the only heated exchange with anyone associated with the bar, though an employee who was escorted out later received loud “boos” from the crowd. It’s about people being united.”Ĭhants of “if we can’t drink, no one drinks,” and “Black Trans lives matter here” continued as the group formed a semi-circle in the intersection and around the entrance to the bar.Įarly in the protest, a security guard from inside the bar came outside to address protesters, who offered to pay his daily rate if he would join them. “We’re going to make some noise,” Ferguson said.
The protest blocked the intersection of Liberty and Smithfield Street for nearly three hours, and activists shared stories and called on white and heterosexual allies to stand with them.
The bartender later notified us of the new dress code and that we were not following it.” “We sat down and ordered a round of drinks and began to talk about the work we are doing. “Immediately when entering, we were told that we had to remove our hats and sunglasses,” he wrote. He described his experience Saturday night in the statement. Management at 941 Saloon could not immediately be reached.ĭalen Michael was one of the two who were turned away from the bar, according to a statement from True T Pittsburgh, one of the groups that helped organize the demonstration. “Apparently it’s a gay bar for a certain group of people and not for everybody,” Ferguson said. to make reservations at one of the many amazing downtown Pittsburgh restaurants. The bar is listed among the gay bars on the LGBTQ portion of Visit Pittsburgh’s website, and it’s been known as a gay bar throughout the community for years. There are many excellent gay bars, lesbian clubs, drag clubs and bars.