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Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Chi Chiz, one of New York City's oldest gay bars catering to gay men of color in historic Greenwich Village is in danger of closing. Details are a bit sketchy as this story is still developing.
"The bar was recently shut down temporarily for one night by New York police after drugs were confiscated on the premises, but were open for business the next day following the incident", DJ Baker host of the New York based Da Doo-Dirty Show tells loldarian.com.
While Chi Chiz has become a staple in New York's black gay community for decades the bar has also become a favorite of Village Voice columnist Michael Musto who has written about the establishment frequently over the years.
"Chi Chiz also features many artists who have no other outlets to showcase their photography and art and provided support for Christopher Street: The Series and black gay films Finding Me & The Ski Trip", notes Christopher Street creator Dwight Allen O'Neal.
A hearing has been scheduled for tomorrow morning in New York City to determine the future of the bar.
In an e-mail to black LGBT constituents O'Neal acknowledged the difference of opinion on the existence of Chi Chiz in New York's black gay community:
"A few of my colleagues do not support my stand on this assistance and have said drugs are sold there, the people are too hood, and I am glad they closing and my response is… Those same activities happen in almost every NYC establishment; that is not the owners fault. Lets come together to offer solutions toward shifting these abuses", said O'Neal.
Chi Chiz will become the second black gay bar in the New York City area in recent months to face closure following the Starlite Lounge located in Brooklyn. More details as this story develops.
Court hearing info below:
March 10th, 2010
60 Centre St.
Room 315
9:30 AM
4 Comments:
BABY... REGARDLESS OF WHAT GOES ON THERE. IF IT STAYS OPEN THEY CAN CHANGE IT, IF IT CLOSES THEY CANT CHANGE IT AND ITS JUST ANOTHER PLACE THAT THE CITY IS TAKING AWAY FOR BLACK GAY MEN TO GATHER. WHICH BEGS THIS QUESTION IS IT BETTER TO HAVE OR HAVE NOT?
March 09, 2010 7:11 PM
The black kids of NYC deserve something bigger and better than Chi Chiz. However, if Chi Chiz closes I don't see anything bigger or better replacing it anytime soon and that's extremely sad. It's even more sad that people who are very aware of the limited options available to us, still choose to disrespect and take what little we have for granted. We won't miss it until it's all gone.
March 09, 2010 8:34 PM
It's so damn funny when folks always claim the CITY is taking away things from Black Gay Men... the bottom line is.. if the STAFF of Chi Chiz weren't corrupt, none of the issues they face would surface.. sometimes the best remedy of clean up is at your own doorstep.. if there are ex-druggies, ex-cons, hustlers, pornstars as security personnel ..what makes u think they will do anything rightfully for the establishment... that's like hiring a bank robber as a cashier?!!? It is what it is, and people need to stop sugarcoating things and put the real out on the table..
March 10, 2010 8:23 AM
Sense of entitlement much? Last time I checked, bars were private establishments, NOT city run facilities. Want a better bar for black gay men? BUILD or BUY one.
March 13, 2010 5:20 PM
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