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#TBT: From the Weird to the Scary — Gay Bar Ads, 1969

#TBT: From the Weird to the Scary — Gay Bar Ads, 1969

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See how far we have come since the days of bars called "The Closet."

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Granted, the times were scary. Gay bars in Los Angeles still went through periodic shakedowns by the police. There were secret codes, like a song change or the lights flashing, to let you know to find a female partner to dance with. Female impersonation was still illegal in some areas, although performing in drag was not. Compared to now, 1969 was still the dark ages of gay.

Clownx633_0A drunken grabby-handed clown. Sure, I'm up for that, but only if they serve brunch.

Soundofmusicx633_0Wait. Is this a bar for leather queens into show tunes? If so, I'm there!

Closetx633_0A great place to run into that cute guy from accounting, your high school vice-principal, or maybe even your dad.

Terry-and-snakex633_0Sometimes a snake is just a snake. But this isn't one of them.

Balconyx633_0Fun! Fun! Fun! And a rest-room.

Littlecavex633_0 If you didn't see him at The Closet, try here.

Meatmarket02x633_0 Yes, meat, we got it. OK.

Sewersofparisx633_0 Old-timers still talk about this place -- must have been fun. Great artwork by the prolific illustrator Sean.

Brigx633_0I go for the naked sailors and the 10-cent hot dogs.

Misdemeanorx633_0 Foreshadowing Devo and the Talking Heads.

Fourstarx633_0 Another great illustration by Sean for the classic L.A. bar.


Occupy_davidsx633_0 Occupy David.

Goliathsx633_0See you there with the other savages. Wear your barbecue grill as a vest. It's so hot right now.

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Christopher Harrity

Christopher Harrity is the Manager of Online Production for Here Media, parent company to The Advocate and Out. He enjoys assembling online features on artists and photographers, and you can often find him poring over the mouldering archives of the magazines.
Christopher Harrity is the Manager of Online Production for Here Media, parent company to The Advocate and Out. He enjoys assembling online features on artists and photographers, and you can often find him poring over the mouldering archives of the magazines.