L.A. Gay Bars, Bathhouses Briefed on Terror Precautions

The world changed on June 12, especially for places catering to LGBT patrons. Following the mass shooting at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, LGBT businesses nationwide are beefing up security and precautions.

While gay neighborhoods across the country remain anxious over last month's attack, the feeling may be even more acute in West Hollywood. On the same day as the Pulse shooting, an Indiana man was arrested in southern California with an arsenal of ammunition and explosives; though his intentions are unclear, he told police he was heading to the L.A. Pride festival in West Hollywood.

To assuage fears and better prepare business owners, the Los Angeles LGBT Center organized a meeting last week between owners or managers of more than a dozen local bars and bathhouses -- including Akbar, Faultline, Hamburger Mary's, Mickys, The Abbey, The Eagle, Oil Can Harry's, Melrose Spa, North Hollywood Spa, and Slammer -- and Los Angeles police and fire department officials, Wehoville reports. West Hollywood Sheriff's Capt. Holly Perez, who's already advised gay bar owners on keeping their employees and patrons safe, stressed the importance of identifying places people can hide and escape should an active shooter enter the premises. Many Pulse victims had difficulty getting out of the small nightclub.

Los Angeles Police Department officials are distributing a 31-page document to owners and managers called "Best Practices for Nightlife Establishments," where the department advises on potential escape routes and the appropriate number of security personnel. At last week's meeting, there was specific concern among managers of bars like Micky's and The Abbey, which feature outdoor areas on Santa Monica Boulevard where people congregrate and socialize. Police are working on plans to beef up security at open-air spaces like these.

"Active shooter training" is also happening at businesses located in the gayborhood but not specifically catering to LGBT people. Perez's team recently met with employees of OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network, which has an office in West Hollywood.