The Bars with the Beers for the Queers
For Pride Month 2022, Miller Lite partnered with Eric Cervini, an LGBTQ+ historian, creator of Discovery+ show Book of Queer, and author of The Deviant's War, to bring some history to light involving both queers and beers in a new book titled Beers & Queer History. The book features several bars that played a pivotal role in shaping the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the country.
Beers & Queer History highlights such establishments as the White Horse Inn in Oakland, Calif.; The Chicken Hut in Washington, D.C.; Club One in Savannah, Ga.; and, of course, The Stonewall Inn in New York, N.Y.
"It was thrilling as a historian to get an opportunity to dive into the stories of one of my favorite topics, historical queer spaces," Cervini said in a news release, adding that "queer history so often goes unshared with mainstream society."
The book also features details about the importance of the bars and how they factor into the LGBTQ+ rights movement and queer history.
Proceeds from the sale of Beers & Queer History will go to support Equality Federation, according to Miller Lite.
"We hope the release of this guidebook and its crucial lessons will inspire people to be more inclusive, to learn and to share their own authentic stories," said Sofia Colucci, vice president of marketing, Miller Family of Brands.
Below are illustrations that are featured in the book that accompany the specific queer histories of the bars.
Copies of the book can be bought at Miller Lite's website. The book costs $19.33, to honor the first known queer bar in the U.S., Cafe Lafitte in Exile in New Orleans, La., which has been in continuous operation since 1933 on Bourbon Street.
Black Cat Cafe in San Francisco, Calif.
White Horse Inn in Oakland, Calif.
The Chicken Hut in Washington, D.C.
The Stonewall Inn in New York City
Rusty's in Philadelphia, Penn.
Panic Barn in Lincoln, Neb.
Julius' in New York City
The Black Cat Tavern in Los Angeles, Calif.
Club One in Savannah, Ga.
Jeffery Pub in Chicago, Ill.
