3 queer women, 1 Honda SUV, and the last lesbian bars in America. There are less than 25 of these spaces left in the country. Cruising Podcast follows creators Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity on a cross-country road trip to visit each of these bars and share their stories.
Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jennifer McGinity
United States
Donate to Cruising | A Lesbian Bar Road Trip
The Cruising | A Lesbian Bar Road Trip podcast is an incredibly entertaining and informative show that delves into the stories of the women behind lesbian bars. It is a uniquely human podcast that touches both the heart and mind. The episodes provide a great deal of nuance while being super informative, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in LGBTQ+ history and culture.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is how it showcases the touching and inspiring stories of the women who run and frequent these bars. The hosts do an excellent job of preserving their legacies and capturing their experiences. It's uplifting to hear about the sense of belonging that these bars create for listeners who may not have heard many stories like theirs before. Additionally, the interviews with elders are particularly inspiring as they offer insights into the rich history of lesbian culture.
Another positive aspect of this podcast is its lighthearted and fun nature. It feels like going on a road trip with friends or sitting down at a bar next to a queer elder with incredible stories to tell. The hosts bring warmth and humor to each episode, creating an enjoyable listening experience. The soundtrack adds to the fun atmosphere, making you chuckle and even cry at times.
If there is one critique to be made, it would be that the podcast should come out weekly instead of on a regular schedule. This is simply because it's so addictive and engaging that waiting for new episodes can feel like torture.
In conclusion, The Cruising | A Lesbian Bar Road Trip podcast is an absolute gem in terms of entertainment value and educational content. It celebrates queer and lesbian history while connecting it to the present day in a beautiful way. The storytelling is excellent, providing listeners with an insightful view into a culture they may be unfamiliar with. This podcast will leave you feeling warm, grateful, and inspired by the incredible individuals behind these bars.
This week, we sit down with Angela Denise Davis, the creative director and podcast host for ZAMI NOBLA - the National Organization of Black Lesbians on Aging. She's also a scholar, organizer, minister, and Ukulele instructor. ZAMI NOBLA, founded in 2011 by Angela's partner Mary Anne Adams, is the leading advocacy organization dedicated to empowering Black lesbians over 40. Angela breaks down her experiences with aging and vision loss, her 10 months of training with the National Federation of the Blind, and coming to terms with her queerness as a Christian minister. Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review! -For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook - Learn more about ZAMI NOBLA -Follow ZAMI NOBLA on Instagram -Listen to the ZAMI NOBLA Podcast -Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, Olivia Travel -Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISING -Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you! -Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover art is by Nikki Ligos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For the first time, we feature two interviews - two dykes, from two different generations - on the same concept: Dyke Drag. First, we'll hear from I'm Baby, a Brooklyn drag performer who started an event they call "Dyke Drag" which brings gender-diverse drag to sapphic spaces around the city. In Act 2, we meet Denise Gaylord, a local Ptown lesbian who ran an annual brunch also called "Dyke Drag" back in the 90s. Tune in to find out how, together, they brought Dyke Drag back to Ptown! Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review! -For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook - Follow I'm Baby and Dyke Drag on Instagram -Order Denise's original Dyke Drag Brunch book! -Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, Olivia Travel -Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISING -Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you! -Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover art is by Nikki Ligos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Robin Tyler is a history-making activist and stand-up comic, that's been on the scene since moving to New York City in the 1960's. Robin is a treasure trove of punchlines and queer history. She shares some of her most famous stories - like making a name for herself as a female impersonator, calling for 3 Marches on Washington, being the first out gay comic on national television, and successfully suing the state of California for the right to marry her late partner, Diane. Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review! -For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook -Check out Robin's website to learn more about her comedy and activism! -Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, Olivia Travel -Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISING -Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you! -Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover art is by Nikki Ligos. Logo is by Finley Martin. Support the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Greenham Common Women's Peace Encampment was an anti-nuke encampment outside of a US military base in England, that women (and loads of lesbians) occupied from 1981 all the way through 2000. Fed up with male-on-male violence, and society's expectations on women, Sue Say joined the protest in its very beginnings as an 18-year-old. There, every day was exciting, for better or for worse. Greenham women were evicted from their camps and terrorized by police every morning, they rebuilt every day, and by the end of the night found new creative ways to peacefully disrupt the military base next to them. Sue talks all about living in an anarchist society, overcoming her fear of arrest, and Greenham's 80/20 breakdown of lesbians to non-lesbians. You'll also get some additional insights from another Greenham woman, Oak Chezar, who lived at Greenham from 1985-1988. Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review! -For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook -Follow Sue on Instagram -Check out Oak's book about her time at Greenham -Learn more about Greenham Common through Greenham Women Everywhere -Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, Olivia Travel -Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISING -Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you! -Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover art is by Nikki Ligos. Logo is by Finley Martin. Support the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Valery Hughes is a retired nurse who spent her career working in HIV/AIDS care and research. She coauthored Nurses On The Inside: Stories Of The HIV/AIDS Epidemic In NYC with her colleague, Ellen Matzer, after working together in designated AIDS units for many years. Valery takes us behind the scenes of some of the city's busiest hospitals - from crossing paths with her first AIDS case in 1979, to all of the stigma around the disease, and the patients that touched her most. We also hear how Valery met her wife Mary working at Roosevelt Hospital (now Mt. Sinai), the other queer women they worked with, and how they all hung out at the original Cubby Hole (now Henrietta's) after-hours. Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review! -For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook Follow Valery's book "Nurses on the Inside" -Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, Olivia Travel -Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISING -Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you! -Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover art is by Nikki Ligos. Logo is by Finley Martin. Support the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kristen Becker is a standup comedian and activist based out of Provincetown, Massachusetts. Becker also has a long history of touring, living, and organizing in the Deep South. In 2006, she founded the "Dykes of Hazard," an all-lesbian comedy group that toured the Deep South for a decade. In 2014, Becker testified before the Louisiana State Legislature in support of the Louisiana Non-Discrimination Act. From there, she set out on a tour called "Loosen the Bible Belt" with pastor Jay Bakker. In 2017, she founded "Summer of Sass," a nonprofit that hooks queer teens up with a job and housing, and flies them out to Ptown for a summer on the gay beach. More recently, she crashed out at a fancy party and secured $3 million worth of funding for her program. You'll have to stick around til the end for that story! Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review! -For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook -Follow Kristen Becker @KristenBeckerComedy -Follow Summer of Sass @SummerofSass -Donate or find out more about Summer of Sass -Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, Olivia Travel -Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISING -Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you! -Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover art is by Nikki Ligos. Logo is by Finley Martin. Support the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
You might know this week's guest, Tracy E. Gilchrist, as "the queen of queer media" or simply "the holding space lady." She reached internet fame last year when her interview with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande went viral during the Wicked press tour. But it goes without saying that Tracy is a whole person, who has lived a whole life, outside of that one video. Tracy has worked in queer media since the 90s - specifically covering queer entertainment and pop culture news for outlets like The Advocate and Out Magazine. We discuss how she ended up in this position of having basically interviewed every queer-adjacent person in Hollywood, first crushes / kisses / girlfriends, and the lesbian pop culture moments that shaped us. In Act II, we break down her viral moment and everything that comes along with that. Who had she seen holding space for the lyrics of defying gravity? When did she first clock the finger-hold? What does she really think of Ariana and Cynthia, and have they exchanged words since? We get into it... Watch the full viral video starting at 02:46 Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review! -For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook -Follow Tracy E. Gilchrist @tracyegilchrist on Instagram and Threads -Explore more of her work at her website tracyegilchrist.com -Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, Olivia Travel -Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISING -Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you! -Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover art is by Nikki Ligos. Logo is by Finley Martin. Support the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Barbara Smith is an award winning author, scholar, and activist. She is most well-known for co-authoring the Combahee River Collective Statement with two other queer Black women - her twin sister Beverly, and friend Demita Frazier. Barbara joins us to unpack the personal history that informed her groundbreaking Black Feminist politics. We discuss her multi-generational upbringing, growing up in Cleveland during the Civil Rights Movement, lesbian nightmares, and what she really meant when coining the phrase "identity politics." Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review! -For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook Follow Barbara on instagram @thebarbarasmith46 on Instagram Learn more about her work at her website. -Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you! -Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover art is by Nikki Ligos. Logo is by Finley Martin. Support the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For our first episode of season 3, Sarah sits down with long-time activist and radical organizer, Michelle Crone. Now in her 70s, Michelle has spent the better part of her life organizing women and building community in the upstate New York/Albany area. At 18, she began doing service work with communities in the Appalachian Mountains, but soon had to flee the country for (undoubtedly radical) reasons she is not allowed to talk about. She spent many of these years living in intentional community ("the lesbian nation") with other women, complete with talking sticks, ritual, and consensus-based decision making. In the summer of 1983, she started the Seneca Women's Peace Encampment, a demonstration in protest of nuclear weapons and warfare. She later went on to organize for the 1987 and '93 Marches on Washington, spearheading the only action to have ever successfully shut down the Supreme Court. In her charming, blunt manner, Michelle dives into all of these stories and countless other tales of lesbian community and creative activism. Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review! -For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook Help save Michelle Crone's lesbian home in Provincetown through her GoFundMe. -Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you! -Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover art is by Nikki Ligos. Logo is by Finley Martin. Support the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Cruising: Beyond the Bars will premiere next Tuesday February 4th, but we're doing things a little differently this season! Each episode will be a candid conversation between our host, Sarah, and a history-making lesbian or queer person about all kinds of sapphic spaces - not just bars! We'll cover queer bookstores, farms, peace encampments, line dancing, women's music, dyke drag and so much more! Tune in every other Tuesday to learn all about the rich history of queer spaces and community. Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review! -For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook -Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you! -Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover art is by Nikki Ligos. Logo is by Finley Martin. Support the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Lillian Faderman is a world renowned, award winning LGBTQ+ and lesbian historian, scholar, and author. Her books include Surpassing the Love of Men, Odd Girls and Twilight Lovers, Gay L.A., The Gay Revolution, Woman: The American History of an Idea, and many others. We've interviewed her once before, and we've quoted her in many of our other episodes. This extended interview was recorded in 2023 in Lillian's home, and includes some of Lillian's expertise on lesbian history and culture throughout the 20th century as well as stories from her own life. This episode is a part of a series we're calling Cruising the Archives. We're featuring extended interviews with LGBTQ+ icons from our own archives, as well as from the collections of queer and lesbian archives throughout the country.Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover art is by Nikki Ligos. Logo is by Finley Martin.Support the Show.
This week, we're sharing the story of Ms. Mabel Hampton, in partnership with The Lesbian Herstory Archives. Ms. Hampton (1902-1989) was an African-American lesbian, an activist, a dancer, a singer, and a domestic worker. She was also a dear friend and mentor of Joan Nestle, one of The Lesbian Herstory Archives' founders. Between 1976 and 1988, Joan Nestle sat down with Ms. Hampton numerous times to record a series of oral history interviews. We've pulled bits and pieces from these tapes to share some of Ms. Hampton's life story. The Lesbian Herstory Archives is home to the world's largest collection of materials by and about Lesbians and our communities.This episode is a part of a series we're calling Cruising the Archives. We're featuring extended interviews with LGBTQ+ icons from our own archives, as well as from the collections of queer and lesbian archives throughout the country.Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover art is by Nikki Ligos. Logo is by Finley Martin.Support the Show.
In 1963, white supremacist terrorists bombed the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, killing four young black girls. Despite the FBI and local investigators identifying four key perpetrators, no one was charged. Until 1977, when Pete Smith, a trans man, worked with the FBI to testify against and convict his uncle, Robert Chambliss. In partnership with Invisible Histories, we are releasing this 1988 interview with Pete. This episode is a part of a series we're calling Cruising the Archives. We're featuring extended interviews with LGBTQ+ icons from our own archives, as well as from the collections of queer and lesbian archives throughout the country. Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover art is by Nikki Ligos. Logo is by Finley Martin. Support the Show.
Happy Pride Month!! Starting this month, we will be releasing a series of episodes that we're calling Cruising the Archives. We're featuring extended interviews with LGBTQ+ icons from our own archives, as well as from the collections of queer and lesbian archives throughout the country. First up: Patricia McCombs. In December of 1974, Pat noticed that she and her Black and latinx friends were being discriminated against at CK's, a North Side Chicago lesbian bar. In this interview, you'll hear all about how she and the community successfully protested discrimination at CK's and how Pat went on to establish “Executive Sweet” a roving lesbian party that catered to Black women. Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover art is by Nikki Ligos. Logo is by Finley Martin.-Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, Olivia Travel-Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISINGSupport the Show.
Redz is a little known former lesbian bar in East LA, which opened in the 1950s and catered primarily to Chicana lesbians. This is the story of one woman in particular who called this space a home: Nancy Valverde. Nancy is most known for her long fought battle with the LAPD over masquerading laws, spending dozens of nights in jail throughout the 1950s for her refusal to wear typical women's clothing.Nancy passed away in March of 2024 just six months after our interview with her. This episode is for her. Thank you to Nancy.This episode features interviews with: Nancy Valverde (conducted by Sarah Gabrielli and Rachel Karp in 2023 and by Lillian Faderman in 2004, courtesy of the June L Mazer Archives) and Jacquie and Keith Evans.Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover art is by Nikki Ligos. Logo is by Finley Martin.-Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, Olivia Travel-Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISINGSupport the Show.
There's a new dyke bar in Bushwick, and it's called The Bush! These are the stories of humans that run it, and the humans that call it a home.Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode!This episode features interviews with: Nikke Alleyne, Justine LaViolette, Macon Reed, Loretta Andro Chung, and Sarah Hallonquist. Check out Macon's work here. Order Dyke Beer here.Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.-Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, Olivia Travel-Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISINGSupport the Show.
Our full interview with Summer, security at Doc Marie's.Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.-Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Olivia Travel and Honda-Discover Olivia at olivia.com/experience and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISINGSupport the Show.Support the Show.
In 2018, the Hershee Bar community showed up at a series of Norfolk City Council meetings to fight for their bar. This is the story of Hershee Bar, the humans that ran it, and the humans that called it a home.Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode!This episode features interviews with: Annette Stone, Jennifer Alomari, Andria McClellan, and Mamie B Johnson, as well as excerpts from 2018 Norfolk City Council meetings featuring various members of the local LGBTQ+ community. Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.-Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, Olivia Travel-Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISINGSupport the show
Cruising is a documentary podcast about lesbian bars, the humans that run them, and the humans that call them a home. Not sure where to start? You don't have to listen in order! Pick your favorite city or your favorite bar and dive in.Season 1 follows creators Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity on their 2021 cross-country road trip to visit and document every lesbian bar in the U.S. Season 2 chronicles the current lesbian bar resurgence AND takes listeners back in time to historic lesbian bars of decades past!-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.Support the show
Alice Brady owned and ran various lesbian bars throughout New Orleans between 1952 and 1978. The most notable was called Alice Brady's. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode!This episode features interviews with: Ellen Frayle, Frank Perez, Diane DiMicelli, Randy Elwood, and Cindy Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook-Want to support Cruising and help us keep our content free and accessible? Join our Patreon! -Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.-Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, Olivia Travel-Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISINGSupport the show
When Mara and Emily opened The Ruby Fruit in 2023, Los Angeles hadn't had a lesbian bar since 2017. It is named after Rita Mae Brown's iconic lesbian novel Rubyfruit Jungle, and self-described as "a strip mall wine bar for the sapphically inclined." Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode!This episode features interviews with: Mara Herbkersman, Emily Bielagus, Denise Jones, and Anna Goodman.Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Want to support Cruising and help us keep our content free and accessible? Join our Patreon! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.-Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, Olivia Travel-Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISINGSupport the show
Established in 1965, Lost and Found was the longest running lesbian bar in Chicago until it was sold in 2011 and became Lizard's Liquid Lounge. Join us as we celebrate former Lost and Found regular Linda's 80th birthday at Lizard's, and hear the stories of the community members who've found a safe space at this bar over the years.Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode.This episode features interviews with Linda Barsaloux, Tracey Baim, Michelle Jones, and BarbThank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Want to support Cruising and help us keep our content free and accessible? Join our Patreon! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-Want more LGBTQ+ history and stories? Follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.-Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, Olivia Travel-Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISINGSupport the showSupport the show
In February of 2020, Dorothy Downstairs first opened its doors in Chicago. A month later, they were forced to close when the city shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic. About 2 years later, they reopened, and they've been a staple of the Chicago queer community ever since! Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode!This episode features interviews with: Lillian Faderman, Zoe Schor, Whitney LaMora, and Rainn Thomas.Zoe and Whitney are fundraising to open Chicago's only queer-focused wedding & event venue in the space above Dorothy Downstairs! You can support this next endeavor HERE.Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Want to support Cruising and help us keep our content free and accessible? Join our Patreon! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.-Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, Olivia Travel-Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISINGSupport the show
Mona Sargent (born Mona Nystrom) is widely credited as the owner of the first lesbian bar in San Francisco, and perhaps the first public lesbian bar in United States. Between 1933 and 1950 she owned a series of bars in clubs in San Francisco: Mona's, Mona's Barrelhouse, Mona's 440 Club, The Paper Doll, and Mona's Candle Light. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode.This episode features interviews with Beth Lemke, Clay, and Lillian Faderman. The episode also features archival tape of interviews with Mona Sargent, featuring Rikki Streicher and Reba Hudson, conducted by Nan Alamilla Boyd as a part of the Wide Open Town History Project, Courtesy of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society (collection 2003-05).Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Want to support Cruising and help us keep our content free and accessible? Join our Patreon! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.-Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Olivia Travel and Honda-Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISINGSupport the show
Rikki Streicher opened Maud's in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco in 1966. The bar would be a fixture of the lesbian community there until it closed its doors in 1989. It's memorialized in the 1993 documentary Last Call At Maud's and in the hearts and minds of all those who called Maud's a home over the years!Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode.This episode features interviews with Paris Poirier, Karen Kiss, Susan Fahey, Mandy Carter, and Jeanne Clarke, as well as audio excerpts from Last Call at Maud's. The episode also features archival tape of interviews with Rikki Streicher conducted by Nan Alamilla Boyd as a part of the Wide Open Town History Project, Courtesy of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society (collection 2003-05). Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Want to support Cruising and help us keep our content free and accessible? Join our Patreon! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.-Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Olivia Travel and Honda-Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISINGSupport the show
Our full interview with Ray, bartender at Doc Marie's.Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Want to support Cruising and help us keep our content free and accessible? Join our Patreon! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.-Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Olivia Travel and Honda-Discover Olivia at olivia.com/experience and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISINGSupport the show
In the summer of 2022, the city of Portland excitedly awaited the opening of a new lesbian bar: Doc Marie's. It didn't go as planned. Join us as we uncover the full Doc Marie's story, exploring the dark side of the internet, the nuances of queer culture, and the unexpected challenges of opening a business. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode.This episode features interviews with Aundrenee Nash, Brandy Feit, Olga Bichko, Ken Batali, Robin, Anna, Danica, and Shane O'NeillThank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Want to support Cruising and help us keep our content free and accessible? Join our Patreon! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.-Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Olivia Travel and Honda-Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISINGSupport the show
Our full interview with Anjali Kumaran, regular patron at The Sports Bra. Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Want to support Cruising and help us keep our content free and accessible? Join our Patreon! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.-Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Olivia Travel and Honda-Discover Olivia at olivia.com/experience and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISINGSupport the show
Last April, Jenny Nguyen opened the first women's sports bar in the entire world: The Sports Bra.Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode!This episode features interviews with: Jenny Nguyen, Thu Nguyen, Jen Barnes, Sadee Terwort, and Christina Roberts.Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Want to support Cruising and help us keep our content free and accessible? Join our Patreon! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.-Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Olivia Travel and Honda-Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISINGSupport the show
This is our full interview with Teryl Lynn Foxx! Teryl is a renowned New Orleans entertainer, who has been winning titles across the country for decades. Her accolades include: Miss Gay Louisiana 1992, Miss Gay Mississippi 1994, Miss Tennessee Continental 1996, Miss Essence International Classic 2014, Miss Daytona Beach Continental Elite 2016, and Miss Continental Elite 2016. Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Want to support Cruising and help us keep our content free and accessible? Join our Patreon! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.-Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Olivia Travel and Honda-Discover Olivia at olivia.com/experience and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISINGSupport the show
Juanita Pierre and Leslie Martinez opened New Orlean's first Black-owned lesbian bar, Les Pierres, on the corner of Pauger St and N. Rampart St. No one can quite remember the exact date Les Pierres opened, but based on some other stories and dates, we can guess it would have been around 1980. This episode features interviews with Teryl Lynn Foxx, Juanita Pierre, Mike Pierre, and Emelda Sterling.Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Want to support Cruising and help us keep our content free and accessible? Join our Patreon! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.-Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Olivia Travel and Honda-Discover Olivia at olivia.com/experience and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISINGSupport the show
In December of 1977, Charlene's opened on the corner of Elysian Fields and North Rampart Street in New Orleans. This is the story of the woman behind the bar: Charlene Schneider, lesbian activist and pioneer. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode.This episode features interviews with Robert "Bobby" Fieseler, Linda Tucker, and Valda Lewis. It also includes archival tape of interviews with Charlene Schneider (1996 -1997) conducted by Marilyn McConnell, courtesy of Newcomb Archives and Nadine Robbert Vorhoff Collection, Newcomb Institute, Tulane University. Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Want to support Cruising and help us keep our content free and accessible? Join our Patreon! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.-Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Olivia Travel and Honda-Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISINGSupport the show
When we launched Cruising Podcast back in 2021, we had only twenty-one lesbian bars on our list. Little did we know, we were on the cusp of a lesbian bar resurgence. In the past two years, at least EIGHT new lesbian bars have opened across the country. And as Femme Bar co-owner Danielle Spring will tell you, Cruising is to blame for at least one of them!Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode.This episode features interviews with: Danielle Spring, Julie Toupin, Stephanie Yuhl, Jennessa Burks, and Peyton Chandler-Want to support Cruising and help us keep our content free and accessible? Join our Patreon! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover Art is by Finley Martin.-Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Olivia Travel and Honda-Discover Olivia at Olivia.com and save $100 on your next trip when you use promo code CRUISINGSupport the show
Did you know 8 new lesbian bars have opened in the U.S. since we launched Cruising back in 2021?! In Season 2, we're taking you to each of these new bars. And we're also heading back in time to explore lesbian bars of decades past. From 1930s San Francisco to 1990s New Orleans, and everything in between! Tune in to hear the stories of the humans that call these spaces home. Premiering November 7th, 2023.Want to support Cruising and help us keep our content free and accessible? Visit https://www.patreon.com/cruisingpod Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokLike our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman's work HERE!Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of: Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Season 2 of Cruising is Audio Engineered by Sarah, Story Produced by Sarah and Rachel, and Line Produced by Jen. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.Support the show
This is our full interview tape Ruthie Boirie. We usually only release full interviews on our Patreon page, but we feel like everyone deserves to hear the extended Ruthie story! Ruthie is a regular customer at Ginger's and the owner of Ruthie's Neighborhood Barbershop, a Park Slope staple for 26 years. She's also kind of a local celebrity. You can hear some of her stories in person AND get a great haircut by visiting Ruthie at her barbershop at 66 St Marks Avenue in Brooklyn, NY. --Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! -We have MERCH! Order by Monday, December 12th to get it in time for the winter holidays-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-Want more bonus content? Wan to support Cruising? Become a Patron at https://www.patreon.com/cruisingpod-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman's work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin. Support the show
Stop #21: Ginger's. When we left on our road trip to visit every lesbian bar in the U.S. last fall, our own neighborhood lesbian bar sat shuttered. Like all bars and restaurants in New York, Ginger's closed due to the pandemic in March of 2020. In September of 2021, we still had no idea if or when it would ever re-open. But a few weeks after we returned home from our trip, it was announced on Instagram; Ginger's was coming back! In our final episode of season 1, we're honored to share the stories of two women who are absolutely essential to the Ginger's community. There's Shiela Frayne, who opened Ginger's bar in 2000. She was born in Ireland and immigrated to the United States in her early 20s. She never for a second doubted Ginger's would re-open after the pandemic. And then there's Ruthie. If you've ever been to Ginger's, you have probably met Ruthie. Or maybe you know her from her barbershop, which sits about a mile north of the bar. She's a bit of a local celebrity...though she might tell you otherwise.Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Want to support Cruising? Join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/cruisingpod-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman's work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.-Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, HondaSupport the show
Hi Listeners!A quick update for you all: we know we are overdue for another episode of Cruising and that is because we are working hard on our season 1 finale!! Our season finale will feature our very own 'home' bar, Ginger's, located in Brooklyn. Keep an eye out for this episode to drop sometime in August. And yes, this means we will be coming back for a season 2!! Subscribe and follow along on social media for more updates.Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Want to support Cruising? Join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/cruisingpod-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman's work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.Support the show
Stop #20: Babes of Carytown. Babes of Carytown, or Babe's for short, has been around since 1979. These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that call it a home. Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Want to support Cruising? Join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/cruisingpod-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman's work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.-Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, HondaSupport the showSupport the show
Stop #19: The Lipstick Lounge. The Lipstick Lounge was established in 2002 in Nashville, TN. These are the stories of the humans that run is and the humans that call it a home. Jonda Valentine founded The Lipstick Lounge in 2002 because she missed the community and fellowship that the church once provided her. A few months later, Christa Suppan became co-owner, and has helped to foster a sense of family there for 20 years. Krystal, a performer and bartender, is a member of that family. As are Lynn Hearn and BB McQueen, who have been friends since age 16. They met writing and performing sex ed skits as peer educators with Planned Parenthood, and have been performing ever since. Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Want to support Cruising? Join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/cruisingpod-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman's work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.-Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, HondaSupport the show
Stop #18: My Sister's Room. My Sisters Room (MSR) is one of the longest running lesbian bars of the south. These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that call it a home. Jen Maguire got her start in the Atlanta queer scene doing drag. And today? She owns My Sister's Room with her wife, Jami Maguire. Jill works security at MSR, and the job has helped her cut down on drinking while still being an integral part of the community. Skyler raised funds for his top surgery at MSR--and landed a spot on Queer Eye chronicling his journey. And Madison, a regular at MSR, details the experience of being in Atlanta during the BLM protests following George Floyd's murder, and MSR's support during this time. Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Want to support Cruising? Join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/cruisingpod or visit www.cruisingpod.com/donate-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman's work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.Support the showSupport the show
Stop #17: Herz! Herz was founded in a Mobile, AL in October of 2019. It is a Black, queer, woman owned space. These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that call it a home. From the outside, Herz might be mistaken for a strip club. And that's intentional, according to co-owner Rachel. Rachel owns Herz with her wife, Sheila, who wanted to open a lesbian bar in her retirement. Kyler, a bartender at Herz, moved to Mobile from Birmingham, and immediately got a job at Herz. And Beyonce, who got his nickname from a group of bikers at another bar in town, bartends there as well. Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Want to support Cruising? Join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/cruisingpod or visit www.cruisingpod.com/donate-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman's work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.Support the show
Stop #16: Pearl Bar! Located in Houston, Pearl Bar is our second stop in Texas. These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that call it a home.Julie Mabry has wanted to open a lesbian bar ever since she visited her first one at 16 years old with her sister, Sarah. Sarah, who struggled through much of her adolescence, felt comfortable for the first time walking into that lesbian bar. And Julie noticed. Today, Julie owns Pearl Bar, and has created a safe haven there for all sorts of people. Like Paige, a single mom who picks up extra shifts with her Pearl Bar family when she needs. And Eve, who was born and raised in Lebanon, and came to the U.S. to live freely and openly. Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Want to support Cruising? Join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/cruisingpod or visit www.cruisingpod.com/donate-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman's work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.Support the show
Stop #15: Sue Ellen's! Sue Ellen's is one of two lesbian bars in the state of Texas. It's located in Oaklawn, Dallas's gayborhood. These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that call it a home.Kathy Jack, was 18 years old when she started frequenting the Dallas gay bars in the late 1970s. Now the General Manager of Sue Ellen's, Kathy has over 40 years of Dallas's LGBTQ+ history to share. Erica has been coming to Sue Ellen's since 2008, and she now runs a group called Lez Be Friends Dallas, which aims to build community and bring business to the bar. Shelly first started bartending at Sue Ellen's in 1994. And after leaving to pursue a 20 year career in teaching, she now finds herself back behind the bar.Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Want to support Cruising? Join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/cruisingpod or visit www.cruisingpod.com/donate-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman's work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cruisingpod)
Stop #14: YBR Pub! YBR is the third of Oklahoma's three lesbian bars. Its full name is "Yellow Brick Road Pub" but everyone calls it YBR. These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that call it a home.Kevie didn't know other gay people existed growing up in Checotah, Oklahoma in the 60s and 70s. But by 2000, she had opened her very own lesbian bar in Tulsa: YBR. Since 2000, YBR has been a home and a community to many. There's Amanda, YBR's General Manager; Sarah, former bartender and current therapist; and Erica, longtime YBR regular.Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! -Want to support Cruising? Join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/cruisingpod or visit www.cruisingpod.com/donate-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman's work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cruisingpod)
Stop #13: Frankie's! Frankie's is the second of Oklahoma's three lesbian bars. We visited Frankie's on a Tuesday, which happens to be family night at the bar. These are the stories of the humans we met there. Raven got her start in drag at 16, performing at the Wreck Room, Oklahoma City's now closed all-ages LGBTQ+ club. Nearly 30 years later, you can find Raven performing almost exclusively at Frankie's. Tracy has been going to lesbian bars in Oklahoma City since the late 1970s, and has owned Frankie's with her wife, Ann, since 2017. Holly helped Tracy and Ann get the bar up and running, and she and her partner Smokey are now regulars there. You'll have to listen to find out how Smokey got her name!Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! -Want to support Cruising? Join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/cruisingpod or visit www.cruisingpod.com/donate-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman's work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin. Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cruisingpod)
Stop number twelve: Alibi's! Oklahoma is the state with the highest number of known lesbian bars per capita, and is tied with only New York for the state with the highest number of lesbian bars total. Alibi's is the first of Oklahoma's three lesbian bars. These are the stories of the humans that run Alibi's and the humans that call it a home. Lily discovered Alibi's shortly after moving to Oklahoma to take care of her Grandmother. Krystal took over Alibi's in 2013, and met her wife Tiffany at the bar shortly thereafter. Lisa, a bartender at Alibi's, got her first taste of LGBTQ+ nightlife at 15, going to the now closed Oklahoma City underage dance club, the Wreck Room. And Sarah (along with her dog Oreo) has found a home at Alibi's--a place where she can truly be herself. Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-Want to support Cruising? Join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/cruisingpod or visit www.cruisingpod.com/donate-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman's work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin. Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cruisingpod)Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cruisingpod)
Stop number eleven: Boycott Bar! What started as a bi-weekly pop-up party ultimately became a permanent fixture of the Phoenix LGBTQ+ nightlife scene. These are the stories of the humans that run Boycott Bar and the humans that call it home.Audrey Corley, the owner of Boycott, can often be found behind the bar with a wireless microphone in hand, amping up the crowd. And Nick, a longtime bartender and Boycott's unofficial "resident medic" is often right by Audrey's side. While the two of them serve up drinks with admirable speed, they are incredibly diligent about making sure their patrons have a safe ride home. Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-Want to support Cruising? Join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/cruisingpod or visit www.cruisingpod.com/donate-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman's work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin. Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cruisingpod)
Stop number ten: Gossip Grill! Established in 2009, Gossip Grill is located in San Diego's "gayborhood" Hillcrest. These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that call it home.Moe Girton opened Gossip Grill after "accidentally" turning another bar where she bartended into a lesbian bar. Elisha was kicked out for being gay at 17, and found a home and a family working at Gossip. Lisa is at Gossip at least a few nights a week, and we were lucky enough to meet her when we visited. Lisa is a member of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a charity organization comprised of queer and trans nuns working to combat shame, spread love, and serve their communities. Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-Want to support Cruising? Join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/cruisingpod or visit www.cruisingpod.com/donate-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman's work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin. Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cruisingpod)
Stop number nine: Wild Side West! Wild Side West, now located in San Francisco's Bernal Heights neighborhood, has been around for nearly 50 years. These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that have called it home.Pat Ramseyer opened the bar in 1962 at it's original location in Oakland, CA, and successfully ran the bar until she passed in 2010. Billie Hayes inherited the bar, and despite having never even bartended, kept it alive and well for the years to come. And Sandra May has been visiting Wild Side West since she moved to San Francisco from Texas in 1970 at age 20. Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-Want to support Cruising? Join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/cruisingpod or visit www.cruisingpod.com/donate-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman's work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin. Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cruisingpod)
Stop number eight: Wildrose! Wildrose, located in Seattle, WA, has been around since its opening night party on New Year's Eve ringing in 1985. These are the stories of the humans that have called it home.Bryher Herak founded Wildrose, running the bar for fifteen-plus years while balancing a successful law career. Lamar Van Dyke ran a tattoo shop next door to Wildrose for eighteen years, and was of course a regular customer. And today, Martha Manning and Shelly Brothers run the Wildrose in an ever-changing Capitol Hill neighborhood. Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-Want to support Cruising? Join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/cruisingpod or visit www.cruisingpod.com/donate-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman's work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin. Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cruisingpod)
This is our full interview with Shirley J. Ever since visiting Nobody's Darling in Chicago, it was clear we had to get an interview with Shirley. Not only is she a regular there, but everyone refers to her as The Mayor of Nobody's Darling. It a fair amount of tracking down and persuading, but we finally got Shirley on the phone. We started by talking about her life as a young queer person in 1970s Chicago. Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-Want to support Cruising? Visit www.cruisingpod.com/donate-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman's work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.