Pearl Bar is a lesbian-specific
LGBT
' is an initialism that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. In use since the 1990s, the initialism, as well as some of its common variants, functions as an umbrella term for sexuality and gender identity.
The LGBT term ...
Q+ bar located on Washington Avenue between the Heights and Montrose neighbourhoods of
Houston
Houston (; ) is the most populous city in Texas, the most populous city in the Southern United States, the fourth-most populous city in the United States, and the sixth-most populous city in North America, with a population of 2,304,580 i ...
, Texas.
[{{Cite web , last=McKenzie , first=Zachary , last2= , first2= , date=2023-03-02 , title=Mother of Pearl – OutSmart Magazine , url=https://www.outsmartmagazine.com/2023/03/mother-of-pearl/ , access-date=2023-06-20 , website=www.outsmartmagazine.com , language=en-US][{{Cite web , last=Dellinger , first=Hannah , date=2020-09-15 , title=Pearl Bar gets preservation grant during pandemic , url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Pearl-Bar-gets-preservation-grant-during-pandemic-15569523.php , access-date=2023-06-20 , website=Houston Chronicle , language=en-US][{{Cite web , last=Byrd , first=Sam , title=Putting The L In LGBT: Julie Mabry's Pearl Bar Is A True Gem , url=https://www.houstonpress.com/arts/get-to-know-the-struggle-and-success-behind-houstons-only-lesbian-bar-11578099 , access-date=2023-06-20 , website=Houston Press , language=en] It is the only lesbian bar in Houston, one of only two in the state of Texas, and fewer than 25 in the United States.
[{{Cite web , last=Grieder , first=Erica , date=2023-05-10 , title=Owner of Houston lesbian bar says anti-drag efforts threaten to close Pearl club , url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/drag-shows-pearl-bar-backlash-18091546.php , access-date=2023-06-20 , website=Houston Chronicle , language=en-US] It is known for hosting a variety of events including female-specific DJs, crawfish boils, dildo races and drag performers.
History
Pearl Bar was launched in 2013 by Julie Mabry, a lesbian event promoter and local entrepreneur who understood the need for spaces that specifically cater to women within the LGBTQ+ community.
[{{Cite web , date=2021-06-27 , title=Why Pearl Houston is the perfect place to celebrate Pride , url=https://abc7ny.com/pearl-bar-julie-mabry-houston-lesbian/10817008/ , access-date=2023-06-20 , website=ABC7 New York , language=en]
In 2020 Pearl Bar was one of ten LGBTQ+ businesses across the United States to receive a preservation grant from national non-profit the
Human Rights Campaign and
Showtime
Showtime or Show Time may refer to:
Film
* ''Showtime'' (film), a 2002 American action/comedy film
* ''Showtime'' (video), a 1995 live concert video by Blur
Television Networks and channels
* Showtime Networks, a division of Paramount Global w ...
, intended to assist with preserving the venue as a cultural landmark.
In 2022 Pearl Bar was featured in a dedicated episode of the
Lesbian Bar Project
The Lesbian Bar Project is a campaign created by Erica Rose and Elina Street to "celebrate, support, and preserve the remaining lesbian bars in the US." The project launched on October 28, 2020 with a PSA video narrated by Lea DeLaria that annou ...
, a campaign and documentary series created by Erica Rose and Elina Street, exploring and celebrating the remaining lesbian bars in the United States.
[{{Cite web , last=Strangeways , first=Michael , title=“The Lesbian Bar Project” Returns With New Episodes On Roku Plus A Bus Tour , url=https://seattlegayscene.com/2022/10/the-lesbian-bar-project-returns-with-new-episodes-on-roku-plus-a-bus-tour/ , access-date=2023-06-20 , website=Seattle Gay Scene , language=en-US]
In 2023 owner Mabry noted that Pearl Bar had been denied business insurance for the first time due to hosting drag shows, which she attributed predominantly to Texas' proposed anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
See also
*
List of lesbian bars
References
{{Reflist
External links
* {{Official website, https://www.pearlhouston.com/
* https://www.lesbianbarproject.com/
{{Authority control
Lesbian culture in Texas
LGBT drinking establishments in Texas
2013 establishments in Texas
Lesbian history in the United States
LGBT history in Texas