The Smoking Banana

Thursday, July 30, 2015

 
Attack Details

What: Homo Happy Hour
When: Friday, August 14, 6-9 pm
Where: Cheer Up Charlie's, 900 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701, (512) 431-2133
Wear: WHITE tee to be signed and decorated by everyone 

For more information on this and other invasions by the Austin
Outpost of the Guerrilla Queer Bar see http://www.smokingbanana.com/

[Note: When I started the Austin Outpost of the Guerrilla Queer Bar on July 25, 2000, I had no idea that we'd embark upon a 15-year journey together. So much has changed in Austin's gay community over the years. The AIDS crisis was still in full swing. 4th St seemed like the eastern edge of downtown and most of us confined ourselves to our little ghetto. I've had the pleasure of leading so many of you out into the rest of Austin, introducing you to the vibrant bar scene outside of our comfort zone. Together, we explored our wonderful city each month and invaded straight bars 178 times! Our mission was part tour group, part missionary, part diplomacy, and a lot of camaraderie.

But times have changed and our mission is no longer clear. Just last month, the gay rights movement took a huge step forward with marriage rights recognition and we experienced a massive, spontaneous outpouring of public support. And while we now have therapy and PRep for managing HIV, the crisis has shifted from hospice care to lifelong health management. And let's not forget that just about every form of STD seems to be on the rise! What the next 15 years will bring is anybody's guess. The idea of a guerrilla gay bar no longer seems relevant, but there is one last thing we can do together. Given how far we've come, it seems appropriate that our last happy hour not be held in a "straight" or "gay" bar, but a bar that's comfortably inclusive and welcoming to everyone.


Some final directives:

• Please wear a white tee shirt and bring a marker, stickies, and other things to decorate it with and commemorate our time together with a custom, souvenir shirt.

• This will be a DJed party with cool vibes by DJ Daddie Dearest. Come prepared to vibrate with us.

• Please spend generously at the bar. 5% of the proceeds will benefit the AIDS Services of Austin Paul Kirby Fund. The Octopi have graciously lent their time and resources to help us make a meaningful contribution. Do plan on arranging a safe ride home for yourself!

• The 5% mentioned above is actually Stan Wilson's contribution. Please join me in the DJ MATCH CHALLENGE. I will match Stan's 5% contribution. Will you? Everyone who participates in the challenge, will be invited to a special invitation-only gathering of friends where we'll pat each on the back and do something nice for one another :-) Reply to this email if you want to participate in the DJ MATCH CHALLENGE.

• Finally, bring money. You will have an opportunity to make a direct contribution to ASA. They will have a table on the premises. Over the years, GQB has never spammed you with email solicitations and as a result we have been fortunate to have been joined by representatives from AGLIFF to city council to personally share their messages with us at our events. This month, please welcome and support ASA's mission in our one-and-only ask for your donation over the last 15 years.

It's been an honor and a pleasure. See y'all soon.

--r, leading from behind]

About the Octopus Club and the Paul Kirby Fund
The Octopus Club is a grassroots all-volunteer organization dedicated to raising funds and awareness for the Paul Kirby Emergency Fund at ASA through annual events and parties. Since its founding in 1989, the Octopus Club has raised more than $2.1 million for the fund, assisting more than 800 ASA clients.

The Paul Kirby Emergency Fund provides emergency financial assistance to individuals infected with or affected by HIV and AIDS. These funds are distributed to individuals for basic living needs on a case-by-case basis. Services paid for by the fund include assistance with emergency food, housing and utilities, medical care, medication, and transportation.

DJ Match Challengers (as of 8/3/15)
STAN WILSON
Lew Aldridge
Bob Dailey
Marc Leitman
Jim Lommori
Rich MacKinnon & John Rebok
Lee Manford & Casey Blass
Richard MacKinnon 9:43 PM

Thank you for your support of The Smoking Banana.