That would be Gloria Gaynor, who TMZ reports demanded that the Abbey remove all shirtless men and go go boys from her line of sight during her performance at that gay bar and restaurant on Thursday.
TMZ said a Gaynor representative said her request didn’t reflect a distaste for gay men, but stems from her religious beliefs. He noted that she also refuses to be photographed next to women in sexy garb.
At least Gaynor won’t have to worry about being cited by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, which in recent months has cracked down on WeHo gay bars for the “lewd conduct” of their go go boys. In December, the ABC folks closed Here, the gay lounge next door to the Abbey for one month, citing such behavior.
The Abbey, at 692 N. Robertson Blvd. south of Santa Monica, was opened 22 years ago as a coffee shop by David Cooley and has long been viewed as one of the most popular gay bars in California, if not the United States. But since its acquisition in 2006 by SBE Entertainment, whose founder, Sam Nazarian, is heterosexual, some gay customers have complained that the Abbey has lost its gay edge, noting the large number of straight women who go there and the fact that many of the shirtless male bartenders aren’t gay. Cooley, in an interview with Out magazine, confirmed that the intent is to make the Abbey a mixed venue. “That’s what our goal is, right? Not going to a straight bar, gay bar, black bar, Latino bar — but a place where everyone can feel welcome,” he told Out.
The Abbey’s acquiescence to Gaynor’s demand is likely to add fuel to the verbal fire raging in Boystown, the area on the western end of West Hollywood’s Santa Monica Boulevard where the city’s gay bars, restaurants and shops are clustered. Some see an effort by business and civic interests to “de-gay” the area to attract bigger outside investors and improve. In fact, Here’s Pat Rogers, in an interview with WEHOville, said he would entertain the idea of a night or a straight crowd if it would improve business.
I decry the de-gaying of this town and will no longer patronize The Abbey. Kookie is absolutely right. Too much estrogen already here! I just want to be surrounded by guys sometimes. And BTW, WEHOAN . . . , some of us older guys have to go to the bathroom and linger there because we’re OLD! Learn a little about our prostates, please. No one likes to wait there for several minutes waiting for “the second coming.” Trust me. It’s embarrassing enough! Don’t makes assumptions.
Well did the Church pay her that nite or the Abby?
Of course, I meant Branson, MO., but she can head to Laughlin too for all anyone cares.
So if she wants to play Vegas but only if the slot machines are turned off and cocktail waitresses agree to wear pants suits, the casino owners would agree to her demands? She can always head to Laughlin, MO. though her music might be too cutting-edge for that crowd.
Bobcat, you may be remembering Donna Summer who was ostracized for things she reportedly said, until it was discovered she had never said those things at all and the source of the rumor was a known liar. She was a devout Christian and there were some assumptions made about what she “probably” would say. I once knew some close friends of her’s and they said she was deeply hurt by those accusations.
If I remember she was ostracized by the gay comunity way back when for the same thing ,,,,,,,,,let her survive somewhere else see if a church will pay her
a) This is a non-issue. Plenty of performers make demands. I can think of worse things than asking that gogo boys aren’t distracting from her performance. She explicitly says it wasn’t anti-gay. But someone clearly needs to fan the flames of another “controversy.” b) West Hollywood nightlife is never going to be “taken over” by straight people. Everyone just take a Xanax. I think it could stand for a little diversification, though. There are no bars for gays who aren’t looking to make trips every 10 minutes to the bathroom or bounce around to the latest diva-wannabe remix. Nowhere explicitly… Read more »
Well, maybe she can’t say goodbye, but I can, “bye felicia”
I had a conversation with a WeHo gay bar manager about 2 months ago. He doesn’t work at Abbey or Here. He’s straight. He’s still employed. It begin with him saying this: “You do know that big changes are coming to West Hollywood right? The bar owners have already gotten together and decided on the direction that they want nightlight to go, and it doesn’t include you.” He forelorn of west hollywood reaching out to become the new “Hollywood nightlife” and a much more family, hetero friendly enviroment. The manager was upset about it. He’s straight, but he sites the… Read more »
This is totally fair. When The Gay-Gay’s, the All-Gay Male Go-Go’s Celebration! would play the Eagle LA, we would RESPECTFULLY request that the erotic art films be replaced with our DVD of “The Facts of Life”. So I say “you go Miss Gaynor” PS I LOVE VALERIE CHERISH’S VERSION OF YOUR SONG!!!!
Gloria Who? Whatever….
I really don’t have a problem with her request. Performers often do things like that. But my issue is with Sam Nazarian, a straight man who now owns the Abbey and is looking to make it more of a mixed venue. And just who is it that is expected to adjust so that can happen? Gay guys, THAT’S who! This is exactly what Alfredo Diaz has been trying to tell us will happen with Cooley’s; in a few years someone else will come in to take over Cooley’s and all the assurances that have been given as to how it… Read more »