Well, I guess we’re not going to Two Bucks for a drink. Last week, after a lightning social media response to a racial incident in which African American patrons were ejected for no apparent reason, the corporate powers that be closed the bar, apparently for good. It seems the franchise holder, allegedly inebriated, decided the black patrons weren’t drinking enough and tossed them out. The bouncer, an African American himself, and bartenders quit on the spot. Social media exploded and a boycott was initiated. Corporate representatives of the Two Bucks national chain arrived in town and interviewed the parties involved. Their findings resulted in a revoking of the bar’s franchise. Within days, Two Bucks was gone, a casualty of today’s heightened awareness of our nation’s racial and cultural divide.
Back in the 1980s, Milwaukee gay bars routinely got away with the same sort of racial discrimination. In response, the local chapter of Black and White Men Together, a national gay men’s organization for racial equality, policed the bars to insure men of color would not be denied access or harassed. I can recall the scene in the old Factory in the Third Ward. On weekends, the back bar was almost exclusively black. The front of the bar was almost exclusively white. But, at least black patrons were allowed in. I also recall a stranger, apparently in an attempt to start a conversation with me, used an incredibly offensive opening line. It was at M&M’s one busy night. Seated around the piano was a mixed group of lesbians; some were African American. The stranger looked over at them then turned to me saying, “I didn’t know they let those people in here.” I wasn’t sure whether “those people” referred to women in general or specifically the black women. Well, actually, I knew exactly what he meant.
Maybe it’s a Wisconsin thing. Our racism doesn’t seem to be the Southern, dyed-in-the wool kind. It seems almost naïve and founded more in a simple lack of exposure to anyone other than pasty, beige Caucasians. Milwaukee’s LGBT population includes a lot of refugees from straight white bastions like Brookfield or burgs up north. It should be of no surprise that when they escape to the big city, they have problems assimilating. Many may just be more comfortable with cows and Hodags than with black or brown people. But still, no matter what the excuse, despite our celebration of diversity, the awkward reality is we can be as segregated as the rest of the city. Even our key organizations and boards of directors are predominantly white. If board “diversity” exists, it’s often token—it looks better on grant applications. There are exceptions, of course. PrideFest has been recognized for its all-welcoming atmosphere and diverse attendance. The various LGBT sports teams have a fairly good cultural spectrum represented as well.
Still, the Two Bucks saga should be a lesson. The LGBT community may be a little ahead of the curve but we need to improve. Diversity is one thing, inclusion quite another.
