Black Cat Tavern
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The Black Cat Tavern was an LGBT bar formerly located at 3909 W. Sunset Blvd. in the Silverlake section of Los Angeles, California.
[edit] History
In 1967, the night of New Years, several plain clothed police officers infultrated the Black Cat Tavern[1]. After arresting several patrons for kissing to celebrate the occasion[2], the self-unidentified police officers began beating several of the patrons[3] and ultimately arrested 16 more bar attendees which included 3 bartenders.[4] The bar was established only two months prior. This created a riot in the immediate area, ultimately bringing about a more civil demonstration of over 200 attendees several days later protesting the raids.[5] The protest was met by squadrons of armed policemen.[6] It was from this event that the publication The Advocate and organization Metropolitan Community Church (lead by Pastor Troy Perry) was born.[7]
These events pre-dated the Stonewall riots by over two years.
The Black Cat Tavern has since closed and is now a gay latin bar called Le Barcito.[8]
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Speaking Out
- ^ Timeline of Homosexual History, 1961 to 1979
- ^ The Tangent Group: Press Release regarding the 1966 raid on the Black Cat bar
- ^ The Tangent Group: Press Release regarding the 1966 raid on the Balck Cat bar
- ^ L.A., 1/1/67: the Black Cat riots. | The Gay & Lesbian Review Worldwide (March, 2006)
- ^ Speaking Out
- ^ Letters from Camp Rehoboth - September 14, 2007 - PAST Out
- ^ Los Angeles: You Gotta Fight For Your Right to Party
