For as long as same gender loving Jamaicans have existed in Jamaica it's safe to say there have been gay spots for entertainment for the community to unwind and de-stress, from one of the first major clubs in New Kingston at the time to house parties to other smaller joints and clubs around Kingston in some of the most unlikely of places. The hip and the elite also had their own shin-digs in uptown locations and were often held by invitation only to weed out certain types at that time. Older gays folks in their late sixties and seventies speak of two clubs on Waltham Park Road in the early seventies and other major spots in "uptown" Kingston via what oral histories we can capture from those surviving members of the community. The capital of course was the place to be except for the occasional out of town weekend retreat type event usually done on or around a major holiday.
The Closet:
One of the first major same gender loving spots in Jamaica started in 1974 situated in the then business district and newly developed New Kingston strip and was operated by a well known business man, Peter Frazer, then the monster of homophobia was not so caustic by virtue of class of many of its patrons there were not exposed to any possible anti gay rhetoric in the very class and colour conscious seventies. It was more a bar than a dance club but the disco songs and music which was the rage at that time were spun by the resident DJs on vinyl records and dancing was in, not posing in a get together with hot clothes to see who could outdo whom. The "fighting" element was not a feature then as it was about just pure enjoyment and good music.
Cherry's:
This was a pub in the heart of Kingston near the now Central Police station on East Queen Street in the seventies when Jamaica was much more quiet and not as violent towards gays and lesbians. It was known to a certain extent what transpired at the night spot which was also frequented by music stars and straight persons as well, all round it was a meeting place of sorts. There was a motel nearby where persons would overnight if they had too much to drink or would patronise the local commercial sex workers business who were always present nearby to catch their customers. It is not clear whether male CSWs operated their at the time as CSW work was still considered a very taboo subject. The joint eventually was phased out by the eighties. The operator Miss Cherry is now abroad.
The White Lady
This was a mainstream joint in Spanish Town St. Catherine at the time that was operated by a caucasion bisexual the name was given to it by the local patrons at the time as he was said to have been somewhat effeminate and as words like "battyman" never existed at the time it was a kind of satirical jest used amongst the "sports" to identify the spot. It was deemed more a bisexual or downlow spot (even though the downlow phenomenon was not so mainstream and a matter of public discussion) as mixed crowds were seen there according to a source who used to be a fixture there, the former owner whereabouts are unknown but if one wanted a same sex hookup all one had to do was ask the right people.
The White Lady
This was a mainstream joint in Spanish Town St. Catherine at the time that was operated by a caucasion bisexual the name was given to it by the local patrons at the time as he was said to have been somewhat effeminate and as words like "battyman" never existed at the time it was a kind of satirical jest used amongst the "sports" to identify the spot. It was deemed more a bisexual or downlow spot (even though the downlow phenomenon was not so mainstream and a matter of public discussion) as mixed crowds were seen there according to a source who used to be a fixture there, the former owner whereabouts are unknown but if one wanted a same sex hookup all one had to do was ask the right people.
Marhall's:
This was a club that was in the Hills of St. Andrew and was well supported by the community it ran for a good five plus years before the mainstream media and tabloids such as the Enquirer (now defunct) wormed their way in as guests and exposed the venue with embellished stories of sexual impropriety thus the activities came to a halt as many persons feared being seen at the venue. The owner at the time was known as Marshall (his real name) and offered the latest in music including the underground Chicago house music servings which the drag queens thoroughly enjoyed plus the then newly introduced dancehall that was taking the nation by storm. He came out to a recent discussion on February 23, 2011 during a public meeting on Black history month called Open Mic Open Soul where he reminded older folks like myself of the early problems in the community some of which are still with us such as homelessness and gay on gay violence, his reputation though as a club promoter though was the main matter of the evening. He recalled the early days of police harrassment of his establishment and the tabloid press's hounding and putting out stories casting a cloud on his activities. He remained resolute in carrying on business as he was determined to see his patrons happy at best while making that needed pink dollar.
There were other party promoters but without the rivalry that now exists with some strange and disastrous results and he expressed his concerns about the happenings briefly. He also touched briefly on the other communities such as the lesbian and bisexual communities.
There were other party promoters but without the rivalry that now exists with some strange and disastrous results and he expressed his concerns about the happenings briefly. He also touched briefly on the other communities such as the lesbian and bisexual communities.
The Entourage Club:
Probably the most popular gay club in History owned and operated by the late activist and JFLAG's co-founder Brian Williamson where he turned his Office complex by day into a hip music pumping high action night spot. It was one of the few gay entertainment spots listed in the Spartacus annual publications complete with telephone number and directions at one point. Spartacus of course is the Bible of all things in gay entertainment at the time and the elite publication prided itself of being the authority on such, it was considered a plus for any club, villa or hotel to be listed in it, The Entourage was secure as Mr. Williamson had armed private security teams and cameras to see to his patrons' safety, a new phenomenon in LGBT entertainment at that time. The music servings were great as well with many DJs passing through serving reggae, house, r & b, soca and dancehall (non murder music type) as Brian insisted. DJs were suspended at one point if they violated the rule, I was one such on two occasions. The occasional fight or two did not stop proceedings and he instituted a membership only system for a while to control the bad eggs but some original patrons who were very territorial weren't happy with the mix of unruly "kidz" and a new hipper generation hooked on voguing and sassy dancehall styles. The club was exposed in the media several times with one story claiming that members of a police raid saw men kissing each other and having sex on the dance floor which turned out to be false when the Senior Superintendent Ionie Ramsey arrived one Sunday morning in the height of fevered dancing and shouting. One other Star News story carried photos of motor vehicles parked at the then Haughton Avenue address with registration plates in full view.
However Brian kept the facility opened despite pressure from the business district, church groups, the occasional prying eyes and repetitive tabloid references where the club was situated bearing in mind that offices on his property were rented by the gentleman as well. At one stage a former tabloid named the The Enquirer (a local version of the US print but much racier) carried a damning piece that he Bryan was harbouring boys there suggesting he was a paedophile. He did eventually close as competition came on stream from other house party and moving target venues and the police claiming he didn't have the proper permits to operate hosting so many persons with the requisite fire and exit stipulations. It was in the very area where the bar and dance floor was in the original floor plan where he was murdered in 2004 after he converted the area into a lovely living space. It is on the Entourage's premise and structure that nearly all other clubs and spots since then have built their products on catering to the community. Those Jamaicans who still reside here or abroad in their thirties or fourties have fond memories of that small but hip spot and often reminisce.
Club Escape:
This was the other spot that took the place of the Entourage in a sense (not to be confused with the mainstream club Escape that was in New Kingston on Knutsford Boulevard) but never filled the huge shoes that the Ento as it's sometimes referred to wore, it was well attended by the young hip crowd, University and the white collar typed folks. It lasted for almost 4 years before closing as it's location was in fact a residential area and many nights police did arrive to close the proceedings down or to cut the noise level often times working for a smalls (payola)..... they would allow the events to go till 4am rather than the 2am cut off time. It was operated then by a two friends and was reopened under the management of two females at another location carrying on the tradition.
Other short lived spots:
The Office in New Kingston was probably the only mainstream spot at that time that allowed lesbian events to take place before it folded late last year 2008. Other spots since have extended space rental for same gender loving events usually at a higher premium than the market rates. There were other private spots in the hills of St. Andrew that made them well attended as they were away from the glare of the public's gaze and folks felt safe to mingle and socialise. The original Deck was another short lived spot that lasted just under two years that attracted more white collar type patrons in the hills of St. Andrew and attracted many celebrities because of where it stood but so called ordinary folk and even members of the drag community made the occasional Saturday night treck as no other steady spot were open at the time of its operation.
Other parties have been held by gay friendly celebs or mixed parties as well where gays and str8s mingle these are usually exclusive and by invitation only. Sophies was operated by a lesbian couple who would often compete with Escape and the Entourage before they were closed, they still operate privately hosting exclusive events for her loyal fans. Halo also was a short lived spot that ended when again media intrusion by operatives posing as gays or are gays themselves who for what ever reasons seem to conspire with newspapers got wind of the spot hence the article about noisy gays sometime ago. That spot has since been rented as a party venue by respective party promoters and is known known as the "Boardfloor" due to its old time board flooring in sections of the building.
Calabash
Calabash was one of the last ventures opened in the western part of the island and was privately managed until recently where a series of shootings have occurred thus putting a damper on things for some time, events still do occur but are low keyed. Club Heavens is the present hot spot in rural Jamaica where several events continue to date with upcoming fashion and drag queen shows and parties planned. They have developed a reputation for ending their parties at 8 or 9am on Sundays. Small rural spots have popped up as well with well coordinated network for advertising events and ticket sales where applicable. The infamous Kling Kling Villa has not been used since the trouble with the police in that part of the island and a certain JFLAG Programs Manager who now resides overseas, the unfortunate wide circulation of a private party DVD of an event that was recorded there and also the threats by those same rogue cops to the property's care taker then so the decision was taken not to rent to the community.
All in all Same Gender Lovers in Jamaica have found ways to entertain ourselves despite the problems we have but life goes on.
The Loft, The 'New" Deck and Couture Oasis
New spots have emerged since with the two main stayers being the Loft in Kingston and the Couture Oasis Bar which recently won the Best Hang Out Spot award at the 2011 Grammy Awards party. Both spots have been holding their own with the latter also doubling as a home for an advocacy group known as The Underlined Response. The Loft also acts as a temporary meeting spot for some advocacy issues and the occasional wake for brothers who have departed this life. The Loft will celebrate their first anniversary on October 30th with a series of events for 2011 despite the challenges and a recent Star News hint to the spot.
The "New" Deck
A revived property situated in North East Jamaica that used to host private LGBT parties some years ago owned by an older still lively character we all know as "Indeed" as he usually ends his sentences with an elongated "Indeed!!!" the spot now carries some uber fierce events as of late but many complain as was with Club Heavens in St. Ann of the long trek to get there although the events tends to go on for long hours sometimes till five in the mornings.
O.P.E.N
An all female joint owned by a male businessman but who specifically caters to same gender loving women with a full cadre of female DJs, given its location it would make sense to house that kind of joint there as a volatile area is nearby and given the homo-negativity to male homosexuality or aesthetics women are more tolerated. They have offered some very interesting servings for their clientelle which is good in my eyes as the ladies can also have a space for themselves to party and socialize. The acronymn does not really have a meaning per say save and except for it being opened to women as the given reason by one of the managers of the club.
Other mainstream venues that I won't mention here just yet are also allowing LGBT typed events usually for a little more than the typical market price and also with strict guidelines attached probably in fear of exposure and the risks involved. New players also have made the entry into the business and so has changed the diversity and quality of offerings to an ever expanding and younger hip LGBT audience with all identities under the umbrella making themselves visible.
Added UPDATE for 2011
The Loft, The 'New" Deck and Couture Oasis
New spots have emerged since with the two main stayers being the Loft in Kingston and the Couture Oasis Bar which recently won the Best Hang Out Spot award at the 2011 Grammy Awards party. Both spots have been holding their own with the latter also doubling as a home for an advocacy group known as The Underlined Response. The Loft also acts as a temporary meeting spot for some advocacy issues and the occasional wake for brothers who have departed this life. The Loft will celebrate their first anniversary on October 30th with a series of events for 2011 despite the challenges and a recent Star News hint to the spot.
The "New" Deck
A revived property situated in North East Jamaica that used to host private LGBT parties some years ago owned by an older still lively character we all know as "Indeed" as he usually ends his sentences with an elongated "Indeed!!!" the spot now carries some uber fierce events as of late but many complain as was with Club Heavens in St. Ann of the long trek to get there although the events tends to go on for long hours sometimes till five in the mornings.
O.P.E.N
An all female joint owned by a male businessman but who specifically caters to same gender loving women with a full cadre of female DJs, given its location it would make sense to house that kind of joint there as a volatile area is nearby and given the homo-negativity to male homosexuality or aesthetics women are more tolerated. They have offered some very interesting servings for their clientelle which is good in my eyes as the ladies can also have a space for themselves to party and socialize. The acronymn does not really have a meaning per say save and except for it being opened to women as the given reason by one of the managers of the club.
Other mainstream venues that I won't mention here just yet are also allowing LGBT typed events usually for a little more than the typical market price and also with strict guidelines attached probably in fear of exposure and the risks involved. New players also have made the entry into the business and so has changed the diversity and quality of offerings to an ever expanding and younger hip LGBT audience with all identities under the umbrella making themselves visible.
Keep on.
Peace and tolerance
H
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