What's In a Name?

What’s In a Name-Joy Silver


Some of you may remember New York's Sahara Club, in the 70's. Its history is one worth honoring- and we did so by introducing the Sahara as one of our dining rooms here at RainbowVision Santa Fe.

The “homosexual stigma” kept gay social spaces in “back regions” hidden from public view. These spaces were therefore vulnerable to illegal intrusions, such as criminal activities (many cities had Mafia-controlled gay bars) and police brutality and corruption (gay sexual activity often “hides” in red-light districts).

Because gay and lesbian clubs catered to people who were stigmatized or who engaged in “criminal acts,” bar owners in most American cities were forced to pay the police or organized crime for “protection.”

Lesbians or gay men rarely owned gay and lesbian bars.

In the East, during the mid 60’s, all clubs tended to be owned and controlled by organized crime families.

The Columbo crime family had concealed stakes in several bars, motels and cocktail lounges, including places patronized by “homosexuals.” A sideline in the operation of such spots was the blackmailing of wealthy or prominent patrons. The Genovese family was reported to control many of the bars and nightclubs in Greenwich Village and on Manhattan’s fashionable East Side catering to “sex deviates.”

Civil rights took a leap forward in the end of the 60's, for all minorities including gays and lesbians. Once the Stonewall riots occurred in the Village, there was no turning back. Ownership of clubs by those who also were patron/ matrons was now a possibility.

In New York, the first to risk disturbing this illicit economic boon to organized crime was the Sahara Club on 1st Avenue on the Upper East Side. The Sahara Club became the first bar owned and operated by and for women. Michelle and Leslie, who today continue as party promoters for women's social events, took this great risk in the late 70's.

Pat Benatar and Ellen de Generis were among the first to perform at The Sahara, launching their careers as prominent performers.