RainbowVision: NGLCC LGBT Business of the Year

From Joy Silver's acceptance speech 11/6/09:

My name is Joy Silver, and I am the President and CEO for RainbowVision Properties, Inc. Thank you Wells Fargo, and thank you, National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce for this great honor.

In these challenging times, the New Success is Survival. So tonight, I accept this award for every business in this room that has survived. I am here to accept this Award for the RainbowVision Properties Principals Joyce Bogosian, Ava Stern and Jay Geisinger, and for RainbowVision Santa Fe LLC, the group of investors of who took the risk of investing money in a The Dream, with a new company, doing something that had never been done before, in an unsubstantiated and untested market. I am here to accept this award for the three original banks that also took the risk, and for the two New Mexican local banks who continue to be supportive to our project.
I am here to accept this Award for the RainbowVision Management Group of all the Managers, Directors and Employees of RainbowVision Santa. I am here to accept this award for Mayor Coss and the City of Santa Fe, Governor Bill Richardson and the State of New Mexico and especially, I am here to accept the award for the LGBTQI and A Residents and Members of RainbowVision Santa Fe itself.
Thank you all for RainbowVision Santa Fe the Dream Your Heart Made come True, and for this great honor.


To view the video behind the scenes: http://www.nglcc.org/BIZ/Video/joysilver

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.

Thank You, Truman Capote

Last week I put together a piece for “The Spectrum” - RainbowVision Santa Fe’s community newsletter. The piece was about Truman Capote, who we have honored by naming the library for. His spirit must have been demanding recognition, because suddenly everything Capote surrounded me.

First, I found a book about him in the room I was staying in. It consisted of interviews of people who knew him, peppered with interviews by the author of Capote as well. Then, I found a history of Hollywood’s nightclubs and restaurants, starting with its advent about 1915. Any book like that would have to eventually include Capote, since he was a well know figure in LA and NYC, particularly in places that served alcohol.

But the event that brings it to the EERIE level is the film on TCM, which I happened to have on, at some odd hour of the day I never watch TV. There was Truman Capote himself, in a ridiculous murder mystery farce that include stars like Dom Deluise, Peter Falk and Maggie Smith. Truman Capote was strange and wonderful, brilliant and terrible, and above all, never hid his sexual orientation. His bravery gave heart to many of us to accept ourselves, and to be out. At least, I know he did that for me. Truman, I miss seeing you on those TV Talk shows, and thank you, for your brilliance.