Image courtesy of Nuestro Stories.
Homophobia in the Latine community is firmly rooted in the Spanish Catholic indoctrination of indigenous peoples. Today, queer spaces within the community are increasingly rare, so those that exist have a great responsibility.
For 33 years, the nightclub Esta Noche proudly carried that commitment to the Latine LGBTQ+ community, trying to escape racism and homophobia.
This is its story.
A Unique Alliance
In the 1970s, the Latino LGBTQ+ community didn’t have many safe places in San Francisco. They either had to coexist with the white community and survive racism or commune with the conservative society and be shunned for their sexual orientation.
GALA (The Gay Latino/Latina Alliance) was born out of that impossible place.
At first, it was a magazine that saw the light in 1975. Later, GALA became one of the most influential voices for the visibility of the Latino LGBTQ+ community in the United States.
As a political and social organization, GALA gave a voice to gays and lesbians in the community. Its meeting place? Esta Noche.
The venue was founded by GALA members Anthony Lopez and Manuel Quijano, and they gave up their space for the organization’s meetings. Still, they also saw Esta Noche as a refuge for Latinos fleeing racial aggression and fetishization.
The first of many
Esta Noche became the first Latine gay bar in San Francisco’s Mission District, but the process was not easy. Lopez and Quijanos were victims of the difficulties for minorities in obtaining liquor licenses and other permits.
Esta Noche opened in 1979 and became a place where Latines could be free, speak and listen to their music in their language, and feel safe.
The bar hosted comedy nights and top-rated Drag Queens’ shows. In addition, during the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the bar promoted safe sex, distributed condoms, and held fundraisers for various charities.
For many years the bar fulfilled its mission of being a haven for the Latine LGBTQ+ community without closing its doors to other communities.
However, in 2014 the bar fell victim to gentrification. Despite several campaigns to cover the expenses necessary to keep it standing, Esta Noche closed its doors.
Fun facts:
- Anthony Lopez and Manuel Quijano sold their homes to buy Esta Noche.
- Esta Noche was the last nail in GALA’s coffin. The group ended up disbanding due to sexism and the marginalization of queer women.
- Cuban-American transgender activist Adela Vazquez frequented the bar with her musical performances, HIV/AIDS prevention campaigns, and fight for transgender rights.
- One of the characters in the HBO series “Looking” worked as a bouncer at Esta Noche.
Location: San Francisco, California
Address: 3079 16th St, San Francisco
Google 360⁰ View: Visit the place where Esta Noche lived for 33 years, here.
