In an oral history with the GLBT Historical Society, Coleman said, "We had our grand opening of the restaurant and hundreds of people were there. The police harassment did not stop with the move, however. And I really didn't make any money either, so I decided that was a lot of fun, but I couldn't make a living. I always was in the middle trying to break things up.
"The women got into so many fights, pulling hair and dumping beers over each other.
GAY BARS CHARLOTTE LICENSE
"By this time I had to put it in Peggy's name because I'd lost my license at The Front I was with her at that point."Ĭoleman told Boyd her logic for opening a gay men's bar. In an interview with Boyd which does not appear in Wide Open Town (but is held at the GLBT Historical Society), Coleman explained how the license for the bar was in Peggy Forster's name. The same year she opened The Golden Cask (1725 Haight St.). RIGHT: Charlotte Coleman with Roberta Bobba and Carole Migden at the 2009 Openhouse SF Spring Fling.
Faced with multiple specious morals charges, Coleman lost her license and The Front closed in 1962. Part of Coleman's reasoning for opening a bar in the downtown produce district was that it was relatively deserted at night and would escape the notice of police. "During the 1960 (Daughters of Bilitis) convention she closed down one night so we could have a party at her place." In an interview with Nan Alamilla Boyd in Wide Open Town: A History of Queer San Francisco to 1965, Del Martin said: The bar had a stage and a piano, and she had male and female impersonators as well as pantomime acts.įrom the very beginning of her Bay Area life, Coleman was involved in community politics. Unable to prove that she was lesbian, the reason for her dismissal was 'association with persons of ill repute.' But the up side of this firing was that she was given the money she had contributed to a retirement account, which was around $1,000 ($9,000 in 2020 dollars).Ĭoleman used that money to buy The Blind Mouse, a gay restaurant at 600 Front Street, and opened her first bar there, The Front, in 1958. Her phone had been tapped, her mail was read and she had been followed by investigators from the IRS. After working there ten years, she was called into an office and presented with a four-inch-high file of notes. Once here, she initially worked for the Internal Revenue Service. "For me, the only way I can take that mournful blanket off is to help and do things for the community and help them mourn and feel safe," Melton said.Īt Woodshed Lounge, the roses are only the beginning. Brafford plans to hold a benefit or fundraiser in an effort to raise money for the families of the victims.LEFT: Charlotte Coleman at Atlas Savings and Loan, Bay Area Reporter, 1980 RIGHT: Charlotte Coleman receiving an award, Bay Area Reporter, 1980 Melton said she's firmly believes love conquers all. "Every year we work with our city leaders, the police and fire department," Melton said.Ĭharlotte Pride has hosted and/or had a presence during vigils held in Charlotte.
"It absolutely brings up the discussion but it's a discussion we have every year," said Charlotte Pride's executive director, Kimberly Melton. "Charlotte police have been excellent," Brafford said. "They came by yesterday and said they're going to keep a high profile in the area."Ī spokesperson with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department confirmed they're making contact with the appropriate people in the wake of the tragedy in Orlando.Ī meeting was already scheduled with Charlotte Pride to discuss the upcoming parade and festival, which brings thousands of people to the city every year. Still, Brafford questions if more security measures will ever truly be enough to prevent an attack. Woodshed Lounge is already equipped with security cameras and guards on the weekends. Backpacks and large bags are also prohibited. The Orlando shooting has prompted Brafford to take another look at security in his bar. "I feel so much sympathy for the wounded too because they have a long period of recovery," Brafford said. "They came out to show this is not going to scare them, deter them from being who they are," Brafford said.īrafford is a longtime philanthropist and advocate for the LGBT community. He's even the survivor of a shooting.Ĭhannel 9 interviewed Brafford in August 2014 after he was shot several times in a robbery. Some took a rose home with them as they waited to hear if their friends were alright.