Appleton gay bars
The Crossroads was opened in Appleton in by two lesbian lovers, Lori Locy (or Loey?) and Karen Davis. The bar was fairly large in size: one very large room, with a long bar along most of the east wall, and plenty of space for a large section of video games and tables, and a large-screen TV for Packer and other games. It was relatively popular, especially in lesbian circles, and also had a good patronage by some straight people.
With Rascals bar also on Wisconsin Avenue, some customers jumped back and forth.
When Appleton passed a smoking disallow in bars, business began to decline- and while other businesses quickly recovered, Crossroads struggled. The bar was closed for several weeks in July-August and rumors where that a sale was in the offing; but the bar reopened around August 21, However, sometime in the spring of the bar closed for good.
The building was torn down in mid, and replaced with an Advance Auto Parts store.
Rascals has long been a gay refuge in Appleton
APPLETON - As this city's only gay bar, Rascals Bar and Grill is about more than drinking.
Regulars can rattle off names of friends they've met at the East Wisconsin Road establishment, and list examples of when they were at Rascals for vital milestones — a wedding reception, the celebration of the legalization of same-sex marriage or a holiday.
"This place is my second home; these people are my family," said Josh McKenney, a bartender there. "This is where I come to be with my people."
Once again last week, Rascals went from watering hole to refuge, as hundreds gathered for a vigil in the aftermath of the massacre at a queer nightclub in Orlando.
That feeling of refuge has been a calling card for Rascals for 24 years.
Tanya Harper, who's been going there at least once a week for more than a decade, met McKenney there, and now the two are best friends. He was in Harper's wedding.
Whether it's the June 11 mass shooting in Orlando or the U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage, "or any other major event in
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Lived in Appleton during the mid nineties. Set up it quite homophobic and very conservative. Just wondering if the area has become more progressive? Thanks. |
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Fox Valley is a bit more open minded now, There are a couple of bars and Harmony Cafe which is in league with Goodwill Industries. There are support groups for the LGBTQ Many meet in Appleton. Green Bay and Oshkosh also own special groups and Lawrence U has some curriculum as well as execute other colleges. |
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West was for many years Appleton's most widespread gay/ lesbian bar, and for a time its only bar. But you could never tell from its activities: they always acted as though they had healthy competition, keeping patrons coming back with a continual flow of specials, parties, shows, guests, etc. West was both a popular dance prevent, and also hosted many shows. Among many other shows, they hosted annual Mr. and Miss West shows, and the first two Wisconsin King of Kings and Queen of Queens pageants. Owners Andy Lehman and Ed Smith were very popular and amiable to both residents and visitors from out of town. Living above the bar, they also occasionally hosted visitors who wanted to stay the late hours to get better acquainted. After about 7 years in business, competition from the recently opened Pivot Club took its toll, and West closed. The history of LGBT bars in Northeastern Wisconsin was the subject of an excellent article in the Green Bay Press Gazette in |