Discovering Queer Sanctuaries: A Look Back and Forward in the SGV and Whittier Area

The search for vibrant queer spaces, particularly gay bars in the La Puente area, can often feel like a treasure hunt through the evolving landscape of Southern California's LGBTQ+ community.

While specific venues might shift and change, the spirit of community and connection remains a constant driving force. Let's delve into the history and future of queer gathering spots in the San Gabriel Valley and Whittier, exploring where the community has found solace, celebration, and belonging.

The Evolving Identity of a Writer and Advocate

Understanding the importance of queer spaces often starts with understanding the individuals who seek them out and the journeys that lead them there.

As a writer, academic, and public historian, Melissa (MMH) offers a profound perspective on how personal identity, academic pursuits, and community engagement intertwine. Her journey, marked by a deep connection to literature and cultural studies, highlights how writing became not just a profession, but a vital tool for self-discovery and public knowledge creation.

"I don't consider myself a writer enough," MMH shares, a sentiment many creatives can relate to.

The demands of academic life, particularly as an adjunct lecturer at Cal State Long Beach, often push personal creative output to the periphery. However, it was precisely this position, with "one foot in the academy," that ignited a passion for writing as a means to bridge the gap between academic scholarship and public accessibility.

The neoliberalization of public education, with its increased reliance on contingent labor, presented challenges.

"The university pretty much only hires me and pays me to do just one of those two things, and that's teach," she explains. This reality spurred a desire to carve out a professional identity beyond the confines of traditional academia. Freelance writing emerged as a powerful avenue, allowing MMH to leverage her expertise in popular culture, queer studies, and even her lived experience as a queer Chicana from East LA County.

"My own sort of personal cultivation of myself, not just as a teacher in the classroom, but as a scholar, as a researcher, as someone who is interested in public history, in communities, in what it means to produce knowledge," she elaborates, underscoring the multifaceted role writing played in her development.

Her formative years, influenced by a librarian mother, instilled a deep love for reading.

"I think that I am able to be the writer I am because of the reader I was growing up in my youth," she reflects. This early immersion in stories laid the groundwork for a career dedicated to exploring and amplifying diverse narratives.

Navigating Queerness in Suburbia: Early Days in the SGV

For many queer individuals, especially those who grew up in more conservative or suburban environments, the search for affirming spaces can be a defining aspect of their youth.

MMH's experience in the San Gabriel Valley and Whittier area paints a vivid picture of this journey.

"As the young baby queer, before I even had the language to call myself that, I knew I was different," she recalls. Her early encounters with queerness were often filtered through pop culture - the music of Prince and Madonna, the cinematic flair of musicals like Grease.

These were early signposts, hinting at a world beyond the seemingly homogenous suburban landscape of her childhood.

Growing up near the Orange County line in the late 80s, a time characterized by its predominantly white, middle-class demographic and the prevailing "Reagan era" ethos, MMH found her initial queer spaces in unexpected places.

"My queer spaces were playing basketball with the boys on the playground," she admits. While not explicitly queer venues, these were spaces where she felt a sense of belonging and could express her more masculine-leaning inclinations, away from the gendered expectations of her peers.

She posits a compelling theory: for many queer kids growing up without visible role models, schools and libraries often served as crucial sanctuaries.

In a conservative Mexican Catholic family, where queerness was likely unspoken or euphemized, these external environments offered a haven for exploration. "I grew up with, in fact, like most Mexican young queer kids, grew up in a Catholic family, grew up questioning and hating and learning to call that a sin," she notes, highlighting the internal conflicts many face.

The need to escape and find self-acceptance was palpable.

"The more I came into my queerness, the more I wanted to leave and go home," she says, leading to her departure for Berkeley. It wasn't until she returned to the Whittier area in her mid-to-late twenties that she began to find physical queer spaces that resonated with her.

Finding Community: Oz and the LA/OC Borderlands

The journey back home often brings a renewed appreciation for local queer culture.

MMH's discovery of Oz in Buena Park marked a significant turning point. "I was 26, which I guess is kind of an old maid, but can still be considered youthful," she humorously remarks, touching on the common feeling among those who come out later in life that their twenties are a continuation of their adolescence.

Oz became a vital hub for those in the "LA Orange County Borderlands" who felt somewhat disconnected from the more established queer scene in West Hollywood.

"We went to Oz and Buena Park. I wrote about, in fact, how important Oz was to those of us who lived in the LA Orange County Borderlands," she states. These spaces offered a sense of belonging and a place to navigate newfound relationships and identity.

The influence of these local havens extended to the broader cultural landscape.

MMH mentions Raja Gemini, the drag queen and RuPaul's Drag Race star, who honed her craft at Oz, drawing inspiration from the queer youth of color who frequented the venue.

This underscores how local spaces, even those not explicitly marketed as "gay bars," become fertile ground for artistic expression and community building.

While Oz served a crucial role, the search for explicit "gay bars" in the immediate La Puente area and the wider San Gabriel Valley during MMH's youth was less fruitful.

The focus often shifted to adjacent communities or cultural touchstones that fostered a sense of queer identity.

The Shifting Tides: Contemporary Queer Spaces in the SGV and Whittier

The question of contemporary queer spaces in the San Gabriel Valley and Whittier area elicits a hopeful, albeit nuanced, response.

MMH observes a promising evolution, particularly among the youth.

"When we think of spaces like queer spaces, I think historically, or what we might conjure is, you know, we think of bars," she notes, acknowledging the traditional anchor of queer social life.

While historic gay bars in Whittier have seemingly disappeared - one believed to have been in the location now occupied by Whittier Brewing Company - the spirit of these gatherings persists.

MMH points to "flickers of life" and light in areas like El Monte and the broader SGV.

The emergence of events like Whittier's first Pride in 2019 is seen as a significant catalyst. "That's when I kind of see, like a kind of emergence or, you know, a sort of toehold or an interest," she explains. This event, in particular, helped to highlight the need for queer-friendly spaces in an area that has historically been overlooked, as documented in works like East of East.

The presence of youth engaging in these nascent movements suggests a future where the SGV and Whittier can foster more visible and accessible queer sanctuaries.

While large, established gay bars might not be a hallmark of La Puente itself, the underlying desire for community and connection drives the creation of new forms of queer gathering - from community events and art shows to online forums and grassroots initiatives.

Beyond the Bar: Diversifying Queer Gathering Spots

The concept of a "gay bar" is, of course, just one facet of queer community spaces.

As MMH's reflections suggest, queer identity and connection can be found in a multitude of settings. Historically, alongside bars, spaces like:

• Theater and Performance Venues: Providing platforms for queer artists and storytelling.
• Art Galleries and Studios: Showcasing the work of LGBTQ+ creatives.
• Music Venues: Hosting artists and events that resonate with the queer community.
• Community Centers: Offering safe spaces for support groups, educational programs, and social events.
• Online Communities: Connecting individuals across geographical boundaries.

These diverse spaces contribute to a rich tapestry of queer life, offering different ways for individuals to connect and express themselves.

While the specific inquiry might be about gay bars in La Puente, the broader understanding of queer spaces encompasses all these avenues of community building.

Reflecting on Past Glories and Future Hopes

MMH's journey also brings to mind iconic venues that have shaped the queer experience in Los Angeles, even if not directly in La Puente.

Places like Catch One, which served as a crucial hub for Black and Latino LGBTQ+ individuals for over four decades, represent the vibrant history of queer nightlife and community building. The mention of such venues evokes powerful memories of shared experiences, music, and a sense of freedom on the dance floor.

While the landscape of specific gay bars in La Puente may be sparse or have a history of changing ownership, the persistent drive for queer connection is undeniable.

The growing visibility of Pride events in surrounding areas, the increasing dialogue about queer experiences in suburban communities, and the passionate advocacy of individuals like MMH all point towards a future where more inclusive and affirming spaces will continue to emerge.

The search for these sanctuaries is not just about finding a place to drink; it's about finding a place to belong, to be seen, and to celebrate the multifaceted identities within the LGBTQ+ community.