Eagle L.A. launches GoFundMe campaign to keep from closing permanently
Eagle L.A. has recently launched a GoFundMe campaign to keep its doors from closing permanently!
Throughout the pandemic, so many LGBTQ venues have either closed, or been at risk of closing. Not being able to operate at full capacity, or being closed indefinitely due to lockdowns and restrictions have all had devastating financial impacts on these venues.
“Since 2006, Eagle LA has prided itself on being a safe haven for the LGBTQI+ Community to come together and express its diversity free from judgment, as well as an open door policy, neighborhood-gathering place,” says the Eagle L.A.’s GoFundMe site.
The bar’s location at 4219 Santa Monica Blvd., which opened as Eagle L.A. in 2006 by Charlie Matula and business partner Vince Quattrocchi, has served as home to numerous LGBTQ communities, going back since before the Stonewall uprising. From 1968 to 1972 it was home to The Shed, before becoming home to The Outcast from 1972 to 1983.
Its longest iteration was the 22 years it served as the space for The Gauntlet II from 1983 to 2005. For the past 15 years, the space has been home to Los Angeles’ premiere Leather/Levi/Fetish bar, Eagle L.A.
However, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the owners made the responsible decision to close their doors. “We hunkered down and did everything possible to stay in business”, writes Matula on the GoFundMe site.
“Surviving this devastating financial hardship has been extremely difficult. Although we did receive relief loans at the beginning of the pandemic, we never expected the forced closures to go on this long.”
Even before the pandemic, so many queer spaces have been forced to shut, due to financial difficulties, urban deveolpment and gentrifictation, and other issues.
“We have lost too many historic venues resulting from this pandemic already, which is changing the face of our community. This is why we are asking for your help to keep Eagle LA from closing permanently. With your support, we’ll be able to continue to ride this out until we can safely reopen in what is expected to be months from now.”
Please visit Eagle L.A.’s GoFundMe campaign to donate.
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