Popular LGBTQ+ Bar Precinct DTLA Needs our Help
“We’re sounding the alarm: Precinct is in crisis.” the official Precinct DTLA said yesterday on Instagram, going on to cite a few reasons as to why.
Precinct DTLA is one of Los Angeles’s most popular LGBTQ+ bars. With a full kitchen and delicious menu, a wide range of diverse events including Bear World Magazine Award’s Best Bear Club Night nominee Club Chub, and a large open space open to all, Precinct DTLA is a staple of the queer community in Los Angeles.
Over the years since the bar opened in 2015, Precinct DTLA has faced quite a few hardships, such as the COVID-19 epidemic closing its doors, ICE raids that swept through the city, citywide curfews that curbed business, and the ongoing decline in nightlife that has been hitting bars nationwide the last few years. Precinct has remained strong through all of this, continuing to be a mainstay of LGBTQ+ nightlife in Los Angeles, but the legal battle they’re dealing with now is “even more devastating.”
As published on their Instagram, Precinct DTLA is facing a harsh legal battle from a former employee who, in the lawsuit, names the bar, the owner, and members of their management team. In the suit, she claims that she faced discrimination based on the fact that she is a heterosexual cisgender woman, further claiming that the bar “discriminates against white employees.” Precinct says this is completely false, and goes on to say that in their opinion, the attorney representing her has a “clear anti-LGBTQ agenda.” They go on to say in the post that according to multiple reports of former people who worked with him at a former law firm, “he used anti-LGBTQ slurs in written emails.”
The post from Precinct DTLA continues, saying that they’re “doing everything [they] can to defend [themselves], but the legal battle is draining [them] emotionally and financially,” and that they “can’t do it alone.” The initial post requested community support by just coming to the bar, buying a drink, ordering some food, tipping the staff, and essentially showing up to stand in solidarity with them.
“Precinct isn’t just a bar — it’s a queer community hub, and we feel the responsibility of that every day. We’re not asking for charity. We’re asking for solidarity.” -Precinct DTLA
A few hours later, the post was updated. Upon requests from several people, they moved forward with creating a GoFundMe so that those who don’t live in Los Angeles and cannot show up in person can support from wherever they live. You can also buy merch directly from their website.
So if you’re in Los Angeles anytime soon, make plans to stop by Precinct DTLA and catch a drag show, come out for a fetish night, or just stop by for some food and a drink. I’ve had a few things on their menu myself, and wish I could get a “Fat Slut Sampler Platter” right now!
“Your presence matters. Your support matters.
Let’s rally together and protect this space — for all of us.
From all of us at Precinct: thank you. We’ll be here to hug you for it.” -Precinct DTLA
Give them a follow on Instagram by clicking here, find their full event calendar, merch store, and menu on their website by clicking here, and consider donating to their GoFundMe by clicking here.
