Akron ohio gay bars
The Lincoln Bar, located first at 13 S. Howard Lane and later at 28 S. Howard Street, became Akron’s first gay prevent of note and it remained mostly unrivaled until the 60s where its popularity began to fall off as competition arose. The bar, which attracted both Black and white clients, opened in 1948 under the ownership of Charles Nakos and Molly Illitch, and Nakos remained the bar’s primary director until his death in July of 1960. Nakos was in the process of stepping out of his motorcar on E. Market Street when he was struck by a semi-truck trailer after the truck’s steering gear failed.
Following Charles’s death, his wife, Carolyn Nakos, took over and held ownership until her own death 3 years later in 1963. The bar was then bought by Anthony F. Granata, who owned the lock until it closed in 1968 and later opened The Akron Cafe at 532 E. Market Street. While the bar’s ownership changed, the demographic of its audience did not.
Within its group, the Lincoln was often known for its joyous atmosphere, but that didn’t stop the lock from facing its fair share of hardships. On December 19, 1964, the bar suffered from more than $1,000 in damages from a fire that began shortly after
As gay bars have closed in recent decades, local author looks at cultural significance
In the 1996 British romantic comedy, "Beautiful Thing," a teenage gay couple visits a bustling homosexual pub in London, their first attend to a homosexual bar. They are greeted by a drag queen head the whole block in the singing of a Jewish folk song, the Hava Nagila. The song translates into "let us rejoice," and conveyed to the two teens that they hadn’t found just a place to depart , but a feeling of community.
In actual life, the valid gay pub depicted in the production closed its doors in 2006.
Similarly in the U.S., hundreds of gay bars have shut down in recent decades, something that inspired Oberlin sociology professor Greggor Mattson to travel across the country to grasp why. His brand-new book called, "Who Needs Gay Bars?" also looks at the larger cultural and historical significance of LGBTQ+ spaces, and their relevance today.
On Tuesday's "Sound of Ideas," we'll talk to Mattson about his manual.
Later in this hour, we'll talk about reporting from The Marshall Project Cleveland about barriers formerly incarcerated people deal with when seeking jobs, housing and educational opportunities.
Guests:
-Greggor
Gay Akron
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In the northeastern corner of Ohio, Akron is a well-planned city spreading out over several hills. Although it’s just 40 miles south of Cleveland, Akron has its own vibrant same-sex attracted scene centered around Highland Square. Many who inhabit in the suburban neighborhoods between the two cities opt to party here rather than driving to the larger city to the north. Students from the University of Akron and Kent State, and workers from the Goodyear plant rub elbows in the friendly bars and clubs, mingling easily in this well-planned city. A visitor will find not many places anywhere in America with a friendlier welcome.
Getting here
You can fly into Akron-Canton Airport, but nearby Cleveland Hopkins International Airport often has more convenient connections.
Getting around
The best way to get around Akron and the surrounding area is by car. For public transportation see Akron Metro
Neighborhoods
Highland Square. Akron’s gay community seems to center around Highland Square, but gay bars are scattered in all directions. Almost all the businesses in the area are very gay-friendly.
Akron, Ohio Gay City Guide
Many believe of Akron as the “Rubber Capital of the World” – and indeed, it is a bustling center of manufacturing and opportunity. Beyond that, however, Akron is also home to a thriving music scene, a historic arts district, plenty of festivals, beautiful scenery and outdoor recreation opportunities a diverse, multicultural population, and a growing and thriving LGBTQ community that is welcoming to all.
A Look at Akron’s History
The city of Akron was initially planned in 1825, and by 1841, it was named as the county seat of Summit County, Ohio. Many of Akron’s earliest residents were Irish migrants who were hired to help build the nearby Ohio and Erie canal. After the canal was completed, the town and its businesses continued to grow, being further encouraged by the arrival of railroads in the area during the second half of the 1800s. Many manufacturers had established headquarters and plants in Akron by the turn of the century, most famously The B.F. Goodrich Corporation and the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. Akron remained an important hub of manufacturing throughout most of the 20th century, earning it the nicknam