Quote:
Originally Posted by Chadillaccc
I've heard that idea tossed around quite a bit that because of apps like Grindr, Scruff, Growlr, etc.. that we just don't need the bars anymore cause now you just go online to find a hookup(gross ), and that most clubs are safe for gay guys and couples now... but if that were the case community wide (and by that I mean the whole north american gay world) than why hasn't it happened in Toronto, Vancouver or Montreal? I guess Vancouver has lost a couple bars, but after Odyssey closed, Oasis opened up. Calgary just keeps losing and losing bars and now all we're left with is the worst run club in the country run by the worst people I've ever had the misfortune of learning about, and the BackLot which I love but it's so small. Though, I have heard rumours that a group is looking for locations in the eastern Beltline to reopen the Eagle, and rumours about a new gay lounge/bar opening up too. So who knows, I guess.
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Of course I have no idea how the real world actually works as everything I see is second-hand and anecdotal here, but... in my naive optimism, I see this more as the gay community finally becoming something that is not "other".
If gay bars exist mostly for the purposes of "hooking up", then they won't be needed much longer. Welcome to straight life - the bar is one of the worst places to "hook up" and the only people who do much of this are complete douchebags and women with incredibly low self-esteem. And I say this as someone who did it for many years, I'm not trying to pass judgement on people.
I always assumed that gay bars still exist due to them being a "safe place" - ie: going to a "regular" bar and making our with your bf could lead to problems.
Personally, I hope the day comes soon where "gay bar or online (gross)" sounds like a silly thing to say. Because gay people can "hook up/meet" in all the non-bar places straight people do.
Of course I could be completely wrong here. Again, second-hand and anecdotal. While I've occasionally been mistaken for gay, and have had some minor trouble as a result, I obviously have no direct daily experience with the challenges. Perhaps I'm being really naive.