Category Archives: Gay St Louis
St Louis Takes Major Step For Gay Marriage!
ST LOUIS made a bold statement last night just in time for PRIDE WEEKEND!
St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay announced that marriage licenses were issued to four same-sex couples by St. Louis Recorder of Deeds, Sharon Carpenter, June 25, coinciding with the one year anniversary of the Defense of Marriage Act being struck down. The weddings were performed at the St. Louis City Hall.
“St. Louis is a city that doesn’t tolerate discrimination,” said Slay, standing beside the couples. “We are sending a message on what’s right, and I can’t think of anything more right than this.”
The ceremonies were performed in Mayor Slay’s office. Carpenter issued marriage licenses to the couples following the ceremonies despite Missouri’s 2004 constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.
“For years I contemplated taking this action, but the the legal climate was never right to take action and take a stand,” said Carpenter. “However, that all changed with the United States Supreme Court decision to rule all citizens have the right to marry under the law.”
“This is a bold move by the Recorder of Deeds, Sharon Carpenter and Mayor Francis Slay,” said A.J. Bockelman, Executive Director of PROMO, Missouri’s statewide LGBT advocacy organization. “With the wave of state after state moving forward on marriage, their move shows that Missouri may not have been the first, but we will certainly not be the last to recognize marriage. We extend a resounding thank you today to these elected officials and the couples involved, all of whom exhibited profiles in courage by taking this action. Effectively they stood together and said it is time to “Show Me Marriage”.”
A lawsuit demanding the recognition of the marriages could be filed as early as this morning.
READ MORE AT #BOOM
Gay and Gay Friendly St Louis
We recently made a short trip to St. Louis – what a great city!! EXPLORE ST LOUIS has some great detailed information – here are some highlights –
St. Louis has grown from a 1764 fur-trading village into a major American city made up of distinct neighborhoods. St. Louis’ long history
is reflected in the architecture, personalities, and events of each special part of town. And, it’s not surprising, that the most
interesting areas are also among the most LGBT friendly. Hot spot neighborhoods include:
THE GROVE – Rainbow flags proudly wave along Manchester Avenue in The Grove, the
epicenter of St. Louis’ LGBT nightlife located on between Tower Grove
and Chouteau avenues. Chill at Erney’s 32° – sip chilled Vodka’s in their unique walk in chilled room!;
mingle on the massive patio at Just John and the welcome-to-all
atmosphere prevails at Novak’s Bar & Grill, Rehab and Atomic Cowboy.
Nearby are JJ’s and Bad Dog, popular Levi/leather and bear haunts – however, late at night, EVERYONE ends up at JJs it seems. – They have a late night license.
CENTRAL WEST END – perhaps the original gayborhood? A LGBT favorite since the 1960’s, The CWE is arguably St. Louis’ most cosmopolitan neighborhood and beckons you to linger at sidewalk cafés, exciting galleries, trendy boutiques and cozy pubs. Take the St. Louis
LGBT History Walking Tour created by The St. Louis LGBT History Project. It seems many gay businesses were out in the early 1980’s as the neighborhood raised rents and attracted high priced restaurants. – But still a great spot .”The Central West End would become one of St. Louis’ prominent gay
neighborhoods with its disproportionately large and visible LGBT
population vis-a-vis the rest of the metro area. Indeed, the
CWE was a growing hub of queer social life throughout the 1960s, and by
the 1970s—was the epicenter of Gateway City LGBT politics.” says Colin Murphy at Vital Voice.
BestGayCities.com will be hosting the 1st Annual OUT IN THE PARK at SIX FLAGS ST LOUIS in September 2014! It will be a private night for charity! More details Soon!
(Photo Right – Vital Voice)
SOUTH GRAND is a wonderful neighborhood that hosts St. Louis’ annual PrideFest and Pride parade. The area’s diversity is on full display as block after block
along Grand Boulevard is alive with Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Latin and Chinese restaurants, ethnic groceries, boutiques, vintage clothing stores and Asian import centers. Popular LGBT-owned businesses include
MoKaBe’s, the venerable coffee house at Arsenal and Grand; Absolutli
Goosed, where mixologists make magic with martinis and Cheap TRX, the
funky and fabulous LGBT shopping experience.
THE LOOP is named for an old streetcar turnaround, the always-changing neighborhood
is home to one-of-a-kind stores and boutiques and more than 40 ethnic
and American restaurants.
SOULARD AND CHEROKEE aka the French Quarter. Just a few minutes south of the Arch, St. Louis blues music takes the stage in the Soulard neighborhood’s clubs and restaurants. Home to the
second largest Mardi Gras celebration in the nation.
LAFAYETTE SQUARE is Another longtime LGBT favorite, this elegant neighborhood is a blend of historic and contemporary. B&B-lodgings, including gay-owned and operated Napoleon’s Retreat, provide luxurious resting places.
Find out more at EXPLORE ST LOUIS and VITAL VOICE is the Voice of St Louis covering all that is new, now and next!
