Divas Nightclub & Bar
Divas Nightclub & Bar was a San Francisco nightclub located at 1081 Post Street in the Polk Gulch neighborhood of San Francisco, California, where it was located since 1998, prior to closing.[1][2][3] With three floors, the club catered predominately to trans women and their admirers, until it closed on March 30, 2019.[4] Prior to its location at 1081 Post Street, Divas had opened in 1989 across the street at the corner of Post and Larkin, under the name Motherload.[5]
History[edit]
In 1989 Joseph Jurkans and Mark Gilpin opened the Motherlode at 1002 Post Street (corner of Post and Larkin) in San Francisco.[6] The Motherlode was the predecessor of Divas. In 1998 Mark Gilpin (Joseph Jurkans having by that time died) moved the establishment across the street, less than a block away, to 1081 Post Street.[7] Both the Motherlode and subsequently Divas received sustained prolonged community opposition from people and entities, including: The First Apostolic Church, community organizations Save Our Streets and the Polk Street District Merchants’ Association, and Mayor (and former police chief) Frank Jordan.[8][9] Organizers made various claims, including that the club brought prostitution, illicit drug use, and noise problems to the neighborhood.[10]
Steve Berkey would eventually take over ownership of the club (and the building at 1081 Post Street).[11]
Before closing its doors on March 30, 2019, Divas was the only transgender club in California, and one of three in the country.[12] It served as a metaphorical town square for the San Francisco transgender community, bing an important gathering space and performance venue.[13][14]
In popular culture[edit]
Divas was the subject of a book of portraits, entitled "Divas of San Francisco: Portraits of Transsexual Women," by David Steinberg (published February 1, 2008)[15]
Divas is repeatedly referenced in the book, "The Auto-Obituary of Joy Grrl Syn: Nymph of Darkness," by Magdelyn C. Bordeaux (February 2023).[16]
Divas is described in depth in Joseph Plaster's book "The Kids on the Street."[17]
References[edit]
- ^ Konner, Maria (2 April 2019). "SF's Only Transgender Bar to Close With One Last Blowout Party". 48Hills. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
- ^ Fort, Ellen (22 March 2019). "SF's Only Transgender Bar to Close With One Last Blowout Party". Eater San Francisco. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
- ^ Graff, Amy (21 March 2019). "Fabled transgender bar Divas closing its doors after throwing one last party". SFGate. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
- ^ Graff, Amy (21 March 2019). "Fabled transgender bar Divas closing its doors after throwing one last party". Retrieved 13 February 2023.
- ^ Unknown, Robyn. "San Francisco's Trans Bar". Louise Lawrence Transgender Archive. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
- ^ Unknown, Robyn. "Motherload/Diva's-San Francisco's Trans Bar". Louise Lawrence Transgender Archive. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
- ^ Beatty, Christine. "Motherlode Finally Victorious". Glamazon. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
- ^ Unknown, Robyn. "Motherload/Diva's-San Francisco's Trans Bar". Louise Lawrence Transgender Archive. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
- ^ Beatty, Christine. "Motherlode Finally Victorious". Glamazon. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
- ^ Beatty, Christine. "Motherlode Finally Victorious". Glamazon. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
- ^ Graff, Amy (21 March 2019). "Fabled transgender bar Divas closing its doors after throwing one last party". SF Gate. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
- ^ Graff, Amy (21 March 2019). "Fabled transgender bar Divas closing its doors after throwing one last party". SF Gate. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
- ^ Barmann, Jay (10 February 2015). "Nooo! Longtime Polk Gulch Trans Club Divas In Danger Of Closing". SFist. Archived from the original on 15 February 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
- ^ Konner, Maria (April 2019). "Divas: The Loss of San Francisco's Trans "Town Square"". Retrieved 14 February 2023.
- ^ Steinberg, David (February 1, 2008). Divas of San Francisco: Portraits of Transsexual Women. San Francisco: Red Alder Books. p. 64. ISBN 9780914906056. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
- ^ Bordeaux, Magdelyn C. (February 7, 2023). The Auto-Obituary of Joy Grrl Syn: Nymph of Darkness. San Francisco. p. 130. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ Plaster, Joseph (2023). The Kids on the Street: Queer Kinship and Religion in San Francisco's Tenderloin. Durham: Duke.