61 - Shirley’s-Norfolk’s First Lesbian Bar
Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
Open from the late 1970s to late 1980s, Shirley’s was the earliest documented women’s bar in Norfolk, Virginia. Our research centers around Shirley’s in the context of both the Gay Liberationist movement of the 1970s and greater lesbian bar culture across the U.S. Shirley’s was a hub of activity for queer women and was likely a first-time lesbian bar experience for many – no doubt providing the first public space where many local women felt safe to socialize with other lesbians. The bar frequently hosted events and fundraisers for other queer organizations, providing critical space for local gay rights activism. The bar also sponsored multiple women’s sports teams, giving local lesbians a way to socialize publically outside of the nightlife scene. Using archival research including analysis of Our Own, Norfolk’s lesbian and gay newspaper from 1976 - 1998, and oral history interviews conducted with local community members, we will show that Shirley’s provides a prime case study for understanding Norfolk’s rich queer history in that it actively improved the queer experience in Norfolk while providing a sanctuary for women to make connections and freely express themselves. Studying Shirley’s specifically paints a more accurate and vivid picture of gay life in 70s and 80s Norfolk and places the importance of lesbian bars into a broader context of community building and support for LGBTQ+ people.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Cathleen Rhodes
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department
Women's and Gender Studies
College Affiliation
College of Arts & Letters
Presentation Type
Poster
Disciplines
Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies | Queer Studies
61 - Shirley’s-Norfolk’s First Lesbian Bar
Open from the late 1970s to late 1980s, Shirley’s was the earliest documented women’s bar in Norfolk, Virginia. Our research centers around Shirley’s in the context of both the Gay Liberationist movement of the 1970s and greater lesbian bar culture across the U.S. Shirley’s was a hub of activity for queer women and was likely a first-time lesbian bar experience for many – no doubt providing the first public space where many local women felt safe to socialize with other lesbians. The bar frequently hosted events and fundraisers for other queer organizations, providing critical space for local gay rights activism. The bar also sponsored multiple women’s sports teams, giving local lesbians a way to socialize publically outside of the nightlife scene. Using archival research including analysis of Our Own, Norfolk’s lesbian and gay newspaper from 1976 - 1998, and oral history interviews conducted with local community members, we will show that Shirley’s provides a prime case study for understanding Norfolk’s rich queer history in that it actively improved the queer experience in Norfolk while providing a sanctuary for women to make connections and freely express themselves. Studying Shirley’s specifically paints a more accurate and vivid picture of gay life in 70s and 80s Norfolk and places the importance of lesbian bars into a broader context of community building and support for LGBTQ+ people.