Gay clubs in columbia mo
How has Columbia LGBTQ acceptance changed in 40 years? Arch and Column regulars share stories
If you check in the Arch and Column Pub, Columbia's sole LGBTQ bar, affectionately known as Arches, on the Business Loop in the preceding evening hours on a Wednesday, and maybe even Friday or Saturday, you are sure to view a group of guys sitting around, chatting about their week and sometimes reminiscing.
These men have lived in Columbia for at least the last 30 to 40 years and have had a chance to observe the switching moods in Columbia's society and its acceptance of the LGBTQ community. Among these regulars are those who were former owners of Columbia LGBTQ bars.
The group of regulars are somewhat the vestiges of what was known as the Rainbow Rotary. This was a group of men who would encounter to have dinner on a regular basis and also hold a 50-50 raffle over the course of the evening in support of a local charity.
With the Mid-MO Pridefest coming up Sept. 23-24, the Tribune wanted to take down an oral history, however brief, about LGBTQ life in Columbia dating back upward of 40-50 years ahead of the festivities. 2023 is PrideFest's 19th year in Columbia at Rose Harmony Hall, this year occ
By Katie and Sugar
For most people, Columbia is a pit stop on the I-70 trek from St. Louis to Kansas City. For those lucky enough to live here, there’s so much more to love.
Katie: I moved here 3 years ago to start graduate school at Mizzou, and it didn’t take long for me to experience like warm and fuzzy about Columbia – that’s the Midwestern hospitality. After a little longer, I’d found so many other reasons to love it here. Because of the university, Columbia has is a liberal bubble in a surrounding sea of red. There are plenty of amazing cultural events happening, and a lot of singular and wonderful people. Queer people and places aren’t unyielding to find, and the other residents of Columbia largely embrace the LGBTQ community.
COMING OUT Time AT MIZZOU
Sugar: I have officially lived in Columbia, MO for 5 months now, and it has blown me away. I was born and raised in Arkansas and was proud to live there. I began a lengthy distance relationship with my current boyfriend and future wife, and began making trips to Columbia whenever I could. There’s something about Columbia that made an impact on me and that I think would impress any member of the
Going to The Social Room is fancy visiting Wonderland: You get there through the looking glass. From outside the one-story brick building on Eighth Highway, a yellow banner reads: “Be yourself. Be different. Be social.”
If you peer through the left window, you can see a cafe washed in red light. The eatery and the club are separated by a mirrored wall. It might appear silly to thrust on a mirror in a nightclub, but have faith. It’s actually a door that swings into a hallway illuminated by lights that look prefer the Super Mario Bros. video game mystery boxes.
On the right, the hallway leads into a game room with a pool table and three retro Nintendo consoles with a rotating selection of games. Vinyl records adorn the walls. On the other side of the hallway, you’ll find a sway floor illuminated by flashing lights, silver streamers and a glittering disco ball.
Tucked away at the end of the hall is a nook decked in a gold sequin curtain. It’s a small spot, but it makes the perfect photo backdrop. The bright teal and yellow walls, sparkling glitter and nostalgic gamer decor combine with the lights and swelling music to amp up the whimsical feeling.
For many little LGBTQ people in Columb
COLUMBIA — Columbia's oldest alternative block and club* for the same-sex attracted, lesbian, bisexual and transgender collective will be moving to a new home downtown this September.
"We're very excited to bring SoCo Club to Columbia's prime business district," club owner and general manager Marty Newman said in a recent press release.
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