Lecture "Last Call: The Rise and Decline of Lesbian Bars in Salt Lake City"
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In 2015, Salt Lake City's last lesbian bar, Paper Moon, closed after more than two decades in operation, marking the end of a forty-five-year history of lesbian bars in the State’s capitol. An often-overlooked chapter of the state's history, how did lesbian bars emerge and eventually disappear in Salt Lake City? This lecture examines the rise and decline of lesbian bars in Salt Lake City from 1970 to 2015, exploring how a mid-sized city formed a lesbian community distinct from anywhere else in the country.
Drawing on oral histories, local newspapers, and archival research, this presentation will reconstruct the history of Salt Lake City's lesbian bars. It explores how a small and interconnected lesbian population, unity between gay men and women in mixed bars, expanding alternative community spaces, and Utah's restrictive liquor laws shaped both the development and decline of lesbian nightlife.
🎙️ About the Speaker: Brooklyn Mercurio is a master's student in the Department of History at the University of Utah, where she studies modern United States history and is completing a certificate in public history. Her research explores the histories of gender and sexuality, with a focus on lesbian spaces in midsize American cities. She is passionate about making historical research accessible to broader audiences through digital tools such as ArcGIS StoryMaps and enjoys conducting oral histories to preserve and share community experiences.
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This event is free and open to the public. No ticket or background in history is required.
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REMOTE ATTENDANCE AVAILABLE
Zoom link: Coming soon!
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Special thanks to Signature Books for allowing us to host this event in their space!
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🌈 Past lectures can be accessed on our YouTube channel or on the Berryman Lecture Series web page.
Drawing on oral histories, local newspapers, and archival research, this presentation will reconstruct the history of Salt Lake City's lesbian bars. It explores how a small and interconnected lesbian population, unity between gay men and women in mixed bars, expanding alternative community spaces, and Utah's restrictive liquor laws shaped both the development and decline of lesbian nightlife.
🎙️ About the Speaker: Brooklyn Mercurio is a master's student in the Department of History at the University of Utah, where she studies modern United States history and is completing a certificate in public history. Her research explores the histories of gender and sexuality, with a focus on lesbian spaces in midsize American cities. She is passionate about making historical research accessible to broader audiences through digital tools such as ArcGIS StoryMaps and enjoys conducting oral histories to preserve and share community experiences.
---
This event is free and open to the public. No ticket or background in history is required.
---
REMOTE ATTENDANCE AVAILABLE
Zoom link: Coming soon!
---
Special thanks to Signature Books for allowing us to host this event in their space!
---
🌈 Past lectures can be accessed on our YouTube channel or on the Berryman Lecture Series web page.
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Where is it happening?
Signature Books, 511 W 400 N, Salt Lake City, UT 84116-4168, United States
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Host or PublisherMildred Berryman Institute
