This exhibit of images and ephemera, curated by Lauren Tabak and Susie Smith of the Lexington Club Archival Project (LCAP), aims to show the vibrancy of the community that formed around the Lex. Amidst changing patrons and aesthetics, the space transformed and was transformed by its community. The Bay Area is not the same without it.

Lauren Tabak and Susie Smith shot over 150 images inside the bright blue-walled bathrooms during the finals months that the bar was open, documenting the faces and emotions of the patrons as they came to say goodbye to the beloved institution.

“While reviewing the selections, we realized that we unwittingly also captured the bar as it physically disappeared. When viewed chronologically, it becomes apparent that the small hole in the bathroom wall is slowly growing, until a large piece is missing.” – Lauren & Susie

Artists include: Ace Morgan, whose black and white documentary photos capture the opening night and the ten year anniversary party; Molly DeCoudreaux who, over the years, created many of the images used in promotional materials; Elizabeth Beier, whose raw and hilarious comics recall her adventures in the Lex; Lauren Tabak & Susannah Smith who photographed patrons in the iconic bathrooms during the final months; and Rebeka Rodriguez & Cody T. Williams, who both shot portraits outside the bar during the closing night parties.

Opening Night: Friday, September 2nd, 2016 6-9pm
Exhibition Dates: September 2nd through October 7th, 2016
Gallery Hours: Wed-Fri 10am-4pm // Sat 12pm-4pm
Oakland Pride Open House: Sunday September 11th, 2016 11am-5pm
Closing Celebration: Friday October 7, 2016 6pm-9pm
Location: 1714 Franklin St, Oakland, CA

The post Images from San Francisco’s last lesbian bar first appeared on Lesbian.com.

BY JACKIE
Team Dattch, the lesbian app

Dark corners plus loud music plus too many drunk people to care what’s happening equals sexy club fun times. Obviously, this was reciprocated but as first experiences go, it was a pretty good one.

The night itself however was nerve-wracking. It was my first trip to a lesbian bar since coming out. Considering that was only two years ago, it was kind of a big step for me. I’m not saying that I’d never been to a gay or lesbian bar before, but I was going now with an acceptance of who I was and knew EXACTLY what I wanted (hands down trousers wasn’t exactly that, but hey, it wasn’t something I was going to turn down either).

I was a wide-eyed baby dyke who got a pretty explicit education that night, and maybe that was the thrill of it for the other girl. It’s not necessarily everyone’s idea of a good first time, but it makes one of the better first-time stories in my friend group, that’s for sure!

It also made me more aware that the scene can be really intimidating when you’re first coming out and going in. I’ve told that I can come off as a little off-putting in terms of how I act when out with friends and can come across as a little bit cold or uninterested. But ,if I’m out with friends and there is someone alone, we’re usually the first to welcome them into the fold. It’s nice to think that you may be making someone else’s first time that little bit easier and welcoming.

The lesbian club-bar scene is slowly but surely improving. Yes, there are places out there and we all know this but there is still a long way to go until the “lesbian” spaces can truly rival the “gay” ones. Luckily, I’m managing to now make friends with the lezzers in charge of these, so keeping my finger on the pulse is proving to be easier than ever!

Not so sadly, my dirty club days are over. I still engage in a cheeky snog every now and then but I’m now at the stage where a frenetic dance routine to Beyonce or Girls Aloud is enough to keep me satisfied and everyone else in the place amused.

And the next time you see two girls snogging in a dark corner, raise your glass; they’re probably having the time of their life.

Dattch — The Lesbian App is out for iOS and Android. Loved by Lesbian.com, AfterEllen and Autostraddle, we are the social platform for all things gay. Free download!

The post Lesbian bar, the maiden voyage first appeared on Lesbian.com.