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Background: Black Cat Tavern Demonstration
Background: Black Cat Tavern Demonstration
The Black Cat Demonstration was the first LGBT demonstration against police brutality that happened on January 1, 1967 (2 years before The Stonewall Riots in NYC). Tangents, a local gay newspaper, reports that, about the bar’s New Year's Eve celebration, several plainclothes LAPD officers infiltrated the tavern and started beating patrons as they were ringing in the New Year. After arresting several patrons for kissing as they celebrated the occasion, the undercover police officers began beating several of the patrons. They ultimately arrested fourteen patrons for “assault and public lewdness" (Tangents). Contrary to popular myth, a riot did not occur at the Black Cat; instead, a civil demonstration attended by 200 people was held on February 11, 1967, to protest the raids. Demonstrators used secret phone trees to organize the event, which led to hundreds of people attending. The demonstration was organized by a group called PRIDE (Personal Rights in Defense and Education), founded by Steve Ginsberg, and the SCCRH (Southern California Council on Religion and Homophile). The protest was met by squadrons of armed policemen. Demonstrators carefully adhered to all laws and ordinances, ensuring that the police had no legitimate grounds to make arrests.
Personal Rights in Defense and Education (PRIDE) flyer for February 11
Image from Box 1, Folder 6. Personal Rights in Defense and Education (PRIDE) records, Coll2013.077, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, Los Angeles, California
1967 Black Cat Protest Leaflet
1967 Black Cat Protest Leaflet
This is an image of a leaflet flyer that Personal Rights created in Defense and Education (PRIDE) for a call to action against the mistreatment of 14 LGBT patrons of the Black Cat Tavern who were beaten and arrested for kissing each other while celebrating the New Year. We see the location in bold letters, "Silverlake
Sunset & Hyperion"
It is important to note that Silverlake, CA, was a gay haven in the 1950s and housed many gay establishments near the Black Cat Tavern, making it the perfect location for the planned demonstration
Protesters hold signs outside The Black Cat Tavern during demonstration on Febuary 11
Protesters hold signs outside The Black Cat Tavern during demonstration on Febuary 11
Image from Box 1, Folder 95. Advocate records, Coll2012-030, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, Los Angeles, California
A growing number of protesters demonstrating and holding signs outside The Black Cat Tavern
A growing number of protesters demonstrating and holding signs outside The Black Cat Tavern
Image from Box 1, Folder 95. Advocate records, Coll2012-030, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, Los Angeles, California
Historical Landmark
Historical Landmark
In 2007, The Black Cat was recognized by the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission as Historic-Cultural Monument #939. A commemorative plaque on the façade of the building honors The Black Cat as the site of the first documented LGBTQ civil rights demonstration in the nation. In 2022, the State of California designated The Black Cat Historical Landmark #1063, the first and only California Historical Landmark to recognize California’s LGBTQ history. A commemorative plaque on the corner of Sunset and Hyperion marks the location's monumental civil and human rights history.
The Black Cat Today: Where's The Gay?
The Black Cat Today: Where's The Gay?
The Black Cat Tavern has since dropped the word "Tavern” from its name and is now known as “The Black Cat.” This is an open and functioning restaurant and bar, but not very queer.
Though this establishment is recognized for its historical and cultural relevance in the LGBTQIA+ community, it Is not a frequented queer establishment. It is not clear why LGBTQIA+ locals do not frequent The Black Cat. Still, research leads to two theories. The first of the two theories is The Black Cat’s location in Silverlake. It is no secret that gay men love the nightlife, and West Hollywood is the place for the queer community to let loose and have fun, but Silverlake is just too far from the WeHo strip (even if it is just a 15 minute drive away). Silverlake is no longer the gay epicenter it once was in the 50s or 60s. The neighborhood now houses a more heterogeneous demographic of people. The second theory as to why The Black Cat is “less gay” is the lack of knowledge of the historical and cultural importance of this historic event that took place. When we think of queer activism, Stonewall is often the first that comes to mind. The historic Stonewall Riots (not a demonstration) frequently overshadows the powerful but peaceful demonstration just two years prior. The Stonewall Inn does not face the same problem of The Black Cat, because it Is in the heart of Greenwhich Villiage (the queer neighborhood of NYC), as Silverlake is no longer the queer hub it once was, but should still be.
With these findings, I hope to breathe new queer life into The Black Cat. This location would be a great place to house Drag Brunches, or even market to an older queer crowed that still wants to have their fun, but may be a bit more demure and off the beaten path from the extreme WeHo nightlife. It is essential to support and preserve our queer establishments, this applies more to a historic-Cultural Monument location like The Black Cat. So if you are an L.A. local or planning to visit Los Angeles, be sure to visit this iconic queer establisment.
The Black Cat
3909 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, California
Phone Number: (323) 661-6369
Made by Joe Eric Sanchez
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