Help Oharas
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Plea for O'Hara's
This summer I have been trying to reopen a bar, O'Hara's that I operated in the 1990's in Shannon, Mississippi "“ a small town south of Tupelo. The bar mainly served LGBT customers, though it was welcoming to all. The bar was a place where LGBT people could gather and socialize without fear, and was the only gay bar within about a 100-mile radius.
Since I've owned businesses and had owned a bar in Shannon before, I didn't think it would be a problem to get a license and reopen O'Hara's. I thought it would be easy "“ just complete the requirements, pass inspection and like any other business obtain a license and open the doors.
I was wrong.
When I went to apply for the license, I was told that I would have to go before the Board of Aldermen. So on June 4, I went into the meeting confident and positive that by the end of the meeting I would have my business license for O'Hara's.
That didn't happen.
Instead, a group of at least 30 townspeople were at the meeting and my application was at the top of the agenda.I was confronted with a petition against the bar signed by almost 200 of the town's 1800 residents. Citizens and alderman questions were full or fear and even insults. I felt alone, shocked and frustrated, but I attempted to answer their questions and addressed their concerns.
Although my application met all the requirements, the board rejected it citing public health and safety concerns.
After leaving the meeting, I went to the bar, loaded up some personal items and decided I was finished. I would leave and not return. I would not open the bar. But while driving, I realized that was exactly what those people who insulted me wanted me to do and I changed my mind. I thought about my friends, my customers and the people who needed a place to work and perform.
I knew that if I walked away, it would be the wrong thing to do. The board could not do this and get away with it. I'm now fighting this through legal avenues, but I still want to open my bar and I need help. I signed a lease for the building and had all utilities turned on expecting to have my bar open. Now I'm struggling to pay the bills because I can't open the doors. With your help, I can keep my lease until this legal battle is over.
This summer I have been trying to reopen a bar, O'Hara's that I operated in the 1990's in Shannon, Mississippi "“ a small town south of Tupelo. The bar mainly served LGBT customers, though it was welcoming to all. The bar was a place where LGBT people could gather and socialize without fear, and was the only gay bar within about a 100-mile radius.
Since I've owned businesses and had owned a bar in Shannon before, I didn't think it would be a problem to get a license and reopen O'Hara's. I thought it would be easy "“ just complete the requirements, pass inspection and like any other business obtain a license and open the doors.
I was wrong.
When I went to apply for the license, I was told that I would have to go before the Board of Aldermen. So on June 4, I went into the meeting confident and positive that by the end of the meeting I would have my business license for O'Hara's.
That didn't happen.
Instead, a group of at least 30 townspeople were at the meeting and my application was at the top of the agenda.I was confronted with a petition against the bar signed by almost 200 of the town's 1800 residents. Citizens and alderman questions were full or fear and even insults. I felt alone, shocked and frustrated, but I attempted to answer their questions and addressed their concerns.
Although my application met all the requirements, the board rejected it citing public health and safety concerns.
After leaving the meeting, I went to the bar, loaded up some personal items and decided I was finished. I would leave and not return. I would not open the bar. But while driving, I realized that was exactly what those people who insulted me wanted me to do and I changed my mind. I thought about my friends, my customers and the people who needed a place to work and perform.
I knew that if I walked away, it would be the wrong thing to do. The board could not do this and get away with it. I'm now fighting this through legal avenues, but I still want to open my bar and I need help. I signed a lease for the building and had all utilities turned on expecting to have my bar open. Now I'm struggling to pay the bills because I can't open the doors. With your help, I can keep my lease until this legal battle is over.
Organizer
Oharas Tupelo
Organizer
Memphis, TN
