Emergency Fire Relief for Ben and Eddie McGrath

Dear Queer Community,

My name is Leslie Schultze and I am raising funds to support my best friend Ben McGrath, as he recovers from a recent fire that has destroyed many of his belongings and left he, his roommate John Cartwright, and his cat Eddie displaced from their home.

If you have any spent time in a queer bar in San Francisco in the last 18 years, Ben McGrath has likely served you a drink. He probably flashed you a smile from behind the bar in those little short shorts that melted your hard queer heart and made you swoon. Ben is a loving and devoted friend, cat dad, and brother to many who regularly pays his hard-earned bar tips forward to drag performers, dancers, and industry folk. During shelter-in-place, he and John produced some of the most iconic “shot videos” for Princess and Drag Alive, helping elevate our spirits week after week. In addition to his bartending jobs, Ben also works from home 9-5, Monday through Friday. He has supported countless community members and organizations both financially and from behind the bar in the years that I have known him, and now it is his turn to receive our gratitude.

In the early morning hours of June 29th, a fire broke out against the exterior wall of Ben’s apartment in San Francisco. He, Eddie, and John spent the next several hours watching from the street as firefighters broke through windows and tore open the walls and ceilings of Ben's bedroom to extinguish the blaze. Although the fire was out relatively quickly, the damage from smoke, water, and firefighter activity was substantial. Clothing, furniture, and items essential to Ben's ability to work from home were trampled and ruined. Having lived in the apartment for nearly sixteen years, Ben had amassed a collection of irreplaceable items from iconic SF bars such as the Stud and the Lexington Club, as well as several important family heirlooms and one-of-a-kind pieces of art.

Even more devastating, however, has been the loss of his sanctuary and stability. Ben may be all casual charm and charisma while behind the bar, but in reality, he is an introvert who recharges and finds peace in his home and routine. He has struggled since the fire to find an affordable hotel that will accept Eddie and has had to rely on takeout for meals. As of right now, we do not know when the apartment will be safely habitable -- anywhere from weeks to months -- and the financial impact is becoming significant.

All funds collected will go towards paying multiple insurance deductibles, temporary lodging, meals and laundry, as well as the professional cleaning of all Ben's personal belongings. Please join me in supporting Ben and Eddie in any way you can. Even the smallest amount helps.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart,

Leslie