Citizens protest opening of bar on OKC’s 39th St. District
By Chris Andoe
Out in STL &
Robin Dorner
The Gayly
Members of the OKC LGBTQ+ community came together on Saturday, September 6, to protest the Grand Opening of a new bar on the popular 39th St. District.
The Gayly September issue included letters to the editor objecting to the opening of the bar.
“I am writing with deep frustration and disappointment regarding the recent opening of The Hollywood in our beloved district,” wrote one activist writer. “At a time when our community faces relentless attacks from politicians and policymakers both here in Oklahoma and across the nation, it feels like an insult to have a business rooted in hate plant itself in the heart of our neighborhood.”
Another activist writer wrote, “OKC is already an incredibly diverse city; our Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian families are pioneers of the variety of cultural experiences and learning opportunities available to the metro area. With the establishment of the 2sLGBTQ-safe ‘gayborhood,’ this diversity is heightened, tying Oklahomans of all backgrounds together in unity and love—and so it has been for over 50 years.”
They went on to write, “We shall not pay the electric bill and rent for individuals who seek to destroy and deport our own community members. We shall not drink in the company of those who support re-education camps and government-sponsored medical neglect. We shall not dine with the party of chains, and we certainly shall not perform our art for a crowd of fascists—no matter the fascists’ sexual orientation.”
A Gayly contributor was visiting the 39th St. District on Saturday night and listened to perspectives from both sides.
“I was on the strip supporting a show at another venue and heard about the protest at the new Hollywood club,” said Brandon Edgman, who has contributed photo coverage of various events in The Gayly. “We were approached by numerous protesters who said, ‘Don’t go in there. Don’t support them.’”
Edgman said he saw protesters holding signs, but it was a very quiet protest. He also said that while he was at yet another venue, he found several people who stated that the protest was due to one of the owners allegedly verbalizing “something like” a racial slur earlier in the year at venues on the strip and had been asked not to return to those venues in the past. Still, no one seemed to know exactly what had been said.
He visited with several people throughout the night and met with mixed reviews about the opening of the Hollywood. He also noted that attendance inside the club was low, yet a purported “large group” of protesters was outside.
Here is another perspective Edgman reported: “As I went through the night, I thought, ‘They are protesting this club because of one owner’s political views. We are so quick to judge these people for opening a bar on our strip in a building that has been empty for a year or more, yet they are bringing jobs and money into the community. Even if you disagree with their political views, they are still part of the gay community, and I think as a gay man living in OKC, our gay community is so small, and we were quick to judge them.’”
Edgman also said many people were indifferent to the views of the new bar owners. Some were happy to see a new club open, but others said they wouldn’t give the bar a chance.
The Gayly, 09/07/2025 @ 6:19 p.m. CST.