Souad & Silverman/Subjugated Voices, 9. #OrlandoStrong: Yes, Baby, the Gay Bar is Still Our Church—Still Our Religion

Marie Cartier’s chapter, “#OrlandoStrong: Yes, Baby, the Gay Bar is Still Our Church—Still Our Religion,” is a memorial to the members of the LGBTQ+ community who were tragically murdered in a gun massacre at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida in 2016. Social media platforms enabled a rapid response with memorials and vigils held nationwide. The massacre underscored the significance of gay bars as sanctuaries for the LGBTQ+ community. Cartier further describes gay bars as sacred spaces, indeed the first spaces historically to offer solidarity, empowerment, and self-discovery to LGTBQ+ people. In remembering the forty-nine victims of the Pulse nightclub massacre, Cartier highlights the ongoing struggle for acceptance and the vital role these spaces play in the lives of queer individuals. This chapter celebrates the place gay bars hold in LGBTQ+ history, the author’s personal experiences, and the vital role they continue to play for so many.