I prefer openness to the alternative.

Mid 1970s would be my guess.

Definitely by the late 1970s.

(08-22-2018 12:24 AM)snowtiger Wrote:  What year did the first openly gay bar arrive on the scene in Memphis?

That would have to be George's. As to what year exactly it would be considered "openly" gay as opposed to it was known to be gay is probably a bit of a gray or grey area. But George's opened in 1969 and was no doubt a gay bar.

(08-23-2018 11:12 AM)SayWhat? Wrote:  

(08-22-2018 12:24 AM)snowtiger Wrote:  What year did the first openly gay bar arrive on the scene in Memphis?

That would have to be George's. As to what year exactly it would be considered "openly" gay as opposed to it was known to be gay is probably a bit of a gray or grey area. But George's opened in 1969 and was no doubt a gay bar.

I believe you are Right, I remember hearing that name back in the day. I forget where George's was located.

(08-23-2018 11:12 AM)SayWhat? Wrote:  

(08-22-2018 12:24 AM)snowtiger Wrote:  What year did the first openly gay bar arrive on the scene in Memphis?

That would have to be George's. As to what year exactly it would be considered "openly" gay as opposed to it was known to be gay is probably a bit of a gray or grey area. But George's opened in 1969 and was no doubt a gay bar.

Nice.

Lost Memphis: GDI on the River. GDI stood for "George's Disco Incorporated." George's was the first gay bar in Memphis, having been opened by George Wilson in what is now Blue Nile Ethiopian Restaurant at 1786 Madison in 1969. George Wilson was not involved in the ownership or operation of GDI on the River when it opened in 1988, but it paid him homage nevertheless. This building (and sign) at the northwest corner of Front and Huling was recently torn down.

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Friends of Georges

Go to sleep, Cletus.

(08-25-2018 03:03 AM)AlonsoWDC Wrote:  Go to sleep, Cletus.

Gil Gideon executive secretary of the TSSAA presents CBHS football coach Tom Nix with a plaque for CBHS Class AAA State Football Championship, Memphis TN - Circa 1978

Other Memphis area coaches receiving state champion coaches plaques are Joe Branch (Bolton Class A boys basketball), Dorsey Sims (Melrose Class AAA boys basketball) and Ronn Rubio (Harding cross country).

Bolton High School's Otis Jackson & Bolton coach Joe Branch look over scholarship paperwork that will make Jackson a Memphis State Tiger, Memphis TN - Circa 1978

Jackson, a 6-1 All-State guard, led Bolton to the state Class A Championship and was voted the MVP in the Class A State Tournament. He led Bolton to 70 victories over the past two seasons.
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Battle scarred and stripped of armament, the 'Memphis Belle' was enshrined by Mayor Watkins Overton at the National Guard Armory, Central Ave., Memphis TN - Circa 1950
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(09-10-2018 09:22 PM)Cletus Wrote:  

Gil Gideon executive secretary of the TSSAA presents CBHS football coach Tom Nix with a plaque for CBHS Class AAA State Football Championship, Memphis TN - Circa 1978

Other Memphis area coaches receiving state champion coaches plaques are Joe Branch (Bolton Class A boys basketball), Dorsey Sims (Melrose Class AAA boys basketball) and Ronn Rubio (Harding cross country).

Whoa, that photo brought back a nightmare.

(09-13-2018 08:50 AM)TigerBill Wrote:  

(09-10-2018 09:22 PM)Cletus Wrote:  Gil Gideon executive secretary of the TSSAA presents CBHS football coach Tom Nix with a plaque for CBHS Class AAA State Football Championship, Memphis TN - Circa 1978

Other Memphis area coaches receiving state champion coaches plaques are Joe Branch (Bolton Class A boys basketball), Dorsey Sims (Melrose Class AAA boys basketball) and Ronn Rubio (Harding cross country).

Whoa, that photo brought back a nightmare.

TigerBill ............ did you play for Coach Nix?

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(09-14-2018 01:42 PM)Cletus Wrote:  

(09-13-2018 08:50 AM)TigerBill Wrote:  

(09-10-2018 09:22 PM)Cletus Wrote:  Gil Gideon executive secretary of the TSSAA presents CBHS football coach Tom Nix with a plaque for CBHS Class AAA State Football Championship, Memphis TN - Circa 1978

Other Memphis area coaches receiving state champion coaches plaques are Joe Branch (Bolton Class A boys basketball), Dorsey Sims (Melrose Class AAA boys basketball) and Ronn Rubio (Harding cross country).

Whoa, that photo brought back a nightmare.

TigerBill ............ did you play for Coach Nix?

.

Wasn't Nix at Hillcrest first?

Edit: it was apparently Whitehaven.

Tom Nix, an outstanding football player for the Tigers, is one of the most noted high school coaches in Memphis, played football for Ralph Hatley at Memphis in 1949 and 1950. Nix was a standout offensive and defensive lineman for Hatley’s’ high-scoring Tiger unit. In 1949 he was named the Player of the Game for perhaps Memphis’ most important of modern times. Nix’s defensive performance during the Kansas State victory earned him the honor. That contest is consider the first major win in school history and propelled the U of M into the major college level. He was also selected to the Tigers’ All-Time Team in 1958 which was picked by coaches Hatley, Muprhy, Zach Curlin and Cecil C. Humphreys. After graduation he became a coach at Whitehaven High and moved to CBHS in 1956. He remained the coach at CBHS until 1984 when he became the full-time athletic director for the Brothers. His career prep coaching record stands at 239-79-7. Nix is a member of the M Club Hall of Fame and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and is a recipient of the Billy J. Murphy Award.

Star Wars, Memphian Theatre Marquee, Union Ave. entrance, Memphis TN - Circa 1977

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(03-09-2017 08:06 PM)FunkaliciousTiger Wrote:  

I spent a month in there on night.

Overton Square Christmas Tree, Madison Ave at Cooper St, Memphis TN - Circa 1980

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Snow at Overton Square for a Dickens Christmas, Madison Ave. at N. Cooper St., Memphis TN - Circa 1976
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Newspaper Editorial Cartoon, What Presents Santa Brings Memphis, Memphis TN - Circa 1912
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