Bridget Veltri
arts@mustangdaily.net
Homophobes and the like best avoid Native Lounge in downtown San Luis Obispo on Sunday nights from now on.
Synergy, a night dedicated to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community (and friends) is now happening every Sunday at Native instead of just the first Sunday of the month.
Since coming to college here in SLO I have spent my fair share of hours at the bars, but my experience at Synergy was unlike any I had at any bar anywhere.
I went as a “wing woman” to my dear friend, and as a straight woman who had never been to a gay bar or night before I wasn’t quite sure what I was in for but I was excited to support my friend and the a part of the community that I feel is underrepresented to say the least. I didn’t mind paying the $5 cover because proceeds from that night were going towards AIDS research.
I will admit that I observed more than I danced that Sunday, and was surprised and a little disappointed that no one really hit on me, but as I stood among the group and watched as my friend (who really didn’t need a wing woman at all) danced beneath the strobe lights I began to feel proud. Proud of her for embracing who she is, happy that this night exists in SLO, and that there’s a place like Native is host to it. Proud that instead of being bound like bike night to one night a month, Synergy is now weekly just like beirut and pint night.
It may be a small step to having a full fledge bar catering to the GLBT community in town, but it’s a start, and a classy one at that.