Night of the Living Queers by Shelly Page

Joy, a twelve-year-old trans girl, just moved to Texas with her mother and older brother. “I’m not trying to pressure you / Just can’t stop thinkin’ ‘bout you / You ain’t even really gotta be my girlfriend / I just wanna know your name.Joy, to the World by Kai Shappley and Lisa Bunker The night closed aptly with an audience singalong appropriate to the theme of forging emotional intimacy among strangers: an acoustic rendition of “ Just Friends”: Many of the acts moved the audience in unanticipated ways. Even in intimate, hesitant moments, as when a singer shied from the mic, claps and cheers filled the awkward pauses, and the show went on. These included anecdotes about sex or undergoing medical transitions or, for example, unwanted advances on the job as a stripper. His infectious laughter leavened the transitions between performers, some of whom shared visceral stories about joy and grief. Tony Moore, a “Mic” co-host who emcees many local drag shows and live events, is known locally as the voice of West Hollywood. “I love that people are all different generations, and we’re just all writers,” Magy said of “The Mic.” “ brings people together in an emotive way, you know, that crosses generations and crosses time.” She was grateful for an open mic that might fill that void. As these bars disappeared, she felt the loss of institutions where women would gather socially, romantically and intergenerationally. Magy remembered a time in the ‘90s when lesbian bars in Los Angeles were thriving.

So it’s fitting that the organizers are reimagining what Micky’s can provide beyond partying, in this case, by offering a live event that doesn’t require you to be wasted to enjoy the show. Gay bars and clubs are among the few establishments that offer queer people the chance to socialize without fear of exclusion or worse. “The Mic,” a new poetry-rooted performance series that launched in March, has found an unexpected home at Micky’s, and a time slot - 7 to 9 p.m. Among the liveliest venues is Micky’s, a two-story nightclub hosting drag shows and DJs, and this year’s Pride felt much the same there as in prepandemic years - except for a new event last Tuesday evening featuring a fresh form of queer expression: a gay open-mic night. During Pride Month, every gay bar and club in WeHo, as it’s colloquially known, is filled to the brim with partygoers dancing to blasting music as go-go dancers strip for tips. West Hollywood is known as the Los Angeles epicenter of the LGBTQ community.

Night of the Living Queers by Shelly Page