Regulars band together to save the Boulevard, the only gay bar in Pasadena and a safe haven for the LGBTQ community in the area and beyond.
Steve Terradot learned how to play pool in the back room at the Boulevard bar in Pasadena in 1981. He spent many nights there, relishing the feelings of safety and community the space provided.
“I wanted to work in the gay community,” said Terradot, who moved to Los Angeles from Hacienda Heights in the late 1970s. In his hometown, he felt ashamed and struggled to acknowledge his identity. The move afforded him the opportunity.In 1985, he started bartending at the Boulevard. In 1999, he bought the bar. “What once was my worst thing in life became my biggest gift,” he said.
About three years ago, Terradot needed a bartender, and Lanza offered to help. He would finish up the day’s construction projects and then step behind the bar to cut fruit and prep for the night staff. Terradot taught him how to bartend and the two became good friends. Terradot did not receive his first unemployment check until June 2020. This year, payments stopped in March, and he hasn’t received a check since. Despite daily calls, he has been unable to get anyone from the state Employment Development Department on the phone. He’d been using his unemployment checks to pay the bills and considered taking out a mortgage on his home. The money he received from his single PPP loan in 2020 is long gone.
Lanza, Chou, Terradot and a group of regulars shared the fundraiser on their social media accounts and waited for word to spread and for donations. Since it was posted, the GoFundMe page has been shared nearly 1,000 times.Steve Terradot places rainbow flags in their holders above the front entrance to his Pasadena gay bar, the Boulevard.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Eddie Hearn Goes Scorched Earth on Floyd vs. Logan, 'It Was Absolute Dog S***'We have to save boxing …No more s*** fights for great money
Read more »
'Bar Rescue' Helps Struggling Restaurant In Emotional 200th EpisodeET spoke with the 'Bar Rescue' star about the powerful episode and saving bars amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Read more »
The young people fighting to save their careersFrom Crawley to Cadiz, young people are fighting for their careers as the covid pandemic continues.
Read more »
TODAY's exclusive Father's Day deals are here: Save up to 40% offFrom Sharper Image to Lands' End, save big on the best Father's Day gifts this year.
Read more »