Cruising | A Lesbian Bar Road Trip

This is our full interview tape Ruthie Boirie. We usually only release full interviews on our Patreon page, but we feel like everyone deserves to hear the extended Ruthie story! Ruthie is a regular customer at Ginger's and the owner of Ruthie's Neighborhood Barbershop, a Park Slope staple for 26 years. She's also kind of a local celebrity. You can hear some of her stories in person AND get a great haircut by visiting Ruthie at her barbershop at 66 St Marks Avenue in Brooklyn, NY.   --Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! -We have MERCH! Order by Monday, December 12th to get it in time for the winter holidays-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-Want more bonus content? Wan to support Cruising? Become a Patron at https://www.patreon.com/cruisingpod-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman’s work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin. Support the show

Stop #21: Ginger's. When we left on our road trip to visit every lesbian bar in the U.S. last fall, our own neighborhood lesbian bar sat shuttered. Like all bars and restaurants in New York, Ginger's closed due to the pandemic in March of 2020. In September of 2021, we still had no idea if or when it would ever re-open. But a few weeks after we returned home from our trip, it was announced on Instagram; Ginger's was coming back! In our final episode of season 1, we're honored to share the stories of two women who are absolutely essential to the Ginger's community. There's Sheila Frayne, who opened Ginger's bar in 2000. She was born in Ireland and immigrated to the United States in her early 20s. She never for a second doubted Ginger's would re-open after the pandemic. And then there's Ruthie. If you've ever been to Ginger's, you have probably met Ruthie. Or maybe you know her from her barbershop, which sits about a mile north of the bar. She's a bit of a local celebrity...though she might tell you otherwise.Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Want to support Cruising? Join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/cruisingpod-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman’s work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.-Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, HondaSupport the show

Hi Listeners!A quick update for you all: we know we are overdue for another episode of Cruising and that is because we are working hard on our season 1 finale!! Our season finale will feature our very own 'home' bar, Ginger's, located in Brooklyn. Keep an eye out for this episode to drop sometime in August. And yes, this means we will be coming back for a season 2!! Subscribe and follow along on social media for more updates.Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Want to support Cruising? Join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/cruisingpod-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman’s work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.Support the show

Stop #20: Babes of Carytown. Babes of Carytown, or Babe's for short, has been around since 1979. These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that call it a home. Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Want to support Cruising? Join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/cruisingpod-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman’s work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.-Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, HondaSupport the showSupport the show

Stop #19: The Lipstick Lounge. The Lipstick Lounge was established in 2002 in Nashville, TN. These are the stories of the humans that run is and the humans that call it a home. Jonda Valentine founded The Lipstick Lounge in 2002 because she missed the community and fellowship that the church once provided her. A few months later, Christa Suppan became co-owner, and has helped to foster a sense of family there for 20 years. Krystal, a performer and bartender, is a member of that family. As are Lynn Hearn and BB McQueen, who have been friends since age 16. They met writing and performing sex ed skits as peer educators with Planned Parenthood, and have been performing ever since.  Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Want to support Cruising? Join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/cruisingpod-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman’s work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.-Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, HondaSupport the show

Stop #18: My Sister's Room. My Sisters Room (MSR) is one of the longest running lesbian bars of the south. These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that call it a home. Jen Maguire got her start in the Atlanta queer scene doing drag. And today? She owns My Sister's Room with her wife, Jami Maguire. Jill works security at MSR, and the job has helped her cut down on drinking while still allowing her to be an integral part of the community. Skyler raised funds for his top surgery at MSR--and landed a spot on Queer Eye chronicling his journey. And Madison, a regular at MSR, details the experience of being in Atlanta during the BLM protests following George Floyd's murder, and MSR's support during this time. Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Want to support Cruising? Join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/cruisingpod-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman’s work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.-Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, HondaSupport the show

Stop #17: Herz! Herz was founded in a Mobile, AL in October of 2019. It is a Black, queer, woman owned space. These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that call it a home. From the outside, Herz might be mistaken for a strip club. And that's intentional, according to co-owner Rachel. Rachel owns Herz with her wife, Sheila, who wanted to open a lesbian bar in her retirement. Kyler, a bartender at Herz, moved to Mobile from Birmingham, and immediately got a job at Herz. And Beyonce, who got his nickname from a group of bikers at another bar in town, bartends there as well.  Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Want to support Cruising? Join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/cruisingpod or visit www.cruisingpod.com/donate-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman’s work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.Support the show

Stop #16: Pearl Bar! Located in Houston, Pearl Bar is our second stop in Texas. These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that call it a home.Julie Mabry has wanted to open a lesbian bar ever since she visited her first one at 16 years old with her sister, Sarah. Sarah, who struggled through much of her adolescence, felt comfortable for the first time walking into that lesbian bar. And Julie noticed. Today, Julie owns Pearl Bar, and has created a safe haven there for all sorts of people. Like Paige, a single mom who picks up extra shifts with her Pearl Bar family when she needs. And Eve, who was born and raised in Lebanon, and came to the U.S. to live freely and openly.  Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Want to support Cruising? Join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/cruisingpod or visit www.cruisingpod.com/donate-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman’s work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.Support the show

Stop #15: Sue Ellen's! Sue Ellen's is one of two lesbian bars in the state of Texas. It's located in Oaklawn, Dallas's gayborhood. These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that call it a home.Kathy Jack, was 18 years old when she started frequenting the Dallas gay bars in the late 1970s. Now the General Manager of Sue Ellen's, Kathy has over 40 years of Dallas's LGBTQ+ history to share. Erica has been coming to Sue Ellen's since 2008, and she now runs a group called Lez Be Friends Dallas, which aims to build community and bring business to the bar. Shelly first started bartending at Sue Ellen's in 1994. And after leaving to pursue a 20 year career in teaching, she now finds herself back behind the bar.Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Want to support Cruising? Join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/cruisingpod or visit www.cruisingpod.com/donate-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman’s work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.Support the show

Stop #14: YBR Pub! YBR is the third of Oklahoma's three lesbian bars. Its full name is "Yellow Brick Road Pub" but everyone calls it YBR. These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that call it a home.Kevie didn't know other gay people existed growing up in Checotah, Oklahoma in the 60s and 70s. But by 2000, she had opened her very own lesbian bar in Tulsa: YBR. Since 2000, YBR has been a home and a community to many. There's Amanda, YBR's General Manager; Sarah, former bartender and current therapist; and Erica, longtime YBR regular.Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! -Want to support Cruising? Join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/cruisingpod or visit www.cruisingpod.com/donate-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman’s work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin.Support the show

Stop #13: Frankie's! Frankie's is the second of Oklahoma's three lesbian bars. We visited Frankie's on a Tuesday, which happens to be family night at the bar. These are the stories of the humans we met there.   Raven got her start in drag at 16, performing at the Wreck Room, Oklahoma City's now closed all-ages LGBTQ+ club. Nearly 30 years later, you can find Raven performing almost exclusively at Frankie's. Tracy has been going to lesbian bars in Oklahoma City since the late 1970s, and has owned Frankie's with her wife, Ann, since 2017. Holly helped Tracy and Ann get the bar up and running, and she and her partner Smokey are now regulars there. You'll have to listen to find out how Smokey got her name!Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! -Want to support Cruising? Join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/cruisingpod or visit www.cruisingpod.com/donate-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman’s work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin. Support the show

Stop number twelve: Alibi's! Oklahoma is the state with the highest number of known lesbian bars per capita, and is tied with only New York for the state with the highest number of lesbian bars total. Alibi's is the first of Oklahoma's three lesbian bars. These are the stories of the humans that run Alibi's and the humans that call it a home. Lily discovered Alibi's shortly after moving to Oklahoma to take care of her Grandmother. Krystal took over Alibi's in 2013, and met her wife Tiffany at the bar shortly thereafter. Lisa, a bartender at Alibi's, got her first taste of LGBTQ+ nightlife at 15, going to the now closed Oklahoma City underage dance club, the Wreck Room. And Sarah (along with her dog Oreo) has found a home at Alibi's--a place where she can truly be herself.  Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-Want to support Cruising? Join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/cruisingpod or visit www.cruisingpod.com/donate-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman’s work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin. Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cruisingpod)Support the show

Stop number eleven: Boycott Bar! What started as a bi-weekly pop-up party ultimately became a permanent fixture of the Phoenix LGBTQ+ nightlife scene. These are the stories of the humans that run Boycott Bar and the humans that call it home.Audrey Corley, the owner of Boycott, can often be found behind the bar with a wireless microphone in hand, amping up the crowd. And Nick, a longtime bartender and Boycott's unofficial "resident medic" is often right by Audrey's side. While the two of them serve up drinks with admirable speed, they are incredibly diligent about making sure their patrons have a safe ride home.  Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-Want to support Cruising? Join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/cruisingpod or visit www.cruisingpod.com/donate-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman’s work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin. Support the show

Stop number ten: Gossip Grill! Established in 2009, Gossip Grill is located in San Diego's "gayborhood" Hillcrest.  These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that call it home.Moe Girton opened Gossip Grill after "accidentally" turning another bar where she bartended into a lesbian bar. Elisha was kicked out for being gay at 17, and found a home and a family working at Gossip. Lisa is at Gossip at least a few nights a week, and we were lucky enough to meet her when we visited. Lisa is a member of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a charity organization comprised of queer and trans nuns working to combat shame, spread love, and serve their communities. Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-Want to support Cruising? Join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/cruisingpod or visit www.cruisingpod.com/donate-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman’s work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin. Support the show

Stop number nine: Wild Side West! Wild Side West, now located in San Francisco's Bernal Heights neighborhood, has been around for nearly 50 years. These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that have called it home.Pat Ramseyer opened the bar in 1962 at it's original location in Oakland, CA, and successfully ran the bar until she passed in 2010. Billie Hayes inherited the bar, and despite having never even bartended, kept it alive and well for the years to come. And Donna has been visiting Wild Side West since she moved to San Francisco from Texas in 1970 at age 20.  Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-Want to support Cruising? Join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/cruisingpod or visit www.cruisingpod.com/donate-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman’s work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin. Support the show

Stop number eight: Wildrose! Wildrose, located in Seattle, WA, has been around since its opening night party on New Year's Eve ringing in 1985. These are the stories of the humans that have called it home.Bryher Herak founded Wildrose, running the bar for fifteen-plus years while balancing a successful law career. Lamar Van Dyke ran a tattoo shop next door to Wildrose for eighteen years, and was of course a regular customer. And today, Martha Manning and Shelly Brothers run the Wildrose in an ever-changing Capitol Hill neighborhood.  Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-Want to support Cruising? Join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/cruisingpod or visit www.cruisingpod.com/donate-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman’s work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin. Support the show

This is our full interview with Shirley J. Ever since visiting Nobody's Darling in Chicago, it was clear we had to get an interview with Shirley. Not only is she a regular there, but everyone refers to her as The Mayor of Nobody's Darling. It a fair amount of tracking down and persuading, but we finally got Shirley on the phone. We started by talking about her life as a young queer person in 1970s Chicago. Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-Want to support Cruising? Visit www.cruisingpod.com/donate-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman’s work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin. Support the show

Stop number seven: Walker's Pint! Walker's Pint, located in the Walker's Point neighborhood of Milwaukee, WI, is a lesbian bar with the motto "Be nice or leave." These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that call it a home.Bet-Z Boenning founded Walker's Pint in 2001. Lex has been bartending at Walker's Pint for 17 years, and says her friendship with Bet-Z is what keeps her there. And regular customers Annie and Becky realized they were in love in 1995, after a near death experience. Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-Want to support Cruising? Visit www.cruisingpod.com/donate-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman’s work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Theme song by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin. Support the show

Hi Listeners! Here's a quick message from the Cruising Podcast team. We hope you are staying safe and healthy as we wrap out 2021. We're off this week for the holidays and will be back on Monday, January 3rd with our exciting Milwaukee episode, featuring Walker's Pint. 'Til next year! Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-Want to support Cruising? Visit www.cruisingpod.com/donate-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman’s work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Music by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin. Support the show

Stop number six: Nobody's Darling! Nobody's Darling, in Chicago, IL, is a Black-owned, women-owned, and LGBT-owned craft cocktail bar. These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that call it a home.Renauda Riddle and Angela Barnes opened the bar in May, 2021, naming it after the Alice Walker poem, "Be Nobody's Darling." Shirley J has been a part of LGBT nightlife in Chicago since the 1970s, and is now affectionately called 'The Mayor of Nobody's Darling.' And Xavier Sumter planned to leave Chicago...until he started bartending at Nobody's Darling.Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-Want to support Cruising? Visit www.cruisingpod.com/donate-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok-For a transcription of this episode, visit www.cruisingpod.com/episodes-Like our theme song and music? Subscribe to our composer Joey Freeman’s work HERE!-Cover art by Finley Martin. Like what you see? Check out her work HERE!-Cruising is reported and produced by Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity. Music by Joey Freeman. Cover Art by Finley Martin. Support the show