I was so excited to see Queer Love in History recently feature Jimmie White's Tavern, a Tampa lesbian bar that operated in the 1950s and '60s.
The story: Photographer and LGBTQ activist Bobby Smith captured scenes of queer joy, including an unofficial wedding, at Jimmy White's, sometimes referred to as La Concha or Cucujo's — a reference to the owner, Jo.
Why it matters: Even now, lesbian bars are a dying breed. There are only around 24 left in the nation — down from about 200 in 1980, according to The Lesbian Bar Project, which tracks and supports lesbian bars.
These are vital spaces for queer women and trans folks who want a different scene from the typical gay bar.
"Weeknight regulars at Cucojo’s were literally the salt of the earth – working class gay people with socially prohibitive evenings because of their work hours, finding friendship and acceptance at this bar," Ditto wrote in a 2003 issue.
The bar was in a building that no longer appears to exist, in the area of downtown Tampa near where Oxford Exchange is now.