Club at Firestone Sends Mixed Messages
by Rich Charron

The Club took over an old Firestone Tire shop on the corner of Orange Ave. and Concord St.

In a press statement released on Friday, November 10, the Club @ Firestone announced that it will no longer be hosting their traditional gay-friendly Saturday nights and will target a more "mixed-preference" crowd. It is one in a series of recent changes and new additions to the local gay-club scene and may be an indication that the market has reached its limits.

While it seems likely that competition has forced the latest adjustments at the Club on Orange Avenue, the press release claimed the decision was based on lagging alcohol sales directly related to an increase in drug use within the gay community. The release also noted that "drug use creates additional liability for the club, and endangers its liquor license" much to the chagrin of local community members.

But many in the community feel like George's press release was unnecessary and serves to encourage negative and hostile feelings toward the entire community. According to Chris Alexander-Manley, former Executive Director of the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Community Center, "Statements like this help reinforce stereotypes and create negative publicity."

When GayOrlando.com contacted Club management, owner Jan Harrold expressed dismay over the release. "The release doesn't reflect the views of the current management of The Club," Harrold insisted. When asked to explain the earlier release, Harrold reiterated that it was not indicative of current management feeling and noted the Dan George is no longer employed by The Club at Firestone.

A sign hangs over the entrance stating The Club's position on illegal substances .

George claimed in the official statement that while they hope to continue to support the community that has supported them for so many years, they believe that a top priority is to increase awareness of the "drug epidemic that currently plagues the gay community." Whether or not those efforts would also be extended to the general public was not clear. George did not return our messages or requests for comments.

This Saturday night will be the last "gay" night, though The Club plans to unveil a new "fresh weekday promotion" in the near future. Whether or not the gay community continues to support The Club in the wake of this latest development remains to be seen.

The city designated the building a historic landmark in 1982.

Since 1993, the dance club located at 578 N. Orange Ave. has catered to the gay community. They etched out a place in the local club scene by providing a refreshing alternative on Saturday nights. Along the way, they introduced Central Florida to "drag racing" a contest that had bar patrons racing from one station to another, adding clothing and accessories and slamming a shot of liquor at each, before ending up on stage where the audience would vote for their favorite. The light show and world-class DJ's also introduced the community to a preview of the circuit-party life.

At about the same time The Club also introduced Orlando to the rave culture, which ultimately led to head-to-head confrontations with city officials and local law enforcement. As the regular club patrons filed out at 2 AM closing, the line of "club kids" would already be extended down the block, ready to take over and rave well into the next morning.

Some where along the way, the cultures seem to blend into one. The city put the brakes on all-night raves and kicked all of the young adults off the streets of Orlando with a controversial curfew. The Club came under scrutiny for alleged drug activity and was raided several times by the Orlando Police Department. Many in the community felt that it was a political move by local law enforcement and that The Club was being targeted merely because of its gay clientele. Club management tried working with the city, and many members of the gay community supported The Club during those trying times.

Several new clubs have opened in the Orlando area during the past couple of months. Most notably, Empire seems to have provided the Club with their first-ever real competition. Empire's dazzling lights, laser effects and top DJ's attract the same crowds that had gathered at The Club each Saturday night.

What do you think? Join the discussion now.

Related links:

Club @ Firestone Press Release:
http://gayorlando.com/gonews/orlando_releases/club_111000.html

GayOrlando.com's Bar & Club Guide:
http://gayorlando.com/goout/bar_club/bar_club.html

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