The sale of Cheer Up Charlies, a beloved Austin queer bar, has been called off, marking another twist in a chaotic year for the establishment. The bar's owner, Maggie Lea, confirmed that the deal with Pride Holdings Group, a Florida investment firm, has been amicably terminated. This decision comes after the local queer community expressed shock and concern over the potential sale, which was announced just days after the bar raised funds to pay back rent.
The bar's identity as a safe space for queer Austinites was at stake, and many felt that corporate ownership would disrupt this sense of community. The deal would have seen Pride Holdings Group take over the bar's finances, with Lea and Hoover remaining as managers. However, the company's history of acquiring struggling LGBTQ+ bars in the U.S. and Australia raised eyebrows among some.
The controversy sparked a heated debate on social media, with many Austinites expressing their opposition to the sale. Longtime drag performer Brigitte Bandit, who worked almost exclusively at Cheer Ups, voiced her concerns about the role of capitalism in queer spaces. She believed that queer liberation cannot be found in a capitalist system and that queer spaces should not be commodified.
The deal's cancellation leaves the future of Cheer Up Charlies uncertain. While some see this as a positive outcome, others are left wondering what the next steps will be for the bar. The community's reaction highlights the importance of preserving queer spaces that foster a sense of belonging and safety, free from the influence of corporate interests.
