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my life. I wanted money—steady money.

“With my first pay check I bought half a decent
suit on time. With my second I decided to hit the
Great White Way and see what all the fun was
about. It was cocktail time and I liked the idea of a
drink. But I’d never been in a downtown bar before.
Mother let us drink a little wine at home. When I
was eighteen Dad took me to my first bar in Har-
lem, and we celebrated with a glass of beer.

“Looking into the bars through partially closed
curtains I could only see white people. That bothered
me. So I hit the side streets and passed a little bar.
I spotted one black face. At least I wouldn’t be alone
and sailed on in.

“There 1 was in a place about the size of my bed
room packed to the walls with men. Besides the
Negro I'd noted, there were one or two others.

“When I walked in everybody turned and looked.
Then, went back to their drinks. I found out later
that this is S.O.P. in gay bars, but at that time I felt
self-conscious as all hell. But the feeling didn’t last
long. They made room for me to get to the bar. The
bartender looked me over and said, ‘You been here
before?’ Before I could say ’no’ he stretched out his
hand, shook mine and said, ‘Welcome, my name’s
George.’