u/PopPhilosopher82

I’m new to NYC so I’ve been exploring some of the gay bars around Brooklyn. Some people I’ve met recommended to check out Good Judy, so after a stressful day at work I went.

Walked in and I’m pretty sure I was the only Black person in there, which was the first red flag.

I then sat at the bar for a good 20+ minutes, watching the bartender serve every white person around me and skipping over me.

While I was waiting, a white woman sat in the chair next to me. I think she picked up on the fact that I had been waiting for a while and was getting irritated.

The bartender tried coming over to take her order (even though she literally sat down AFTER ME and didn’t even have to flag him).

But instead of giving the bartender her order, she had to tell him “can you take his order first? I think he’s been waiting awhile” (thank u queen)

The bartender tried playing it off and gave me a drink “on him” but at that point it felt so gross and disingenuous.

He immediately started pouring shots for some white men next to me that I’m guessing were his friends and screaming all belligerently as they were cheers-ing and acting all white girl wasted vibes right in my ear.

The wholeeee thing rubbed me the wrong way sooooo bad.

I don’t think I’ve ever been ignored *that* blatantly. It was a weeknight, so it’s not even like it was that busy.

The next day I thought “okay, maybe I’m tripping”, but then I went on their Yelp page and a bunch other men of color wrote reviews with veryyy similar experiences; being blatantly ignored in favor of white patrons. Not sure if it’s with the same bartender or what.

But wtf? Any other POC men experience this there?

Is it THAT hard to make queer spaces feel inclusive?

Pretty rotten first impression of NYC, of all places.

I recently to arrived in NYC, specifically in the Gowanus area near the canal.

Didn’t know this before getting here, but found out later that the Gowanus Canal has a history of being one of the most toxic waterways in the country.

Apparently there’s been a massive cleanup effort by the EPA over the past 10 years or so, which is why there’s so much new development in the area.

But every now and then I read comments on Reddit or get a flyer in the mail that the area isn’t as clean as officials are claiming it to be?

The problem is I really love my apartment and the thought of finding a new one sounds so exhausting. But I also don’t want to be inhaling toxic fumes every time I open my window or step outside.

I have no idea what to believe.

Is it safe to live in this area? Would love responses that are a little more objective and not hearsay.

New to the neighborhood and looking for good spots to try.