I want young, black LGBT people to say, “It is possible to succeed when you are a LGBT Black business because Alibi succeeds.” Photograph: Courtesy Alibi LoungeĪ GoFundMe to save Alibi from permanently closing during COVID-19 has raised over $110k. Using the movement to also highlight the other issues. That's a sign of progress in our own community. Well, this time around, we made sure to include Black trans lives, Black LGBT lives, and Black business lives. With the Black Lives Matter movement growing every day, how do you think it will impact the future of Black-owned businesses? You can be an entrepreneur, you can be gay and you can be black. I wish there were more Black, LGBT-owned establishments… I wish that people of color that it's possible to open a business, to be an entrepreneur, and to ally your sexual orientation and your color. But I think it's sad that I'm the only one who is in the position of doing the work.

I think it’s a tragedy… I'm proud that I was able to keep the doors open every single night for the past four years, despite the challenges and hardships. Photograph: Courtesy Tahseen does it mean to you that you are the only Black-owned LGBTQ+ bar in NYC? From the moment the word started to spread, it was just an outpour of support and anticipation. People were so enthusiastic about the idea. A gay neighborhood… I just decided, that’s it. When I started exploring the neighborhood, I realized that there were It was my dream to have what Hell's Kitchen has or what Chelsea has. How did Alibi Lounge come to be in Harlem? RECOMMENDED: Pride Worldwide 2020: A global celebration of LGBTQ+ culture We sat down with Minko for a conversation building up to #PrideWorldwide. Owned and operated by Alexi Minko, a queer, Black immigrant from Gabon, Alibi has withstood the adversities of hate crimes and COVID-19’s economic impact and stands today as a tried and true testament to the love Minko has for those who find a home at his bar. Nestled in the heart of Harlem on 139th St & Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd, the only Black-owned LGBTQ+ establishment in New York, has won the heart of the Harlem community and become a shelter for queer and BIPOC patrons. Gianfranco Lentini is a New York-based LGBTQ+ journalist whose work has been published with Grindr, Backstage, and Broadway Roulette, and for all the Potterheads out there, you can find him (on and off-camera) reporting on all the latest Wizarding World news for The Leaky Cauldron.

Alibi casino bar rescue update