Sign of Protest (c.1970)

Hi, this is Pat Rocco, and we're here for Bizarre Productions News Service in front of one of the oldest establishments here in Hollywood. It's a restaurant, and it's called Barney's Beanery. Now there is a particular protest going on this evening that I think we'll find quite interesting. From what I understand Barney's Beanery has had a sign inside its bar that says, "Faggots stay out". And there are a lot of people around here this evening who are protesting the use of that sign. We want to be able to get both sides of the story, so first thing we're going to do is go inside Barney's Beanery and talk to some of the owners and some of the people in charge and see what they've got to say. Then in a little while, we'll talk to some of the people who are in the march itself and see what they've got to say. So let's take our cameras right inside and see what we've got here. [restaurant noise] [Rocco:] Good evening. How are you all? I understand that we have here most of the people who are connected with Barney's Beanery. And, let's see. You are the manager, are you not? And your name? [Woman:] Ruth Pappas. [Rocco:] Ruth, nice to meet you. And this is Barney's daughter. And you are...? [Woman:] Joan Elowitz. [Rocco:] Joan. And sir, you are...? [Man:] Irwin Held. [Rocco:] Irwin, very nice to meet you. You all know what's going on this evening. And I'd like to get your comments on it, if you will, so that we can present both sides of the story of what's happening. First of all, who can tell us a little bit about Barney's Beanery itself, some of the history of Barney's? Here, I think... this is Barney's daughter. Maybe you can. [Elowitz:] Some of the history. Like what? [Rocco:] Well, how long has Barney's been in existence? [Elowitz:] Oh brother. It's either 1920 or 1927. I can't remember anymore. [Rocco:] How long have you been here, working in Barney's? Or connected with Barney's, or... [Elowitz:] As long as I've been living. [Rocco, laughing:] Oh, I see. I won't ask you how long that is. [Held, off screen:] 21! [Rocco:] Tell us, in all these, in all these years now, on the - the main idea, of course, that is happening tonight is the sign that's in protest. When did the sign go up? [Elowitz:] 1959. [Rocco:] And what was the purpose of putting the sign up? [Elowitz:] To discourage the faggots from coming in. [Rocco:] I see. Did you have problems at that time? Is that the why the sign went up? [Elowitz:] There were, there were problems prior to that. There was - the vice squad had a raid in here. And it took us two years to clear the name. The name wasn't - if Barney's Beanery's name wasn't clear, then the, the liquor license would have been suspended. But the name was cleared and everything was straightened out and as a result, Dad put the signs up. There was a total, I think, of eight or ten signs throughout the whole place, but they just stayed in the bar. [Rocco:] And now you're down to one sign. [Elowitz:] Is it one? I, I don't know [Held, off screen:] We should have a sign […] the back door. [Elowitz laughs] [Rocco:] Okay. Well, now what do you feel about what's happening this evening? Evidently, there are a lot of people who are protesting the use of that sign. What are your personal feelings about that? [Elowitz:] Well, that's their privilege. If they don't like it, they don't have to like it. But I'm not going to pull it down for that reason. [Rocco:] What reason would you find that would be important enough for you to take the sign down? [Elowitz:] A legal reason. [Rocco:] A legal reason. That would be your only reason? Okay, good enough. Let's get some more comments. What do you think about what's happening this evening? [Pappas:] I'm really getting a kick out of it. [Rocco:] You're getting a kick out of it? Alright, well that's one good thing. [Pappas laughs] [Rocco:] And what have you got to say about the little juxtapocation [sic] going on it's first as far as people protesting and you being here and you're being the manager, have you had person - people who have come to you personally and objected? Or letters or telephone calls? [Pappas:] No. Telephone calls. But that's about it. I've had a few telephone calls. Do you think that the protesting and the telephone calls are reason enough to possibly do something about the use of this sign? What are your personal feelings? [Pappas:] No, I don't think we should do anything about it. After all, it's on our own premises. And I don't see any reason to remove it. [Rocco:] Okay. [Pappas:] It's part of the place. [Rocco:] Okay, I see. Very good. All right, let's talk to the gentleman right over here. [Rocco:] Sir, what is your actual connection with Barney's Beanery? [Held:] Oh, we would be the new owners here, as soon as the escrow is complete. […] taking over the establishment. And we hope to continue everything just the same as it has been in the past. [Rocco:] And your personal feelings about what's going on this evening? I'd like to very much get your views. [Held:] Well, we didn't anticipate any problem along these lines particularly at this time, but as we've told everybody that, anybody that comes in here, is welcome to be served, might be it food or drink. And as long as they behave themselves and not interfere with anybody else, that's their privilege, and the sign will continue and anybody that may not like it or enjoy it, or be ill at ease as a result of it, it's a two-way swinging door. Just the same as they can walk in, they can walk out. No hard feelings on anybody's part. [Rocco:] Do you find that being in Hollywood, which is the movie capital of the world, and where there are many artistic people. Do you find that possibly - getting right down to the point - Do you find that many of your customers are homosexuals or gay people who are in the industry and who are also your customers? [Held:] They may be. That's their business. We haven't asked them or taken a census. As long as they come in here and whatever they wish, we'll serve them, as long as whatever they do, they do it elsewhere. [Rocco:] Do you find that possibly or have you had an indication from telephone calls or letters or anything, that there are people who have been customers who are, who object to the use of the sign? [Held:] Oh, I'm certain there may be a few. By the same token, there are others who have been customers, who are more loyal than what they were, prior to this occasion happening. [Rocco:] Very good. Do you mind if we take a look at that sign and bring our cameras right over to it? [Held:] Certainly. [Rocco:] Okay, let's do that. Do you think we can follow along here? We've got a way to go. So follow along here with me. We're going through Barney's Beanery, one of the most unique spots in town. This is the restaurant portion, and now we're going through. We can get our light. Here we come. We're going through into the bar and we'll take a look at the bar itself, some of the people who are standing along here. And we'll get a look at the sign that is particularly in question. It's right up behind the bar over in there, if we can get our cameras onto it. There it is. It's been there for a number of years now. There have been several all around town - all around the restaurant, as the person indicated earlier, but evidently this is the last one to stay. Okay. Now let's go outside and get some opinions about some of the bil - from some of the people who are prot - protesting that sign. Whoops, somebody's tapping my shoulder. Here's a gentleman right over here. Let's see what he's got to say Yes, sir. Your name? [Man:] Fred Flanchard. [Rocco:] Fred, what have you got to say? [Flanchard:] Here's my only protest. [Rocco:] Here's your protest, okay. What have you got to say about the sign that the people are protesting tonight? The sign that says, "Fagots stay out." [Flanchard:] They're out on the street. I'm in here. You know, what the hell? [Rocco:] Okay. [Flanchard:] That's my wife. [Rocco:] All right. Well what about the sign itself? Do you feel is if... Would you like a sign that would say perhaps, "Nigger stay out"? Or... "Mexicans stay out" or "People who have children" stay out? [Flanchard:] No. I just like my wife. [Rocco:] Okay. [Flanchard:] Well, that's the premise. I like my wife. [Wife:] It's always been Barney's Beanery's... law. He wants... I don't know... male and female to have [fri...] [Rocco:] You feel that's a fair thing? They have a right to do that? [Man and woman:] Yeah. That's alright. [Rocco:] Okay. That's good. We want your opinion. Now. Let's go outside and see what the people outside have got to say. [Rocco:] Well, you'd never believe that such a furor could be caused over one little sign. But it certainly is. And there's a lot of people right out here walking in front of Barney's Beanery who are protesting that sign. If I can call a couple of people out of line, we'll see what they've got to say with. Here's a young lady. May I call you for just a moment? Now we're talking about the sign, that is, that you're protesting. What is your sign say? "Love, love, love." [Woman:] Right. [Rocco:] And the other side? There is no other side. [Woman:] No, it's just one... [Rocco:] Alright, what have you got to say concerning the sign that's posted inside that says "Faggots stay out"? [Woman:] Okay, well the way I feel, is that if they're going to post a sign saying "Faggots keep out", that's like posting a sign saying, "No niggers allowed". And in the South when they had their first protest marches for civil rights, they first started protesting about the signs in cafeterias and other public establishments, saying, "No niggers allowed." And I feel this is a good starting point for us. [Woman:] And also I was talking to Troy Perry the other day. [Rocco:] Now Troy Perry is the pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church in Los Angeles. [Woman:] Right. [Rocco:] Which is a church that openly welcomes homosexuals into its congregation. [Woman:] That's true. [Rocco:] That's just to clarify. [Woman:] Right. Okay. [Rocco:] Okay, go right ahead. [Woman:] Okay, well, I told him that I didn't feel that a restaurant [Protester chanting] legally could refuse to service somebody because of race, color, creed or religion. And in a sense, there may be some sort of political possible fight that we could use, saying that they are discriminating us, against us, because of our creed. [Rocco:] I see. [Woman:] Because homosexuality in some people in itself, [m...], and therefore could be considered to be a creed. So this could perhaps come under the First Amendment. [Rocco:] I see. Okay, very good. Thank you for talking to me. By the way. I didn't get your name. [Woman:] Melinda Nate here. [Rocco:] Melinda. Thank you very much. Okay, excuse me. Let's see now. There seems to be at least 40 to 50 people here. And there seems to be quite a few other signs available for people to pick up and I see people coming along the street who are coming to join this group. Let's see if we can find a gentleman in the line to talk to, to see what he's got to say about what's going on here this evening. Here's a gentleman carrying a tape recorder. Excuse me, are you from a particular publication or...? [Man:] I hope to be... from KPFK, but I am from Tangents Magazine. [Rocco:] From KPFK and Tangents. Could you talk to us for just a moment? [Man:] Surely, I'd be happy to. [Rocco:] Fine, well why don't you face this way, since that's where our cameras are. [Man:] Oh, cameras, sure. [Rocco:] What's your name? [Man:] I'm Joseph Hansen sometimes known as James Colton. [Rocco:] Okay, Joseph Hansen, James Colton. [Rocco:] Would you like to tell us what your reasons are for here - for being this evening? And well, we know the reasons but your personal reasons for objecting to the sign that they have inside. [Colton:] Well, I object to it on the same grounds that a Negro would object to saying, "Niggers keep out", you know. This is, this is discrimination on a very basic level. And I don't see why any decent human being that walks on the sidewalk here isn't entitled to come in to Barney's and have a drink or eat. [Rocco:] Okay. Very good. Thank you very much Mr. Colton. [Colton:] Nice talking to you. [Rocco:] All the signs and the protesters are going on here and the line has grown considerably. I see a gentleman here, who is connected... Excuse me, sir, can I call you over for just a minute? [Protesters chant] Can you give me your name? [Man:] I'm Morris Kight. [Rocco:] And here. Our cameras are over here, so we get a good look at you. [Kight:] Hi! [Rocco:] You... tell us a little bit about what your participation is this evening. [Kight:] Well, I founded the Gay Liberation Front in Los Angeles because I thought that it was time for one. And my position here tonight is just to be along to march with my associates to complain about this particular injustice, and that's why I'm here. [Rocco:] Okay. How many people do you have here with you this evening? [Kight:] I think about 50. We march until 10 o'clock. [Rocco:] That's about two hours from now. [Kight:] Yes, it'll grow up, 100, 150, who knows? Whatever it is. It's a determined group and that's important. It's the spirit, the determination. [Rocco:] Okay. [Kight:] We're just delighted with the way it's going. You know, the issue here is that this restaurant here, Barney's Beanery has been here a long time. [Rocco:] 50 years. [Kight:] And they have a sign saying, "Fagot stay out." Now, it doesn't offend me awfully, but it offends everybody else. I think it's sort of funny in a way and I don't need to come here, but a great many people would like to. And they think that this sign comes out of an antique American idea which should have gone out of style along with, "Niggers stay out", "No Mexicans or dogs allowed," and these kinds of things happen - have to go. Now what we really would like, Mr. Rocco, is to have the sign retained, but changed. [Rocco:] How would you change it? [Kight:] X out the "stay out" and say "Fagots welcome." That we would consider a victory. [Rocco:] Okay. [Kight:] Thank you. [Rocco:] Thank you for your opinion. Let's take a look at some of the signs. [Protesters chant:] Hey, hey, hey, hey. We are proud, we are gay. Hey, hey, hey, hey. We are proud and we are gay. Hey, hey, hey, hey. We are proud and we are gay. Hey, hey, hey, hey. We are proud and we are gay. Hey, hey, hey, hey. We are proud and we are gay. Hey, hey, hey, hey. We are proud, we are gay. Hey, hey, hey, hey. We are proud, we are gay. Hey, hey, hey, hey. We are proud and we are gay. Hey, hey, hey, hey. We are proud and we are gay. Hey, hey, hey, hey. We are proud and we are gay. Hey, hey, hey, hey. We are proud and we are gay. Hey, hey, hey, hey. We are proud and we are gay. Two, four, six, eight. Gay is just as good as straight. Two, four, six, eight. Gay is just as good as straight. Two, four, six, eight. Gay is just as good as straight. Two, four, six, eight. Gay is just as good as straight. We want freedom. We want freedom. Gimme a Y! (Y!) Gimme an E! (E!) O! (O!) W! (W) E! (E!) [unintelligible chanting] Two, four, six, eight. Gay is good and gay is great! Two, four, six, eight. Gay is good and gay is great! Two, four, six, eight. Gay is good and gay is great! Two, four, six, eight. Gay is good and gay is great! Two, four, six, eight. Gay is good and gay is great! [unintelligible chanting] Bring that sign down! Bring that sign down! Bring that sign down! Bring that sign down! Bring that sign down. [Rocco:] Barney's Beanery is definitely the center of attention this evening. Right across the street as 50, 60, 70 people are marching in front of Barney's Beanery to protest that sign. Right here across the street, the watchful eye of the police department is keeping careful watch to make sure that no incidents occur. And if we can get in just a little bit closer, we might even talk to one of the officers and see what he's got to say about what's going on this evening. [Rocco:] Good evening officer. Could I talk to you for just a moment? [Officer:] Yes, sir. [Rocco:] Evidently, you're here watching to make sure that there are no incidents this evening. [Officer:] Right, correct. [Rocco:] Are you familiar with what the problems are this evening? [Officer:] Well, I, my understanding is that Barney's Beanery has a sign over the bar that says, "Fagots stay out." Mr. Kight and his Gay Liberation Front is protesting that sign, you know, its discrimination towards homosexuals. That's it. [Rocco:] Have there been any incidents so far this evening? [Officer:] None at all. We don't expect any. [Rocco:] You don't expect any? [Officer:] ...respectable people concerned and they're going to cooperate with us fully. We're going to cooperate with them. [Rocco:] Very good. How many officers are there here this evening to watch over? [Officer:] Just me. [Rocco:] Just you! All by yourself? There's another car over there, but they're, I mean, they're gonna leave after a while. [Officer:]These are just the area... [Rocco:] This looks like a lady officer. I don't think we've had a lady officer on camera before. [Woman off screen:] I think you're gorgeous! [Rocco:] She's a lovely lady. Could you come up for just a moment? What's your name, young lady? [Woman:] Deputy Swing. [Rocco:] Deputy, how long have you been with the police department? [Swing:] Just about a year. [Rocco:] A year. What is your function with the police department? [Swing:] Oh, I work just about as well as the men do. About the same things. [Rocco:] I see. You're familiar with the problems that they're having this evening with the sign and the protesters? [Swing:] Yeah. [Rocco:] Do you have a personal opinion? [Swing:] No. [Rocco:] No personal opinion. Is that kind of a... a thing with the police department, that it's best not to give personal opinion? [Officer:] That's the way. Be impersonal. [Rocco:] I see. Very good. Okay. We'll go back over to the group. [street noise and loud protesting] [Protesters chanting:] We're gay and we're proud. We're gay and we're proud. [Rocco:] Following the group, we found an awful lot of people who are standing and watching what's going on here. And also, I found in the line here, Reverend Troy Perry, who's the pastor that we talked about earlier. Reverend Perry, could I stop you for just a moment? Uh, to talk about what's going on this evening. [Perry:] Yes. [Rocco:] I see you're carrying a magazine. And, [Perry:] Yes, there's the picture right there. [Rocco:] There is it. [Perry:] This is the... [Rocco:] This is LIFE magazine? [Perry:] Yes, that's correct. Let me see the date on it. It's 1964. June the 26th, 1964. It's an article about a restaurant in Los Angeles, with the sign that says, "Fagots keep out." The gentleman who put this sign up in this restaurant said, he "thinks homosexuals should be shot." These are his own words in LIFE magazine. We're told of course the sign today is a joke. We don't consider it a joke, any more than "White only" signs or, you know, "Mexicans and dogs keep out," this sort of […] [Rocco:] I see. [Perry:] Homosexuals are people too. [Rocco:] I see. Okay, and this came out in 1964. [Perry:] Right. [Rocco:] And evidently the sign is still up. And, have you talked to any of the owners, and gotten their...? [Protester shout:] Gay power. [Perry:] I haven't personally. Other members of the Gay Liberation Front has. Mr. Morris Kight, I believe, talked to the owner, manager of the place and they said the sign wasn't coming down. We think it's going to - we think it's a good vocal point for the community. [Rocco:] Okay. Very good. Thank you very much. You're off to the line again. Let's see. We have an awful lot of people who are standing by here and just looking to see what's going on. And maybe we can get a couple of comments from people who are just standing by. Let's see. Gentlemen? Anyone? Hello. Hello. Hello? Would someone like to give a comment on what they see is going on this evening? Hi, could you - what's your name? [Man:] Chuck Givens. [Rocco:] Chuck, you can see an awful lot of people protesting something. What do you think about, what's going on? [Givens:] Well, I'm from Canada, and there's really not too much of this going on back there. But I know if I was home about two years ago, and maybe it's gonna start up there. I don't know you. [Both speak simultaneously] [Rocco:] Do you have a comment about the sign? You know about the sign? [Givens:] The sign? [Rocco:] You know about the reason for the protest? [Givens:] Yes, they won't be allowed in there. I mean, they probably can go in but, [Rocco:] Well, what do you feel about that? [Givens:] Well, its a free country. They should be able to do what they want. [Rocco:] Okay. Thank you very much. Hi, how are you? [Man:] Fine, thanks. [Rocco:] What have you got to say? Oh, you know me? [Man:] Oh yes, from Metro CC. [Rocco:] Do I know you? Oh, from Metropolitan Community Church, right. What have you got to say? [Man:] I, I don't say much about that, I think it's disgraceful with a sign being up there such as it is. I figure it's discriminating against us, and it's knocking down all of what we've worked for. And I figure we're not going to be satisfied until the sign is removed. [Rocco:] Okay, thank you. Here's a young lady, I wonder if we could talk to you for a moment. How are you? What have you got to say about what you see this evening going on right over here in front of Barney's Beanery in Hollywood? [Woman:] I think it's out of sight. It's about time. [Rocco:] In other words, you think the sign should be protested, the way it's happening? [Woman:] I think that damn sign should be taken down. [Rocco:] Very good. Thank you very much. Okay, this is Pat Rocco for Bizarre Productions Newsfilm here in front of Barney's Beanery. We hope you've enjoyed what you've seen. And we hope it's enlightening. And we'll see what happens as far as whether that sign is going to go up or come down or just what's going to go on. Thanks for being with us. Good night. [dramatic music]