"Austin is considering the demolition of three historic gay bars located on 4th St. to build a residential/commercial tower, raising concern over the future of the Austin LGBTQ+ community. The area around 4th St. has a long history of being a safe, supportive space for marginalized communities, referred to as Austin’s “gayborhood.” Tatum Owens, a member of Texas Rising, a nonpartisan organization that advocates for equality, social justice and the rights of POC and marginalized communities, said she was discouraged to hear about the possible closures.

“The City of Austin can once again cry, ‘Keep Austin Weird’ and claim it praises diversity when the real authentic representations of that are being destroyed and, and or displaced,” Owens said. “It’s so disheartening to see that developers don't care about that, and that the City of Austin won't protect that community against these developers.”