Katt Hernandez 81 Moreland Street Somerville, MA 02145

Licensing Board

Daniel F. Pokaski

Chairman

Room 809

One City Hall Plaza

Boston, MA 02201

Dear Mr. Pokaski-

I am writing in defense of Jauques Cabaret in Boston. I was saddened to hear that the neighbors are so full of such bigotry towards those who have a different way of life than them, and used the occasion to levy all kinds of disparaging accusations against the people involved with the Cabaret. First, for the record, I have always been carded when entering there- never once have I not been. Second, the only drug I saw for sale was alcohol- still legal in Massachusetts, I believe. As to the allegations of prostitution, there is prostitution in several other neighborhoods as well. There was a prostitution ring right here in Winter Hill, but I didn’t see the authorities coming in to close down the old Mount Vernon restaurant, which is the closest bar in the vicinity. The Hollywood bar in Chinatown is still open, despite a history of prostitution and drag dealing in that neighborhood, and no one is blaming the Oni Gallery for these ills, either. If there is a problem with prostitution and drug dealing in the neighborhood, than that is a matter for the police to deal with- the barkeeper, performers, and customers at Jaques are certainly in no position to, and its not their job. That’s what police are for. Its also not Jaques’ fault, and not their problem. So they shouldn’t be punished for it by having their club shut down.

Jaques is a place unique to anywplace. Unique places are becoming more and more rare. I help run the Zeitgeist Gallery in Cambridge, and hear daily about the steady plod of homogenization, and how we and the few places like us are all that is staving it off. I would venture to say Jaques is staving it off more than anyone. Not only is it a venue for Drag performers, who really have no other place to perform in this area, but it has also been a mecca of alternative music and culture in other ways. Most of the people involved in any kind of alternative art scene in Boston have performed at Jaques, myself included. Everyone from the indie rock people, to the performance artists, to the free improvisers in town have played there at one time or another. These are the same people that you then see putting up shows in the Cyclorama, Mobius, Oni Gallery, Zeitgeist, and other arts venues around town. This is because — unlike its neighbors- Jaques is open to all kinds of people, from every concievable walk of life. Its one of the last remaining places in Boston where you can go if you want a break from the thumping constancy of mainstream music, or to interact with people outside of mainstream culture. I very much enjoy going there to see the performances, and many of my friends and colleagues do as well.

It is sad to see hatred- which is what Jaques neighbors are taking the opportunity to display- given such a wide audience. Its sad to see hatred allowed to flower and possibly even do damage. Its especially sad when the city plays up to it. Clearly Jaques neighbors have a problem with drag queens. Their bigotry is plain and clear. Doesn’t every group of people that have experienced hatred and bigotry in the Untied States get blamed for looseness, perversion, prostitution, and substance abuse? Its particularly sad to note that many of the people waging complaints are members of the gay community, who only too recently would have been subjected to the same treatment in most neighborhood, and even now in many American cities are still accused of committing the self same offenses. So it is particularly sad to see these folks trying to slip their bigotry and fear into the guise of "cleaning up the neighborhood".

By allowing these hateful folks to have your ear and affect your decisions, you are allowing yourself to become an agent for their hate. I certainly hope you will consider the voice of the arts community, who want Jaques to continue to exist, and take a stand for life, uniqueness, and bravery, instead of caving in the demands of hate.

Katt Hernandez

Zeitgeist Gallery