Bar Raided During Drag Show ft. Amanda Lepore

[phantasmas 12,364]

P Town Bar, a beloved LGBTQ establishment in Pittsburgh, was “raided” by approximately 20 Pennsylvania State Police officers and undercover agents during a drag event hosted by local drag icon Indica and featuring legendary guest Amanda Lepore.

In true drag fashion, Indica pivoted to performance-as-resistance. With the crowd displaced and the venue swarmed with law enforcement, she took to the street for an a cappella rendition of Pink Pony Club. The crowd joined in, turning the sidewalk into a spontaneous moment of queer solidarity.

Adding a surreal twist, Indica reported that officers recognized Amanda Lepore and asked for selfies while the crowd was still forced to wait outside. Lepore, who rose to fame in New York’s club scene and lived through the era of outlaw parties and frequent police crackdowns, allegedly remarked that this was the first time she’d actually witnessed a “raid” mid-event, calling the night “iconic” in a darkly nostalgic sense.

The City of Pittsburgh did not initiate the complaint that led to the action but the City is working to determine where it originated. Mayor Gainey’s administration is looking into whether complaints and enforcement are being disproportionately directed at LGBTQ, Black, and Brown spaces.

 

Full Statment from P Town Bar:

Spoiler

“Dear LGBTQ+ Community, Allies, and Valued Patrons,

We apologize for the delay in addressing the events of this past Friday. It’s been an overwhelming few days!

During our Another Party event featuring Amanda Lepore, P Town underwent a surprise inspection by a joint task force that included officers from the LCP, State Police, Fire Department, and Health Department. Per my understanding these inspections — typically led by the LCP — are part of an efforts to ensure establishments remain in compliance with PLCB regulations. While we’re still unsure why P Town was chosen that evening, we’re choosing to view this as an opportunity for growth and improvement.

When the officers arrived, we were asked to pause the event and have guests step outside while the inspection was carried out. The officers acted professionally, to my knowledge, no patrons were mistreated.

Most importantly, we want to reaffirm our commitment to making P Town a vibrant, inclusive, and safe space for the LGBTQ+ community and everyone who joins us. This has always been—and will always be—our top priority.

Second, the inspection brought to light a few areas where we need to make improvements. We are committed to working diligently to comply with all city, county, and state regulations. Regarding our occupancy limit— many of you know we completed renovations during the COVID shutdown and had been awaiting an updated permit from the city. We thought the delay was pandemic-related, but we will make a more proactive effort. If there are any architects or professionals experienced in permitting or code compliance willing to assist, your support would be immensely appreciated.

Third, we want to thank our incredible staff and performers for their calm, professionalism, and grace under pressure. Special thanks to our talented drag performers who kept the spirit alive in spite of the disruption. For ticket holders who were unable to re-enter, please reach out to Indica for a refund or to exchange your tickets for a future event.

We are also deeply grateful for the overwhelming support from the community. Your kind messages, offers of help, and solidarity have meant so much.

Pittsburgh, we love you. Thank you for standing by us. We look forward to welcoming you back to P Town.

With heartfelt gratitude,

The P Town Team“

Source: https://qburgh.com/p-town-raided-during-event/

[phantasmas 12,364]

2 minutes ago, phantasmas said:

Adding a surreal twist, Indica reported that officers recognized Amanda Lepore and asked for selfies while the crowd was still forced to wait outside. 

 

She's the #PerfectCelebrity 💅 

[PartySick 172,418]

Sad that stuff like this still happens. Just means we still have a lot of work to do.

[Bronco 24,791]

Hope they hit the Log Cabins next. 

Sadly those self hating gays don't leave the house to be affected by what they've sown. 

[Ronk 14,930]

1 hour ago, PartySick said:

Sad that stuff like this still happens. Just means we still have a lot of work to do.

I'm usually proud to have been born and raised in Pittsburgh.  But I find this really sad because I doubt a raid would have happened if it wasn't a LGBTQ event.

[gumzy3000 7,898]

Why did it happen? 

[Bronco 24,791]

4 minutes ago, gumzy3000 said:

Why did it happen? 

The officials claim its a non-targeted series of licence checks. 

Yet appear to have predominantly targeted LGBTQ bars & bars in minority areas.

[gumzy3000 7,898]

3 minutes ago, Bronco said:

The officials claim its a non-targeted series of licence checks. 

Yet appear to have predominantly targeted LGBTQ bars & bars in minority areas.

License checks for what? Immigration? 

[PartySick 172,418]

11 minutes ago, gumzy3000 said:

License checks for what? Immigration? 

Probably alcohol, food, hosting, live music, etc

[Bronco 24,791]

21 minutes ago, gumzy3000 said:

License checks for what? Immigration? 

9 minutes ago, PartySick said:

Probably alcohol, food, hosting, live music, etc

Yeah compliance with alcohol licensing/fire regs etc. 

Having worked in hospitality in the UK, never seen 20+ pigs show up to check you aren't serving minors. 

They normally just send a badly disguised pencil pusher.

[gumzy3000 7,898]

29 minutes ago, PartySick said:

Probably alcohol, food, hosting, live music, etc

I think a police raid is extreme for all that. 

19 minutes ago, Bronco said:

Yeah compliance with alcohol licensing/fire regs etc. 

Having worked in hospitality in the UK, never seen 20+ pigs show up to check you aren't serving minors. 

They normally just send a badly disguised pencil pusher.

In my city, they would send mystery shoppers and then penalize you or lock you down at most. Being raided by 20 police officers is crazy. I wonder if there was something else 

[PartySick 172,418]

1 minute ago, gumzy3000 said:

I think a police raid is extreme for all that.

Well yeah  that's why this is of note. A gay establishment getting raided by cops 'cause of occupancy and licensing concerns?

[50 Ft Queenie 640]

1 hour ago, Bronco said:

Yeah compliance with alcohol licensing/fire regs etc. 

Having worked in hospitality in the UK, never seen 20+ pigs show up to check you aren't serving minors. 

They normally just send a badly disguised pencil pusher.

This isn't the UK if you're not over here right now seeing the horrors happening everyday here the hate crimes its incredibly arrogant to just put it down to a fire check lol. Wow

[50 Ft Queenie 640]

1 hour ago, gumzy3000 said:

I think a police raid is extreme for all that. 

In my city, they would send mystery shoppers and then penalize you or lock you down at most. Being raided by 20 police officers is crazy. I wonder if there was something else 

Yeah Exactly! , its trumps america thats what it is & nothing more.  in PA here it can be very conservative its where the trump rally happened too. If you’re not here living it daily seeing changes its hard to imagine from afar. Its obvious  why this place was targeted 

[50 Ft Queenie 640]

1 hour ago, PartySick said:

Well yeah  that's why this is of note. A gay establishment getting raided by cops 'cause of occupancy and licensing concerns?

50000% its not cause of that at all. Even here in Philly we are on watch