Gay Bar Near Mosque Near Ground Zero

Greg Gutfeld claims to be working to build a gay bar next door to the controversial Cordoba House Muslim cultural center a few blocks from Ground Zero.

Greg Gutfeld claims to be working to build a gay bar next door to the controversial Cordoba House Muslim cultural center a few blocks from Ground Zero.

So, the Muslim investors championing the construction of the new mosque near Ground Zero claim it’s all about strengthening the relationship between the Muslim and non-Muslim world.

As an American, I believe they have every right to build the mosque – after all, if they buy the land and they follow the law – who can stop them?

Which is, why, in the spirit of outreach, I’ve decided to do the same thing.

I’m announcing tonight, that I am planning to build and open the first gay bar that caters not only to the west, but also Islamic gay men. To best express my sincere desire for dialogue, the bar will be situated next to the mosque Park51, in an available commercial space.

This is not a joke. I’ve already spoken to a number of investors, who have pledged their support in this bipartisan bid for understanding and tolerance.

As you know, the Muslim faith doesn’t look kindly upon homosexuality, which is why I’m building this bar. It is an effort to break down barriers and reduce deadly homophobia in the Islamic world.

The goal, however, is not simply to open a typical gay bar, but one friendly to men of Islamic faith. An entire floor, for example, will feature non-alcoholic drinks, since booze is forbidden by the faith. The bar will be open all day and night, to accommodate men who would rather keep their sexuality under wraps – but still want to dance.

AllahPundit likes it:

Not an idea that would play well with Christians or Jews vis-a-vis property adjacent to a church or temple, but oh well: If we’re going to celebrate tolerance regardless of the sensitivities of the surrounding area, let’s celebrate! And the best part? Because, as we’ve been assured many times, the “Park51″ cultural center will be a model of moderation, gay Muslim men don’t have to worry about being seen entering Gut’s establishment. Flaunt it all you want, fellas; you’re in Moderate Town, U.S.A., on that block. I look forward to the congratulatory Mike Bloomberg press conference.

It’s actually an inspired idea, whether intended humorously or spitefully.  Both the bar and the cultural center are in downtown Manhattan, where gays and nightclub patrons are in abundance.   And whether snarky or not, Gutfeld’s right: having to put up with the right of others to do things you find offensive is the price you pay for living in a free society.

The conservative blogosphere and Twittersphere, meanwhile, is having fun coming up with names.    Melissa Clouthier nominates “Ground Queero.”  She rounds up some others:

Al Gayda — Chuck_Dizzle

The Velvet Sword, Jihard and/or Dome of the Cock — AceofSpades

United 69 — Iowahawkblog

Ba’ath House — DuchessRebecca

As for me, this presents another opportunity to trot out one of the great couplets of all time from the late, great Jerry Reed’s “Redneck in a Rock and Roll Bar.”

Now, there ain’t no sexy dresses
And there ain’t no beehive hair
Just boys who look like girls
Who look like boys, who look like Cher

You just don’t see wordsmithing like that these days.

FILED UNDER: *FEATURED, Religion, , , , , ,
James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is Professor and Department Head of Security Studies at Marine Corps University's Command and Staff College. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.

Comments

  1. just me says:

    I kind of think this is the best idea yet.
     
    While I can see why some people don’t want a Mosque or Islamic cultural center near ground zero, the reality is if the land is purchased and the use meets city codes, then you just suck it up deal with it.
     
    But we have often heard the argument that the best way to defeat offensive speech is with more speech, I figure the best way to promote tolerance is to required it from all.
     
     

  2. Maggie Mama says:

    It’s hard for the families to “suck up and just deal with it” when finding a parking space is really going to be an issue on 9/11/11,  Also they are going to have to work their prayerful visits and ceremonies around the five-time a day “Call to Worships” blasting through the air.

    Personally I think it would be nice if the bar gave out pins and/or T-shirts with the likeness of Mohammed on them.  Gee, maybe even pics on their front door.

    Perhaps  some brazen sidewalk entrepreneur will be selling pins, shirts, etal, to outraged New Yorkers and visitors to the area. 

    Yeah, we need a major “free speech” war to combat this insensitive crap.

  3. Franklin says:

    Fabulous idea!!!  And more importantly, I think Gutfeld is striking the perfect tone in his announcement.

  4. Mithras says:

    Wow, what a dumb idea. Even if it gets off the ground, who would it offend? Are conservatives so self-absorbed that they think American Muslims really would object to a gay bar?
    But if it does get off the ground, I am sure there will be a secret entrance for conservative Republican politicians.

  5. rodney dill says:

    I think a prophet Mohammad characature art gallery would be more fitting, but the business model would be problematic.

  6. Herb says:

    If true, I feel bad for his investors…..

    If a joke, haha.

  7. If nothing else, it’s a great window into the modern Republican mindset, given the plan’s subtext that having gays in your neighborhood constitutes a punishment.

  8. Franklin says:

    Personally I think it would be nice if the bar gave out pins and/or T-shirts with the likeness of Mohammed on them.
    – and –
    I think a prophet Mohammad characature art gallery would be more fitting

    Neither of you are getting the brilliance of this.  Your suggestions are to intentionally offend, as opposed to promoting tolerance.
    Even if it gets off the ground, who would it offend? Are conservatives so self-absorbed that they think American Muslims really would object to a gay bar?

    Why would this be a ‘conservative’ idea?  It’s a gay bar.  I know nothing of Mr. Gutfeld’s politics at this point.  Actual ‘conservative’ ideas would be like the dumb ones specifically trying to offend with no other purpose (the Mohammed ideas).

  9. Jeff says:

    How about a pork barbecue restaurant next door?  This is a great idea!

  10. Alex says:

    One correction on your Manhattan geography: That area of the city is actually totally dead at night, and isn’t at all a gay neighborhood. For his sake, I hope his “investors” have a ton of money to flush down the toilet. I can’t imagine anyone actually following through with this idea, frankly.

  11. Saul says:

    Yeah, the thing that seems off-key about this idea is that American conservatives are the ones most invested in hating gays. My guess (based on pure speculation) is that the Cordoba House wouldn’t care about this at all. There are lots of different types of establishments packed into close proximity all over Manhattan — it’s not really a big deal. But given that conservatives are the ones most twisted about about the “Ground Zero Mosque” and conservatives are also the most twisted up about the gays, this sort of has the weird feel of a bear baiting exercise. Whatever its conceptual merits, it’s still just an exercise in spite.
    But, you know, whatever. Go ahead and build it. Conservatives can snicker over fag jokes on Twitter for a few days, Muslims and gays will go about their own business, and we’ll all forget this embarrassing episode ever happened in a few years.

  12. jim says:

    “My folks went to the 9/11 mosque and all I got was this lousy t-shirt”

  13. Zelsdorf Ragshaft III says:

    Funny how the left always accuses those with whom they disagree with hating.  I have found more tolerance among conservatives than from liberals.  American conservate priciples insist on tolerance of those who think differently as that is freedom of thought.  However liberals and the left historically do not tolerate divergence from their beliefs.  Millions have died world wide due to the beliefs of the left. 

    Mithras, that back door is for you, dude.  Only in your mind are GOP or conservatives gay.  I agree with James Gutfield has put forth a great idea but a dangerous one.  There is not much evidence of Islamic tolerance.  Islam, by its very nature is not a tolerant religion.  I think Greg is putting his own life in danger as there are many Muslims who will take this as an insult to Islam.  It is kind of like the left.  They ask to be tolerated but do not tolerate.

  14. eric f says:

    This is not the first gay bar aimed at Muslims.  There was one in Amsterdam as recently as 2003 and Istanbul has a lot of drag bars off of Istiklal.  As usual, Fox News ignores facts to promote an agenda based in antagonism and hatred.

  15. sam says:

    “One correction on your Manhattan geography: That area of the city is actually totally dead at night”

    Eh?

    You’ve probably heard about “The Ground Zero Mosque,” an Islamic community center planned in Lower Manhattan. But I bet you haven’t heard of The Ground Zero Strip Club.

    There are actually a couple of adult entertainment venues that show up on Google ( GOOG – news – people ) Maps if you search around the former site of the World Trade Center. Internet reviewers seem to like New York Dolls best, due to its sexy, disproportionately Russian staff, mirrored stage and purportedly high-quality lap dances. (http://www.forbes.com/2010/07/22/ground-zero-mosque-religion-terrorism-opinions-columnists-conor-friedersdorf.html)

    It’ll be in good company, evidently.

  16. Christopher W. says:

    How about TallyBuns?

  17. Christopher W. says:

    Sunni Side Down?

  18. Herb says:

    “I have found more tolerance among conservatives than from liberals. ”

    That statement is only true because you’re so far on the fringe, Zels.

    “I agree with James Gutfield has put forth a great idea but a dangerous one. ”

    A great idea for a comedy act. A horrible idea for a business.

    I’m assuming gay people go to gay bars for reasons other than making a point about the Ground Zero Mosque.

  19. Nylund says:

    I like this idea.  I’ve also noticed that much of this rationale actually holds true for the evangelical community I live in.  Its definitely not a lifestyle the churches here support.  Many though, also refrain from drinking and other such things, so the no alcohol thing would probably also be a good idea.
    Do you think you could help me expand this idea in my neighborhood by opening up gay bars next to the evangelical churches here in Texas?
    I really do think there are a lot of repressed homosexuals within the evangelical community around here that could benefit a great deal from the support an openly gay establishment nearby would create.

  20. reid says:

    If meant seriously, this just seems childish and petulant.  He’s free to do whatever he wants, of course….

  21. BTW, does the logic of this gay bar test apply to everyone or just muslims?

    I mean let’s see… suppose we build a gay bar next to Temple Square in Salt Lake City.  Oh right, they’ve banned bars throughout the entire city.  Okay, so we can legally ban mormonism now…

    How about we build one in Texas?  Oh, that won’t be allowed once the Texas GOP implements the plank on their 2010 Platform to make homosexuality a misdemeanor… so we can legally ban Republicanism too….

  22. ds says:

    I would seriously give $ to be a part of this.  Please give the bar a somewhat offensive name!

  23. Aaron says:

    ” Both the bar and the cultural center are in downtown Manhattan, where gays and nightclub patrons are in abundance. ”

    In THAT part of Manhattan? AHAHAHAHAHAHA no.  It’s deader than dead after dark, and any would-be investors would have to be brain-damaged to seriously consider it.  Burning a pile of money would be more efficient.

  24. SideShow Bob says:

    Knock yourselves out. I’ve been by WTC site a couple times. It didn’t seem like a place where a gay bar business would thrive. I could be wrong.

  25. Rich says:

    The Allahu Cock Bar

  26. I think it’s wrong to intentionally provoke the Muslims with gay behavior. I’m a Christian and if forced to choose whether to get along with a Muslim or gay person I choose the Muslim because at least they call gay behavior for what it is. A sinful sinful sexual perversion that is wrong.

  27. giantslor says:

    There’s already a gay bar down the street:
    http://nomoremister.blogspot.com/2010/08/hey-greg-theres-already-gay-club-down.html
    That said, it’s good to see conservatives “coming out” in support of the gay community.

  28. Herb says:

    “That said, it’s good to see conservatives “coming out” in support of the gay community.”

    Yeah, they’re supporting the gay community like I support the Chargers when they play the Raiders. (I’m a Bronco fan.)

  29. Dustin says:

    The irony of the situation is that, in their childish effort to “support tolerance” they’re making mocking names related to homosexuality and 9/11. I’m quite sure if a legit gay bar had previously opened up in that area with the name Groud Queero or United 69, there would have a media firestorm of “tolerance” from the right.

  30. MickeyD says:

    What an interesting turn of events.

  31. Hullo says:

    How About “Saudi-mizer”

  32. matt says:

    Also they are going to have to work their prayerful visits and ceremonies around the five-time a day “Call to Worships” blasting through the air.

    You’re a very sadly misinformed person because that is clearly NOT in the plans for the center. How about you take a few minutes sit down and actually read what they have planned for this center and not what fox or bill o or rush says they have planned..

  33. jammygirl says:

    Did you mean Saudomizer.

  34. Hullo says:

    The “Urban Turban”

  35. Hullo says:

    The “Burka-Jerk”

  36. Hullo says:

    The “Martyr-Dome”

  37. G.A.Phillips says:

    How about we not build a mosque or a gay bar and everyone  just go to regular bars and churches? Like regular people?

  38. Jesse Taylor says:

    Er, a mosque is a “regular church” for Muslims.

  39. rodney dill says:

    <blockquote>That area of the city is actually totally dead at night, and isn’t at all a gay neighborhood.</blockquote>
    … Is it all that moslem a neighborhood?

  40. Toby says:

    I am looking for some space to open an eating establishment that serves pork products.  I will call it Islamic Pork Factory.

  41. An Interested Party says:

    My my…such hostility…it’s nice to see that Islamophobia and homophobia are alive and well…I wonder how all these enlightened souls, with their trite names for this prospective gay bar, would feel if, say, a gay youth center was built right next door to their Catholic church, or, a Planned Parenthood center was built right next door to their evangelical megachurch…oh, that’s right, they would whine and cry to high heaven to make sure such things were never built…meanwhile, it’s just fine to needle Muslims about their tolerance while having some fun with gay-bashing as well…I’m thinking of something Jesus was supposed to have said…something about a speck and a log…

  42. G.A.Phillips says:

    Well I want to open a rehab center called “Devil Worshipers Anonymous”, right along with with my bookstore called “Mohammed and Darwin are full of Donkey Poop Books” next to it.

    ***My my…such hostility…it’s nice to see that Islamophobia and homophobia are alive and well…I wonder how all these enlightened souls, with their trite names for this prospective gay bar, would feel if, say, a gay youth center was built right next door to their Catholic church, or, a Planned Parenthood center was built right next door to their evangelical mega church…oh, that’s right, they would whine and cry to high heaven to make sure such things were never built…***

    lol, dude gay bars are funny and so is naming them, but I would prefer the “Blue Oyster” myself with a horizontal crescent on the sign.

    And  a Planned Parenthood center would not be the same because they would not be responsible for the slaughter of innocence by way of the true doctrine of their religion in recent years and at the scene of the crime, er,ah,um,ah,um, oh wait…………..

  43. wr says:

    G.A. Phillips: So gays are not “regular people.” Muslims are not “regular people.” Who else doesn’t count as “regular” in your little corner of the world? Anyone who isn’t white and protestant, by any chance?

    Congratulations, you are the true face of the Tea Party: “We’re white, we’re old, we’re Christian, we’re straight, and we’re terrified of anyone who isn’t.”

  44. Alexander says:

    I’m going to build a shrine to the Virgin Mary next to the Gay Bar.

  45. G.A.Phillips says:

    ***Congratulations, you are the true face of the Tea Party: “We’re white, we’re old, we’re Christian, we’re straight, and we’re terrified of anyone who isn’t.”***

    lol….Im not terrified of you im terrified for you, but hey, like allways, you can’t take a joke or see jack.

  46. Vahn1995 says:

    The experiment of an open and tolerant society is ongoing. Over the past two centuries, the U.S., in the spirit of protest, has very slowly come to accept certain differences. However, it seems there is always another group of “different” people and there are still very many ethnocentric communities who are hostile to any kinds of difference. I don’t think that will ever change. Some people are just mean, insecure, angry racists (You all know who you are). All you have to do is read the comments people post below articles about race or difference. They are ashamed of their feelings and, like the cowards they are, use the anonymous platform of the internet to vent their true feelings. Most are as closeted as gay people were 30 years ago. Is that evidence of progress in the experiment?

  47. tolerate this says:

    Try erecting a billboard across the street from this mosque with a picture of Muhammad, and you’ll see how much muslims respect tolerance and freedom.

  48. my big styro jesus can holo-smite your big styro allah says:

    yeah a gay bar. viguerie, keker, ludmon [sp?], and dobson have already formed the holding corporation.
    on the menu: grilled cheese sandwiches with image of jesus, mohammed, fsm, thor, santa claus, ronald reagan, and other deities.
    open a moonie church nearby where they can perform mass goat weddings (“damn! there go the 44 virgins!”)
    but we already have marketing demographic data that tells us that locating a gay bath near ted haggard’s (ex) church would financially do well.
    and.. a combo synagogue/mosque in Riyadh and Vatican City, yes. when westboro baptist appoints a gay ex-army ranger minister. and when those pesky klingons build a quarks bar.

  49. Starr says:

    I find it interesting to see all the liberal left assuming this is a right wing ploy. There are now many, many democrats,,who have openly expressed didain over the location of the proposed new Mosque Harry Reid for one and even our President has flip flopped and added to his first remarks that this is not in good taste (not quite those words.but intimating it)..This is not, should not be a political thing..although Nancy Pelosi would have you believe it is. Let’s take up some donations of Public money and send her along with Imam Feisal on a goodwill trip to the Arab nations. She would look very stylish in a Barka. I say if they can build , where they wish, so can the Gays, maybe open a pet store too selling little porkers too…that will surely get their goat ! 😉

  50. Starr says:

    “G.A.Phillips says:
    Thursday, August 12, 2010 at 20:25
    ***Congratulations, you are the true face of the Tea Party: “We’re white, we’re old, we’re Christian, we’re straight, and we’re terrified of anyone who isn’t.”***

    lol….Im not terrified of you im terrified for you, but hey, like allways, you can’t take a joke or see jack.”

    and you are the perfect left wing example of arrogance, ignorance, naievete, petulance,..obviously you get a lot of Jack! and you certainly are an A** Hehaw!