In a recent development, the gay proprietors of Oakland’s popular Port Bar, Sean Sullivan and Richard Fuentes, have found themselves embroiled in a lease violation dispute with their landlord, Phil Leong. The dispute centers around the bar’s regular programming, which includes karaoke and trivia nights, drag brunches, and cabaret shows.
Leong alleges that Sullivan and Fuentes are in violation of their lease by hosting what he considers unauthorized activities, including “providing strip shows” and “allowing dancers to block traffic.” He claims that the bar lacks proper insurance for these activities and has ordered them to cease all such entertainment-related activities and vacate the property in 2024, several years ahead of their lease term.
Sullivan and Fuentes, however, vehemently deny these allegations, calling them “a pack of lies.” They, along with their supporters, are alleging discrimination in this dispute. Oakland councilmember Carroll Fife and the Alameda County Democratic Party have rallied to their cause, with the county Democrats issuing a nonbinding resolution in September to stop the bar’s eviction and demanding an investigation of Leong’s engineering firm.
While Leong insists he has no issue with LGBTQ+ people or events in general, he maintains that hosting them at Port Bar is in violation of their lease and poses safety hazards. The controversy continues to simmer, with the fate of the beloved LGBTQ+ venue hanging in the balance.
This dispute underscores the ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQ+ businesses and highlights the importance of addressing discrimination within the business community. As the situation unfolds, the Oakland LGBTQ+ community and its allies will be closely watching, hoping for a fair resolution to this lease violation controversy.