Tensions are running high in Missouri as the authorities investigate who made threatening calls to three LGBTQ+ bars. PRISM STL, Just John, and Rehab, all located on Manchester Avenue in the trendy nightlife district of St. Louis, received calls between Saturday night and Sunday morning from an individual threatening to harm patrons and staff. The caller identified themselves as “The Joker.” The calls come just after state legislators introduced legislation to outlaw drag shows, a staple of the area’s nightlife.
The owners of PRISM, Michael Klatske and Sean Abernathy, believe that the toxic anti-LGBTQ+ political climate in the United States is responsible for the recent threats against queer spaces. “Some politicians in this state are bigoted towards my community and are trying to create laws with no data behind them that create a sense of more hate towards my community,” Abernathy said.
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Despite the concerning threats, the owners of local LGBTQ+ establishments say they will not be deterred or intimidated out of existence. New security measures, including working with the St. Louis police for support and visibility, are in place, and the police are continuing to investigate the incidents from the weekend. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is also involved in the case. “We’re getting threatened with not only hate crimes, but terroristic threats,” Abernathy said. “This is all coming at a community that’s just trying to exist. We’re not trying to hurt anybody. We just want to be able to exist and have a good time.”
Social Excerpt: Threats against LGBTQ+ bars in Missouri have the community on edge. Authorities are investigating, but the owners remain determined to keep their establishments open. #LGBTQ #Missouri #Threats
