Special guest Alabama (left) and emcee Aaliyah Martinez check out the silent auction.
On Friday, September 10, I joined a special event called “Save the Kitty” at the Chrome Cat in Lansing, Michigan. I rarely hit the bar scene, but this place gives the community feeling that I missed so much while in Belgium: dynamic and welcoming to all walks of life. As Chrome Cat manager Melissa “Inky” Kim puts it,
I have worked in other gay bars, frequented many other bars, and if there is one thing to say about Chrome Cat versus other local watering holes, it’s this: you are always welcome, you are always respected and they have one hell of a staff serving this community and safe space for all.
The event was a fundraiser to catch up on back rent, and many area residents came out to support. Performers and staff donated their participation. Guests bid in the silent auction and bought 50/50 raffle tickets. The gathering radiated positive energy.
My photos from “Save the Kitty” are available on Flickr. Check them out to see beautiful faces of Lansing! And learn more about the history of Lansing’s LGBTQIA bars in Inky’s article in Lansing Online News, our town’s independent media source.
