The ClubHouse In The Community

DC Democratic Party Carter-Mondale cocktail party, circa 1980.

The ClubHouse had a broader mission than just providing a super dance venue: it sought to reach out to the larger community, straight and gay, and to provide events and space for the community. With 10,000 square feet of space and state-of-the-art lighting and sound, the club could host dinners, political rallies, gospel nights, holiday festivals, educational events, and organizational events.

Special events such as the annual Mother's Day dinners and Sunday evening occasions were part of the regular calendar as were major events such as The Children's Hour. The Clubhouse was often used for special celebrations such as the monthly magazine BlackLight's anniversary party, for political rallies, and in the 80s for AIDS fundraising and educational events.

Mayoral candidate Marion Barry held a campaign rally at The ClubHouse in 1982. Arrington Dixon, DC Council representative for The ClubHouse's district had a rally there as well. Dixon's parents lived nearby and became supporters of the club, following initial suspicion, as its community outreach became more apparent. Democratic party rallies used the space as well. 

In 1979, The ClubHouse supported the Third World Conference at DC's Harambee House. To celebrate the event, the first national meeting of African American and Third World gays and lesbians, the club held a special Rally Ball. A notice advised members and guests that their admission fee would support the conference.

Washington, DC's African American LGBT community repaid The ClubHouse's fifteen years of support in the clubs' last financially troubled years. As AIDS, competition, and financial stresses made it harder for the managers to keep the club going, local groups organized fundraisers for The ClubHouse. Leading local AfricanAmerican social clubs, the Best of Washington and the Associates, raised funds for the club in the late 80s.