Oral History Interview with Ed Bailey, 1966-

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From what started as a college kid seeking out the thrills of LGBTQ nightlife, to what transformed into a flourishing lifetime career, Ed Bailey details the intricacies of running a gay bar in Washington DC. Beginning with his first job DJ-ing at Tracks in the early ‘90s, Bailey explains how the super-nightclub became a massively influential safe space for the community. Bailey goes on to discuss his own business ventures, spanning the late ‘90s up to present day 2022, as the owner of many gay bars with business partner John Guggenmos.

In the second half of his interview, Bailey talks extensively on the “Death of the Gay Bar” both in the physical and philosophical sense. With the declining need for exclusively LGBTQ spaces, Bailey insists that gay bars must adapt to the constant evolution of the community.

The interview belongs to the Rainbow History Project.
The RHP release form was used and all rights belong to RHP.

Jeff Donahoe

Number Nine, 1435 P St NW, Washington, DC 20005

Yes, transcription available

Yes, recording available (audio .m4a)
Part 1: 24 MB, 00:49:40,
Part 2: 28 MB, 00:59:27