THE PROBLEM: A recent announcement revealed that Hanover Co., a multi-million dollar luxury real estate developer, has launched an attack on historic LGBTQ+ safe spaces located on the block of 4th St and Colorado St in downtown Austin. Their aim is to demolish Neon Grotto and Coconut Club and temporarily displace Oilcan Harry's, Austin's oldest gay bar, in order to build overpriced luxury condos only attainable by the rich. On Wednesday, May 4th, 2022, Austin's Historic Landmark Commission will have a hearing open to the public at City Hall Council Chambers (301 West 2nd St) to determine the ability for Hanover Co. to carry out the demolition of our beloved block, but we need YOUR HELP to stop the demolition.

WHY YOU SHOULD SIGN THE PETITION: We hope that bringing a petition to the hearing with tons of signatures will help the council understand the gravity and importance of this issue to not just Austin's community but also to LGBTQ+ communities and allies around the world. With only 6 LGBTQ+ bars spanning the block and with a beautiful rainbow sidewalk to show support for our community, the destruction of almost half of these bars unfairly targets, crowds, and pushes our marginalized community out of our space, displaces LGBTQ+ workers, bartenders, and entertainers from their jobs, and overall intrudes on a historic district that Hanover Co. has absolutely no business infiltrating. Ask yourself, why isn't Hanover Co. targeting a location of one of the hundreds of non-LGBTQ+ bars in Austin instead...? Additionally, the homeless crisis in Austin is worsening day by day, and the building of more luxury condos only helps the rich and Hanover Co. make an extra buck while continuing to destroy the culture of Austin we all know and love. KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD!

BACKGROUND: For decades, this block has been a vital part of the Austin LGBTQ+ community's culture, welcoming ALL with open arms regardless of who they are. The vibrancy, energy, safety, and comfort of our community needs to be protected at all costs to allow those in the LGBTQ+ community to find themselves, find their people, and meet others they know will support them in an environment that has zero tolerance for hate. That type of environment does not exist in many straight bars throughout the city. The destruction of these properties will only lead to a snowball effect of the other LGBTQ+ bars on 4th St. being pushed out by other greedy developers until nothing remains. Erasure of the LGBTQ+ community and our culture will not be tolerated, and we will fight to the end to preserve it. 

WHAT ELSE YOU CAN DO TO HELP: SHARE this petition via all social media's and with anyone you may know and ask them to sign it. EMAIL preservation@austintexas.gov expressing your concerns. In the email, ASK to sign up to speak at the May 4th hearing. INCLUDE your name, that you would like to speak on Item A1, that you are against the demolition, your email, and your phone number. You can speak via phone or ask for information to speak in person. If you are unable to make the hearing via phone or in-person on May 4th, you can ask them to record your comment via email and it will be relayed to the HLC.

MAY THE 4TH BE WITH AUSTIN'S LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY.