Sign Taken Down After Half A Century (Press, 18 January 1985)
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Summary: Sign Taken Down After Half A Century (Press, 18 January 1985)
A sign at Barney's Beanery in West Hollywood that read, "Fagots stay out," was taken down on 17 January 1985 after hanging for over 50 years. This action was in accordance with a new law in West Hollywood, which is noted for being the first city in the United States with a governing council controlled by homosexuals. The restaurant faced potential fines of $500 per day for violating the local law that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation. Irwin Held, the owner of the restaurant, had previously argued that the term "fagots" referred to bundles of wood. However, he decided to remove the sign to avoid an extensive legal confrontation which he believed could create division within the community and negatively impact his business. This decision reflects a broader societal shift, as many residents in West Hollywood, numbering around 36,000, considered the term "fagot"—whether spelled with one "g" or two—to be a derogatory slur for male homosexuals. The story highlights both the cultural tensions in the area and the evolving legal landscape regarding discrimination and LGBTQ+ rights in America.
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