Gay cultural blog QueerGuru reports that a US Leather Community and SM Venue has been granted a license, in spite of opposition from a wealthy individual in the city.

There's a well-worn joke in queer circles: "What does a lesbian bring on a second date? A U-Haul." For decades, the punchline has poked fun at the apparent enthusiasm of gay women for the hire company's vans. But that particular piece of folklore is unlikely to amuse Stuart Shoen, the billionaire heir to the U-Haul fortune, who has been waging a one-man campaign against a new leather bar in Arizona.

The dispute centres on Matthew Moody, a nightlife organiser who previously spun records at Barracks, a well-known leather venue in Palm Springs. When that establishment was on the verge of closing its doors, Moody resolved to create a similar venture in Phoenix's Melrose district, a neighbourhood widely regarded as the city's emerging LGBTQ+ quarter. Given the area's vibrant community, the business seemed like an obvious winner. What he had not anticipated, however, was Shoen's recent acquisition of the adjoining plot, intended to house part of his vintage car collection.

Legal Wrangling Over a Liquor Licence

Before Moody could even don his leathers, Shoen lodged objections to the bar's application for a drinks licence. With deep pockets at his disposal, the billionaire financed a protracted courtroom battle featuring months of hearings, extensive paperwork, subpoenas and repeated adjournments, all of which left the proposed venture in a state of uncertainty.

To counter accusations that he was motivated by homophobia, Shoen's legal team pointed out that the original Palm Springs Barracks had closed following a police sting, which revealed it had frequently been operating as a licence-free sex club. They also noted that Moody had initially gone into business with Richard "Scott" Murchison, the Palm Springs owner, to secure the new Phoenix premises.

Moody, however, sees things differently. "He had no problem buying next to a bar," he said. "He only had an issue when he found out it was going to be a gay leather bar."

A Conditional Victory

On 10 July, the matter finally reached a conclusion, with the Arizona State Liquor Board ruling in Moody's favour. The licence was granted, albeit with a stipulation attached: Moody has 90 days to sever all ties with Murchison from the bar's ownership structure. Now the only remaining task is to get those outfits polished and ready for business.

https://queerguru.com/