DIVA spoke to the creators of the latest night in New York for masculine lesbians, trans, and non-binary individuals
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGES BY LEYDA CRUZ
It’s a truth universally acknowledged that lesbian bars are closing. Everywhere you look it feels like spaces for LGBTQIA people are dwindling. However, nestled away in the West Village at the Playhouse is a brand new night – and it’s all for the mascs.
Held on the first Wednesday of the month, Masc House offers a sanctuary for masculine lesbians, trans, and non-binary individuals and the broader LGBTQIA community. Created by Mexican-born Creative Director, Hostess, and Resident Drag performer Lori Lu, along with Art Director and Visual Producer Leyda Luz, Masc House is redefining the way that queer spaces look.
Their latest Masc House night (8 January) saw everything from tarot card readers to arm wrestling competitions. Joined by their spokesperson and special guest OITNB’s Lea DeLaria, Playhouse Manager Warrel and Masc House Producer Alena Adler, we chatted about why a night like Masc House is so important right now.
What is the atmosphere like at Masc House?
Lori: As a drag performer it’s important for me to give performances that are targeted at the female gaze. We’re all about pleasing the girlies. We have drag performers, we have burlesque, we have a raffle for a lap dance. The winner was very excited. We have a drag king which we incorporate. It’s very diverse.
Leyda: I take photos to show the vibes of the show. My idea is that through my pictures I can show the diversity of Femme and Masc House. I would love to see those pictures in 20-30 years.
Lea: The vibe is really fun. It’s very chill. Everyone is having a good time. It’s really important to have these safe spaces for us to gather. They are getting fewer and farther in between. Events like this are really important. Speaking as a butch dyke, it’s important that we have places devoted to us because we’re often left out twisting in the wind. I love that we now have Masc House where we can have fun, and be with our group, and enjoy everyone’s company. Dance, party, drink. Camaraderie and community – that’s what Masc House is all about.
Warrell: The safe spaces feel a little less safe these days, especially with our political climate. People are very much searching for their sanctuaries. I am very proud to say that Playhouse is one of those. I feel inclusivity is truly inclusive at Playhouse.
What’s been the response from the community?
Lori: A lot of people put on LGBTQIA nights but it ends up just being gay men. We’re trying to bring the whole alphabet mafia together, not just the G.
Alena: Having worked in a lesbian bar and watching the rapid decline of lesbian spaces, having an event like this is so important. Especially in a big city like New York. A decade ago there were so many events to choose from, and so I hope this is adding on to what already is and giving more possibilities of what could be.
Lea: Personally, it’s just really great to be hanging out with dykes. I’ve been doing that my whole life. Starting in the mid 90s places just started disappearing. I think that we have very reasonably been aware of that and places are opening up again. I think it’s once again needed. We need these safe spaces. We want to be together with us. I thought people were just having the best time and just being queer women.
Warrell: So many dykes have come and approached me and have said how happy they are that we have this event. There are no spaces for gay women. In a city that never sleeps, for there to be so few spaces for women, by women is strange. I’ve been in the queer nightlife industry for 14 years and it’s always shocked me. I’m just so proud and happy to be part of making this new space for queer women.
Why do you think Masc House is so special right now?
Leyda: The diversity is huge. I am really interested in taking pictures of them so they can feel included.
Alena: We wanted to create a lesbian, queer, trans space. For me, one of the reasons I wanted to create Masc House in contrast to Femme House is there are not a lot of parties for masculine people. That umbrella is so wide. The reason I wanted to start this is because the queer community in general represents resilience. Especially since the pandemic, so many spaces have been shut down. To pop back up and create something new and fresh that represents the community is what it’s about for me.
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