Help Bossy Grrls, local LGBTQIA+ safe space and performance venue, recover and repair after attack.
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July 26, 2024:
From the Owner, Cora:
Late Wednesday night our venue was the victim of a hate crime. A disturbed individual threw heinous slurs and insults at our staff and patrons, physically attacked one person and broke in our door. The end result was 4 stitches, a massive repair bill, and a heaping helping of trauma.
We don't know if he chose our venue specifically because it's a queer space, or if he was going to be a problem wherever he went and thought bigotry was the most hateful thing he could do in the moment. Neither circumstance negates the impact his actions had.
We're very proud of our staff's response, from repeated attempts at de-escalation to ensuring the safety of patrons and performers. We're not exaggerating when we say they were heros that night.
We like to think that our venue is of value to the community. Even though we don't have the biggest stage or snazziest decor, we keep the doors open because we love what we do, and want to provide a space for all the misfit toys in Columbus.
We want to be able to pay the effected staff so they can take time off without a loss of income. We want to replace our door with something more substantial and beef up our security. We want to keep providing burlesque, drag, karaoke and more. That means it's time for us to ask the community for a helping hand in return.
Critical needs to make Bossy Grrls safe and care for affected staff:
- New Security door - 7k (fabricated and installed)
- Paid time off for injured hero employees - $900
- New Security door sensors and extra security cameras - $800
- Extra security staff - $1000
- Additional funds raised will be used for community aid and improvement
Transparency notice: this fundraiser is hosted by the Autonomy Project in solidarity for our LGBTQIA+ community. 100% of the net proceeds of this fundraiser go to the recipient.
Autonomy Project is a 501c3 nonprofit, all donations are tax deductible.