Controversial gay bar opens in Winooski
WINOOSKI - Vermont's first gay bar in over a decade welcomed a steady stream of customers when it opened its doors Friday night, despite sparking controversy over the establishment's new name.
"All of the bars in Burlington have been really welcoming, but there hasn't been a place for us to call our own," owner Craig McGaughan said Friday evening, about half an hour after he opened Mister Sister for the first time. He added he was proud to be able to offer that place to the community and said the bar means "everything" to him.
He declined to comment further on the controversy regarding the name. Some have criticized the choice because they see the term as a slur against the transgender community.
The Pride Center of Vermont held a "trans town hall" to hear from the transgender community last week. After the meeting, the center issued a statement rebuking the name and calling it "hate speech." The statement was written by board member Bridget Barhight, who was identified as a transgender woman.
Read more: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/2017/03/10/controversial-gay-bar-opens-winooski/99014060/