Uproar turns straight bar into gay hot spot

[Hazumu]

by Megan Finnerty - May. 10, 2008 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic

nderson, who now counts de LaFreniere as a close friend, said he's relieved the gay community has embraced the club.

"I had woken up several times at 3 or 4 a.m.," he said, "just hoping I was making the right move." De LaFreniere, a parks department employee from Scottsdale, has been several times and says she's impressed by Anderson's commitment to the GLBT community. Forbidden has hosted events for several gay organizations, sponsored a float in Phoenix's Pride parade in April, and will be the site of an upcoming transgender fundraiser.

On a recent night, de LaFreniere danced in her favorite spot, by the speakers to the right of the stage, and said it felt like coming home.

"I'd always loved dancing there, before everything, and I just started crying; it just brought back all my good memories," she said.

Comments section

[Natasha]

Uproar turns straight bar into gay hot spot

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/05/10/20080510forbidden.html
5/9/2008

"For 25 years, this was Anderson's Fifth Estate, a rock and new wave
dance club. But a year after resolving a highly publicized battle with
the transgender community, owner Tom Anderson has transformed
Forbidden into the Valley's premier club for the gay, lesbian,
bisexual and transgender community."