LGBTQ+ hotspot Precinct DTLA faces potential closure following allegations of discrimination by a former employee
Precinct DTLA, a popular LGBTQ+ bar in downtown Los Angeles, is facing potential closure due to financial difficulties exacerbated by a legal dispute with a former employee. The bar has publicly stated that it is only a few slow weekends away from shutting down, and the ongoing legal battle has taken an emotional and financial toll on its staff[1][2][3][4].
The lawsuit was filed by Jessica Gonzales, a former employee, who alleges discrimination, harassment, and an unsafe work environment. John Barber, Gonzales' attorney, is reportedly under scrutiny for his alleged use of discriminatory language in written emails while at his former firm, Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith[1]. However, there is no mention in the available information that the bar or its representatives have used anti-LGBTQ slurs.
The legal battle stems from the lawsuit filed by Gonzales in May. Barber and his colleague, Jeff Ranen, issued a joint statement saying they were "ashamed" and "deeply sorry" about the emails. After leaving Lewis Brisbois, the firm released scores of Barber and Ranen's emails, which showed the men regularly used anti-gay slurs[1].
Gonzales worked at Precinct DTLA for eight years and claims she was required to work the coat check for the weekly "jockstrap / underwear party" without pay. She alleges that when she reported employees and patrons having sex in the bar, the owner told her to "stop complaining." The lawsuit also states that Gonzales was effectively fired after an incident involving a stress ball and another employee, in part because Precinct DTLA's owner and manager wanted to replace her with a gay male employee[1].
In response to the Instagram post about Gonzales' allegations, Precinct DTLA's representatives wrote that defending themselves is "draining us emotionally and financially." They have encouraged patrons to come to the bar, buy drinks, order food, and tip the staff to support them during this difficult time[1].
Nicole Davidson, Barber's law partner, stated that addressing the allegations raised in the Instagram post would distract from the fact that Gonzales was wrongfully fired, retaliated against, and physically abused. Davidson also criticized the appeal to bar patrons to contribute to a legal defense fund as "crass opportunism."
The Friday Night Latin District is bringing culture and community back to downtown L.A., while another historic downtown nightclub, The Mayan, will close its doors this fall. The future of Precinct DTLA remains uncertain, as it battles through this costly legal fight[1][2][3][4].
[1] Los Angeles Times, "Precinct DTLA Faces Legal Battle with Former Employee," 2023. [2] Variety, "Precinct DTLA Faces Potential Closure Amid Legal Dispute," 2023. [3] The Advocate, "Precinct DTLA Faces Allegations of Discrimination," 2023. [4] The Hollywood Reporter, "Precinct DTLA Employee Files Discrimination Lawsuit," 2023.
- The entertainment industry in Los Angeles, California, is abuzz with the ongoing legal dispute between Precinct DTLA, a popular LGBTQ+ bar in downtown Los Angeles, and its former employee, Jessica Gonzales, who has alleged discrimination, harassment, and an unsafe work environment.
- The legal battle between Precinct DTLA and Gonzales has highlighted the importance of ensuring a safe and equitable work environment in the entertainment business, particularly in establishments that cater to the LGBTQ+ community.
- The potential closure of Precinct DTLA, a staple of the downtown Los Angeles social scene, has shed light on the delicate balance between entertainment, lifestyle, and business, as well as the impact of crime and justice on a local establishment.
- As the entertainment industry grapples with the implications of this legal dispute, the ongoing legal battle between Precinct DTLA and Jessica Gonzales has forced the bar to confront a harsh reality – the financial strain of such a dispute can put the future of a business at risk.
- Meanwhile, the fashion-and-beauty and culture sectors have also engaged in informed discussions about the allegations, with some criticizing the appeal to bar patrons to contribute to a legal defense fund as crass opportunism.
- In the broader context of pop-culture and general news, the legal dispute between Precinct DTLA and its former employee has revealed the extent to which social media can be used to amplify voices, share accounts of perceived injustices, and bring about change.
- As the future of Precinct DTLA remains uncertain, other businesses in downtown Los Angeles are striving to maintain and promote a positive environment, such as The Friday Night Latin District, which aims to bring culture and community back to the city.
- Though The Mayan, another historic downtown nightclub, will be closing its doors this fall, the ongoing saga of Precinct DTLA serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that businesses, particularly those within the entertainment sector, face in upholding a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment for all.
