Web Extra

by Mede Cardenas

WE ARE FAMILY

One Kindred Spirits denizen marks the annual celebration of the venerable nightspot

Kindred-of the same ancestry or family. Spirits-the vital principle or animating force within living beings. Author Margot Asquith wroteŠ "An inward flame; a lamp the world blows upon but never puts out."

When Marion Coleman first announced that she was opening Kindred Spirits, I remember feeling elated, because at the time the only bars that catered to the lesbian community were Club L'Amour, Twins, and Marion and Lynn's. Not that they were bad bars, but the kind of bar that Marion had in mind was going to be something special.

In the months that followed, I had the opportunity to visit the location on Buffalo Speedway while it was under construction. I recall standing on the small platform of the entryway, looking down at what was a gutted area of equipment, sawdust and emptiness. Marion was amid the piles of clutter walking about the place, passionate and committed as she conveyed to those around her what the place was going to look like once it was completed. She spotted me and motioned me towards her. "Look, over there is where the tables and chairs are going to be set up." I stared in the direction she was pointing and saw a drab area. "And over here," she called out. "That's where the dance floor is going to be." I looked up at a lifeless circular wooden floor. Then I heard her voice again. "And over here, that's where the bar is going to be, with brass trimming and a huge mirror." She spread her arms out. My eyes sought her vision, but came up short. Then she pointed up. "Up there, there's going be pool tables, and to the right another bar and the DJ booth." I looked, but once again failed to see the picture she was painting.

Finally opening night arrived, and I along with hundreds of others lined up to seek entry to Kindred Spirits. I walked through the front door, embraced Marion, and when I caught the first glimpse of the bar, an overwhelming feeling of awe spread through me. I couldn't believe my eyes. The place was elegant. The chairs and tables, the dance floor with the disco ball, the bar, and the pool tables on the second level-everything was as she had said it would be. I turned around and watched as Marion continued to shake hands with every person, sometimes exchanging some words with them, and thinking to myself, What a wonderful person, what a wonderful vision. But then again Marion has always been that type of person. You will never see her enter a room with the aura of self-importance or grandeur. But make no mistake. She is an icon that is embraced by the gay community. She will tell you otherwise and may even dispute the high regard that people often express about her. You see, she doesn't seek rewards or pats on the back. No, everything that Marion does for the community or for a friend comes from her heart.

Kindred Spirits was the Cheers of the gay community where almost everyone knew your name. It wasn't your typical bar where the main objective was profit. No, this was a magnificent bar that gave lesbians a sense of pride to call their own. It was a place where we could be ourselves, where the weight of stress peeled away with ease and the thump-thump-thump of our hearts made us feel alive and well.

Yes, Kindred Spirits was our haven, and it threaded many a story. Like "Fire Lane Julie," the employee who had the difficult task of keeping the approximate distance of three feet surrounding the bar free of traffic. More than once a night she would pass by the patrons surrounding the bar, shouting above the music, "Get out of the fire lane." The first few times she did this, the crowd found it humorous, but it was quite clear that Julie was more than serious if you dared to hesitate in her path. So it was understood that whenever her voice was heard, the crowd parted like the Red Sea.

Then there's the story of how Marion provided taxis and coffee for those who had somehow had more than their share of drink. And who can forget how the song "We Are Family" brought everyone out onto the dance floor at the end of each evening. And who was leading us in this rendition of unity? None other than Marion. And there's my personal story of how I met Sarah, the woman I have loved for the past 20 years. It was a Friday night, September 24, 1982. I was standing on the second level in the area near the DJ booth that overlooked the dance floor. I usually went there because I enjoyed watching the dancers below. Although I had been single for almost a year, the last thing I was looking for was to get involved, but it happened. Our eyes met, and the thump-thump-thump of my heart kicked into high gear. When the dance ended, I met her at the top of the stairs and asked her to dance. She said yes, and the rest is history.

Kindred Spirits may no longer be at Buffalo Speedway or at Richmond Avenue, but the good times, the stories it weaved, the friendships and relationships it brought togethee lives on in in every person that walked through its doors. On March 15, 2003, Marion once again will provide us with the opportunity to come together as a family with the second annual Kindred Spirits Reunion Dance.

Mede Cardenas lives in Houston.

KINDRED SPIRITS RETURNS

On March 15, Marion Coleman will host the second annual Kindred Spirits Reunion Dance at the Edwin Hornberger Center (2151 West Holcombe Blvd. at Shamrock Drive). A Christmas Songfest, the holiday HIV/AIDS charity, is presenting the event. Tickets to the 8 p.m.-midnight event are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Proceeds will benefit Lesbian Health Initiative and women's programs at Montrose Clinic, Montrose Counseling Center, and Houston Buyer's Club.

Advance tickets can be purchased at Acadian Bakers, Basic Brothers, DaCapo's, House of Coleman, Keys West, Meteor, Montrose Clinic, Montrose Counseling Center, and Houston Buyers Club and through Lesbian Health Initiative.

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