The Tavern Guild, formed in 1962 in San Francisco, was the first assocation of gay businesses. Gay bar owners and employees began tired of constantly being harassed by city authorities for serving gay customers, which was forbidden. Finally, they banded together to help each other out, by presenting a united front. They developed a phone network to track police raids. They organized fundraisers and charity events, which were extremely successful and important, including the Beaux Arts Ball, the first large public drag ball. It was held from 1963 into the late 1970s. They contacted beer and liquor manufacturers and distributors for help in their fight against the police and the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
The association lasted until 1995.
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