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And may the responsible parties act before this happens again. It was avoidable, if only people would listen. The tragedy of Eric’s death was foreseeable. When Tabu’s security team punched him in the head, it was another event in decades of brutality against the LGBT+ community. And so I ask them: How will you deal with this tragedy? What will you do to make sure it never happens again? And until you can assure the safety of the people you happily profit from, why should we trust, or patronize, any of you?Įric Pope should be alive. The Philadlephia LGBT+ community deserves better from Sotland, the other Tabu owners, and every other gay bar that contracts with Mainline. And when they dragged his limp body from the gutter, he was propped up against Tabu. He was laid out in the street in front of Tabu. Eric Pope was punched by someone who works at Tabu.
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Instead they continue to contract with a company whose employees have attacked us before.
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Tabu has a responsibility to keep their patrons safe. Tabu owner Jeffrey Sotland’s claim that the man who killed Pope was not a bar employee would be laughable if it were not so disgusting. We know these security guards are not our allies, and yet Tabu and other bars allow them to continue to harass and assault us. Drag performers have reported being shoved and verbally accosted. Outward homophobia and transphobia are a regular part of dealing with Mainline guards, and Mainline has been sued a dozen times since 2020, often for egregious acts of violence. On April 27, the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office announced that it’s charging Frye with third-degree murder. Tabu contracts with Mainline Private Security, a private firm which has received a number of complaints, from patrons and performers, about their security team. Kenneth Frye, a bouncer who worked at Tabu Nightclub earlier this month and allegedly killed Eric Pope after escorting the gay man out of Tabu due to intoxication, is being charged with murder. While Pope’s death is appalling, it comes as little surprise to those of us who frequent Tabu and other bars in the area. Eric Pope was not taken from us by a mad gunman he was taken by the people who are supposed to keep us safe. We should be able to see our friends, meet interesting people, and have fun without fear of violence. Philadelphia’s Gayborhood is meant to be a place where queer people can find safety, community, and support. PHILADELPHIA (AP) A bouncer at a Philadelphia gay bar is wanted for third-degree murder after allegedly punching an ejected bar patron who later died, police said Wednesday. After the 2016 shooting at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, I often find myself worrying about what I’d do if I ever found myself in such a horrible situation.