Edmonton’s Elusive Women’s Spaces: The Prism Story
by Curated December 27, 2024 · Gay News / Gay Pride / Gay Rights
I used to wonder about how cowboys must have felt right after the mythological ‘Old West’ died. Figures like Wyatt Earp lived long enough to have American film actor and star of many early Western films between 1909 and 1935 – Tom Mix – bear up their coffins. Were they sad to see the world change in the way it did? Or is the present destined to always be vexing in its refusal to stay the same?
These days, I think of lesbian bars — real, tangible locations where queer women gather — and I don’t need to wonder. Lesbian bars have, unfortunately, become a thing of the past; even lesbian event organizations seem to be languishing post-Covid, with more recent casualties like Sapphic Speakeasy being among them.
The lesbian bar has become a rare gem, as elusive as a white whale. There are only 32 remaining lesbian bars in the United States at time of writing — with 25% located in New York — and according to Radio-Canada data, there are none left in Canada. It’s a shame, given that Edmonton was by all accounts something of a hotbed for vast and varied queer venues. But what did the proverbial fall of lesbian “Rome” actually look like here in Edmonton? For that, we can look to Prism.
Notably, Prism wasn’t always Prism. First, it was Secrets, opened by Liz Gates in 1998 and located directly across the alley from another queer staple, Boots (which was a men-only queer venue when it first opened). One iconic feature of Secrets was Liz’s motorcycle, which she proudly displayed inside the bar… suspended from the ceiling. A fun photo opportunity for many patrons. When asked about the motorcycle, Liz said, “Every dyke likes a bike!”
In 2002, Secrets Bar and Grill ceased operations. Gates sold her share of the business to Cindy Goodwin — the new ownership rebranded it as Prism Bar & Grill and relocated to a restaurant on 101 Street; renowned Edmonton drag queen Twiggy continued to serve as the bartender. Prism continued to host drag shows, drawing in diverse crowds, though their primary focus remained on serving the lesbian community.
In January 2007, Prism proudly identified as a lesbian bar, a label that carried both pride and a degree of controversy. The term “lesbian bar” has often been laden with stereotypes — some of which lesbians, like myself, find self-referentially funny — but Prism made a clear and focused effort to embrace it wholeheartedly. A bar manager named Natasha explained to GayCalgary.com, “We are never going to refuse entry to a guy, gay or straight. …But predominantly it is women who attend this bar, and we know that. It is a predominantly lesbian bar, so we and our clients are quite happy with that label. Everyone – whether gay, bi, transgendered [sic], straight – is welcome here as long as they know it’s a lesbian bar… we love them all to death.”
The focus was not only on maintaining a welcoming environment for its established clientele but also on attracting younger audiences. Natasha noted, “We are trying to get more young ones in, and get us to be the place that the lesbian crowd comes before they go to a nightclub. We can’t compete with a nightclub, but we want to let the young lesbian crowd know that we are here, as they don’t know we are here.”
Prism offered a range of activities, from pool tables and arcade games to a lively events calendar featuring karaoke, leather nights, and dancing. Two Fridays a month featured DJ Gnaw-T, and the bar hosted occasional karaoke and open mic nights. The management was keen on introducing more live music, aiming to support local talent and provide a platform for acoustic performances. “We are looking at getting more bands and live music, and make Prism a live music location for the gay scene,”
Special events were a staple at Prism. The bar celebrated occasions like Oilers playoffs with themed decorations and catered to personal celebrations by decorating and accommodating special requests. This flexible and accommodating approach helped cement Prism’s reputation as a community-focused venue. Natasha emphasized, “If someone wants something from this bar, they just have to let us know and we will try our best to accommodate it. We don’t have an attitude of ‘this is our bar and this is what we provide, like it or leave it.’”
Prism was also deeply involved in the queer community, participating in the annual Edmonton Pride parade and hosting fundraisers for various community groups. Popular events included drag shows and themed nights like “Str8 2 Diva” (which is what it sounds like; a fundraising event where straight men were put into drag). The bar also served a full menu that included daily specials — the idea was to entice patrons to visit before they headed to the queer clubs.
By mid-2008, new ownership shifted the bar’s focus. The transition was described in a promotional piece for the new owners: “Welcome to PRISM Bar & Grill…the Place to Be! Where the new owners, management, and staff are friendly and welcoming and you’re assured a good time whether you’re there for a nice dinner or a wild party.” This rebranding aimed to broaden the bar’s appeal but it should be noted that the bar’s established lesbian identity was already entrenched — new initiatives simply wanted to make the bar’s “Everyone’s welcome” ethos more explicit.
By August 2010, Prism’s era came to an end. The bar closed its doors and was succeeded by The Junction Bar & Eatery — in the former Boots location! — under the new owners, Tracey and Deborah. The Junction adopted a broad “all-inclusive” approach but was still an unambiguously queer-centric space. The Junction’s promotional material highlighted a vision of community, inclusiveness, and LGBT safety, and the decor included pride flags displayed proudly and prominently on the walls. Junction closed on September 22nd, 2012, celebrating, remembering and commemorating “the end of 43 years of gay bars at a little [space] on 106 St” with a Grand Finale party.
Prism’s closure was felt by many in the community who had come to see it as — like any good queer venue — more than just a bar, but a place of gathering and safety. Its legacy lives on as a significant part of Edmonton’s queer history—a place where many found a sense of belonging and community. Even with the transition to The Junction and its courting of broader queer patronage, Prism is remembered fondly by those who valued its commitment to creating a safe and welcoming space for the lesbian and queer community.
Additional reading:
Remembering Deborah Chymyshyn
Funding for this story made possible by the Edmonton Heritage Council and the City of Edmonton
Aldynne Belmont
Aldynne H. Belmont is an American-Canadian lesbian, writer, lover of storytelling, and sometimes-showgirl, in that order. Aldynne has happily become entangled in the wide and wonderful web of YEG’s queer scene since moving to the city in 2020, and is a graduate of Edmonton’s own University of Alberta with a Bachelor’s in English and Film.
Her published work includes essays, journalism and theatre. Most recently, her stage play Ride Lyke Hell — described as a “lesbian friends-to-lovers romantic-comedy road-trip post-western” — debuted as a stand-out at Theatre Network’s Nextfest 2024.
She is both proud and absolutely giddy to be making a “serious, grown-up girl career” of the written word. Aldynne lives with her beautiful partner, two cats, and a very loud little dog in a townhouse designed by Wallbridge and Imrie.
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