How Mississippi s oldest gay bar survived the COVID pandemic
ISABELLE TAFT, Sun Herald
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BILOXI, Miss. (AP) Last March, after Lynn Koval watched COVID-19 cases spread across the United States, she bought several thousand dollars worth of beer and liquor before closing the doors at Just Us Lounge, the oldest gay bar still operating in Mississippi.
The little storefront on Division Street survived Hurricane Katrina. It weathered the BP oil spill. It hosted fundraisers for countless community members in need. And it’s been a place to find community and refuge in a conservative state.
Koval knew her bar would survive the pandemic, because she knew she couldn’t let it die. And so, as a veteran of South Mississippi nightlife, she thought practically and stocked up on supplies.
WXXV News 25
June 28, 2021
After having to cancel last year’s event due to COVID-19, the Gulf Coast Association of Pride returned with their fourth annual Pride Festival.
People from all over came to celebrate at the Point Cadet Plaza Pavilion in Biloxi. There was live music, vendors, and even free mom hugs.
The Gulf Coast Association of Pride is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to providing resources to the local LGBT+ community. GC Association of Pride Board Director Noel Tauzien said, “Last year we skipped because of Covid obviously, but we’re back and we’re back with a full vengeance. We’ve got a great crowd out here today enjoying amazing music, fabulous food. We’ve got a ton of vendors out here. So, this is really about sharing knowledge about Pride, about the community and really helping the community.”