Space for Sapphics
The Rise of Sapphic, Queer and Trans Third Spaces in New York City
COMING SOON
a documentary series by Nic F. AndersonABOUT THE SERIES
Queer spaces that once offered refuge are disappearing; bulldozed by gentrification, priced out, shut down, or just left behind at an alarming rate. These weren’t just places to party. They weren’t just bars. They were community hubs. Lifelines.
In 2023, there were less than 30 lesbian bars across the country — three were in New York City.
Today, there are five — and counting. This resurgence is being spearheaded by those too often left out: lesbians, bisexuals, trans people, nonbinary folks — the full spectrum of FLINTA voices.
These aren’t just bars anymore and they’re not just for lesbians — they are cafe-cocktail cooperatives, mutual aid spaces by day and queer music venues by night, pop up parties centering those who are often shunned, places to learn and educate one another and so much more. It’s a renaissance. A radical rebirth. A reimagining of what spaces for the queer community could be.
Told through the stories of those behind this renaissance and radical rebirth of sapphic, queer and trans spaces New York City, Space for Sapphics* dives head first pulls back the curtain of what it really takes to build a queer space from the ground up: scraping together funding, navigating bureaucratic red tape, woking multiple jobs while also putting in countless hours of unpaid labor — all for the chance to create something that didn’t exist before.
They have bet everything on community — carving out space not for profit, but for the community’s survival, connection, and belonging. Their stories are ones of dedication, resilience, hope and love for the queer community.
This is not a Hollywood production. There’s no editorializing. This is not PR. This is real life. It’s raw, gritty and emotional.
In the first installment (season) of Space for Sapphics, filmmaker Nic F. Anderson follows BOYFRIEND co-op, Dave’s Lesbian Bar and Red Light Disco and their journeys over the course of more than two years.
*FLINTA is an acronym that stands for female, lesbian, intersex, transgender and agender.
Season One
Episode One: BOYFRIEND co-op
coffee and cocktail cooperative
opened in Brooklyn on March 29, 2025
Co-founded by: Hena Mustafa (she/her); Mica Fisher (she/her); Nat Risk (she/her); & Kacey Liebes (she/her)
When best friends Hena Mustafa and Mica Fisher were at a party several years ago, there was talk of how frustrating it was that there were only three lesbian/queer bars in New York City and none of them were close to where they lived— all of these places required two to three train transfers. In the moment, the duo joked that they were going to open their own lesbian cooperative cafe-bar. The next day, they asked themselves: “Wait, why are we joking? What if we do it?” Utilizing Mica’s extensive background in cooperatives and Hena’s experience with communications and planning, the two threw themselves into making their dream of a café-cocktail cooperative a reality.
After their first pop-up in 2022, the duo became a trio when Nat Risk joined as a co-founder and café director and shortly after, became a team of four when Kacey Liebes joined as a co-founder and the bar director. After countless of hours of planning, writing and re-writing the cooperative’s bylaws, nailing down the details, navigating bureaucratic red tape, looking at various retail spaces, BOYFRIEND co-op opened to the public. On Saturday, March 29, 2025 the founders and the steadfast crew — who are all on the track to become co-founders — opened the doors to New York City’s FLINTA community and within a few hours, the place was packed. It’s only up from here.
Episode Two: Dave’s Lesbian Bar
community and mutual aid space by day and venue by night
plans to open in Queens, New York City
The trajectory of Dave Dausch’s life changed in 2020 while they were at a protest for Black Trans lives. They were listening to Qween Jean, a well-known Black Trans activist in New York City, who was urging the crowd to go out and create queer spaces in their own neighborhood.
Qween Jean’s words made Dave think: why aren’t there any lesbian bars in Queens? When Dave met Sarose Klein, who had been organizing events for years and wanted also wanted to open up a queer space. Dave shared their idea of opening up Dave’s Lesbian Bar, a community and mutual aid space by day and a venue for queer artists and creatives, and those who enjoy their work, to take center stage.
Sarose told Dave that she would help secure the permits to block off the street. The duo planned their first event in the summer of 2021 with the help of their friends. Seven hundred people showed up.
Ever since, the team behind Dave’s Lesbian Bar have been hosting pop-up events with tickets priced at $10 each to fundraise enough money to make their dream become a reality. In less than three years, they raised $100,000, most of which has gone back into the community through paying artists and performers, but also purchasing their own equipment to amplify the performers, amongst other costs related to their pop-up events. The Dave’s Lesbian Bar team also gives back to community organization, mutual aid groups and neighbors — something they plan on making a regular business practice once Dave’s Lesbian Bar is fully operational.
Currently, the Dave’s Lesbian Bar co-founders are still looking for four walls in Astoria, Queens, to call home that fits their vision and the community needs.
Co-founded by: Dave Dausch (they/them), Sarose Klein (she/her), Benham Jones (he/him) & Syry Mitchell (she/her)
Episode Three: Red Light Disco
pop-up parties by and for queer sex workers
various locations in Brooklyn and Queens
Founded by: Rita Romero (she/her)
Rita Romero founded Red Light Disco (formerly known as Doll Haus NYC) because she felt there weren’t enough spaces and parties that made space for queer sex workers in New York City.
As a former sex worker herself, Rita wanted to create a space that didn’t just make queer sex workers feel welcome, but instead create a space intentionally designed for them. A space that is specifically catered towards queer sex workers where they could have fun, dress up, connect with one another and make sure that they didn’t have to deal with any stigma or judgment.
Currently, Rita isn’t looking for a brick and mortar space, but said maybe one day in the future she’ll consider it. In the meantime, hosting pop-up parties around Queens and Brooklyn gives her the flexibility to give queer sex workers to take a breath, let their hair down and be free.
More about Red Light Disco:
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