'I was just being myself': How one Phoenix bar took action after transphobic Yelp review

After receiving a two-star Yelp review that included a transphobic comment about another customer, Thunderbird Lounge is hosting a drag cornhole tournament to show support for the LGBTQ community.

The bar is located in Phoenix's Melrose District, which is recognized as an LGBTQ friendly neighborhood. Although the review mentioned the bar was "cool" and had a "retro vibe," it went on to mention the presence of a transgender customer playing cornhole which the reviewer described as "not ok."

When owners of the '70s-themed bar saw the review, they jumped into action. This Sunday, Nov. 17, the Thunderbird Lounge will host an event complete with drag performances, cornhole and prizes. All proceeds will be donated to the Human Rights Campaign of Arizona.

Organizing the event was a no-brainer way to turn a negative review into a positive event for the LGBTQ community, co-owner Jeremiah Gratza says.

"It came together really smoothly," Gratza says. "Luckily, being in the Melrose district, we have had a lot of helping hands."

'I was just being myself'

Kylie Anderson feels sure she is the person described in the review. Anderson was celebrating her birthday at Thunderbird Lounge with a group of friends on Sept. 28, the night the review was posted.

Anderson is a transgender woman and is in the process of coming out. She wore a black dress and heels to her birthday celebration.

"I wasn't trying to look like a drag queen," Anderson says. "I was just being myself."

With the Thunderbird Lounge's reaction to the review, she was glad to see a local business "turn lemons into lemonade."

"It really made my day," Anderson says.

In response to the negative review, Anderson says she's taking the high road and hopes others will do the same.

"The last thing I want to see is backlash against the reviewer," she says. "I don't believe in tearing peoples' lives down around one thing they say. Sometimes people have knee-jerk reactions to seeing someone a little different from them and I don't interpret it as homophobia or bigotry, some people just aren't used to seeing transgender people yet."

What to expect at the drag cornhole tournament

Five drag queens and kings will grace the runway stage at the Thunderbird Lounge at the event on Sunday.

Rubye Moore will host, and Twixxx, Yoyo Blackfire, Felix St. James and Dustin Riot will play in the tournament teaming up with those who enter. Each will also perform a song to kick off the event.

When Thunderbird Lounge owners reached out, all of the drag queens and kings were excited to participate in the event, Gratza says. Since then, more people have reached out wanting to be part of the show, so look out for surprise guest performances.

The tournament will include three games of cornhole. Winning teams from the first two games will advance to the final round, competing for prizes donated by local businesses.

Tickets to be one of four participants in the tournament cost $100 and all proceeds go towards HRC Arizona. Proceeds from Thunderbird pride T-shirts and drinks sold at the event will also be donated to the organization.

"We are all friends," Gratza says. "So we thought let's put some stuff together and help each other out."

Since posting about the event and its inspiration, Thunderbird has received an outpouring of support from fans on social media, the owner says. Regardless of the negative review, "it's been nothing but positivity and love," Gratza says.

What is the Thunderbird Lounge?

Sharing space in the historic Wagon Wheel Building with the Melrose Pharmacy and Restaurant Progress, the Thunderbird Lounge opened in April 2019.

The bar is owned and operated by three industry veterans: Jeremiah Gratza of Stateside Presents; Jacob Wiedmann, bass player for the Hot Guy Band; and Brett Boyles of Crescent Ballroom.

The Thunderbird Lounge features mid-century modern design with a jukebox, retro video games and a cigarette machine inside. Outdoors on the patio, customers can play yard games like giant Jenga and cornole.

Anderson's birthday visit to the Thunderbird Lounge was her first time going to the bar, and the drag cornhole tournament might be her second, she says.

"Now I think I have to go," Anderson says. "I'll wear the infamous little black dress and heels."

Details: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17. The Thunderbird Lounge, 710 W. Montecito Ave. Phoenix. 602-283-4621, thunderbirdloungephx.com.

Reach the reporter at tirion.morris@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on Twitter at @tirionmorris, on Facebook at Tirion Rose and on Instagram at tirionrose.

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