Lesbian community pioneer needs our help
Donation protected
Friends of Elaine Romagnoli (Bonnie & Clyde’s, the original Cubbyhole, Crazy Nanny’s), are initiating a fundraising campaign.
The legendary host, restaurateur and club operator is currently facing considerable health and financial challenges.
Impaired by several surgeries, Elaine’s mobility is compromised. Her economic security was devastated by a business venture betrayal. Isolated and facing looming economic depredation, Elaine’s struggle to manage her affairs has taken a toll on her spirits and outlook.
Ever tenacious and resourceful, Elaine has borrowed against every asset available to her; unfortunately, at this time, even the sale of her cottage will not provide the relief necessary to cover debts, healthcare costs and living expenses.
Elaine needs some help. We wish to help our friend who, fifty years ago, provided inspiration, encouragement and sisterhood for untold numbers of then virtually invisible lesbians. For the next 34 years, her commitment to that underserved community never wavered.
HerStory
At the age of 27, Elaine opened Bonnie and Clyde’s the first lesbian owned dance and dinner club in the Village.
It was 1971, when gay enterprises were historically mafia owned, closeted and subject to police raids.
Holding the view that we were going to be “out,” Elaine prevailed over harassment, naysayers and hecklers.
Bonnie and Clydes (B&C’s) was the first of her several unique establishments where women were free to be: free to express and represent themselves as they wished; free to dress, socialize, romanticize, play, be wild, be political, and be safe.
The cultural impact of Bonnie and Clyde’s on West 3rd Street in the Village resonates to this day. African-American women, long discouraged from frequenting downtown clubs reveled in the inclusive and warm welcome that Bonnie’s extended to women of all colors from all cultures and communities.
B&C’s provided a location for Gloria Steinem and Margaret Sloane, who, over drinks, hashed out the growing pains of the Feminist Movement and Ms. magazine articles. The incipient Lesbian Gay Liberation Movement found a launching pad at B&C’s: a site to meet, discuss, initiate new ideas, support networking, create happenings, fundraisers, theme parties, plan marches and strategize initiatives to achieve community objectives and disseminate political agendas. For ten magical, memorable years, Elaine’s guests danced, sang and celebrated. I know! In 1972 I came out at Bonnie and Clyde’s.
In 1981, when the West 3rd lease was up, Elaine opened The Cubbyhole, a more intimate lesbian destination club on the corner of Hudson and Morton Street, (now Henrietta Hudson.) Inspiring the kind of loyalty that leaders (not bosses), enjoy, Elaine’s hand-picked staff and popular bartenders kept the party going for another decade of fun and celebration.
A hands-on, thoughtful and generous host, Elaine honored various traditional and non-traditional events, replete with treats and swag. Every Saint Patrick’s Day Elaine (a chef in her own right), cooked her famous corned beef and cabbage, and delivered it with warm Irish soda bread to the Cubby. Elaine enjoyed preparing complimentary buffets for her friends, staff and Cubby patrons. When the time came to close the destination club and cherished neighborhood bar, Elaine generously gifted the rights to the Cubbyhole name, along with its legendary reputation, to Tanya Saunders (recently deceased), where it still thrives in the Village, on the corner of West 12th and Fourth Street.
In 1983 Elaine opened Crazy Nanny’s, on the former Seventh Avenue South jazz club location. The two-floor space allowed Elaine to support and celebrate the works of many artists, friends and patrons. Nanny’s provided walls for gallery showings and installations, a space for performance art, concerts, cabarets, films and video productions. There were light shows, events, dancing and yes, even mud wrestling competitions. Nanny’s became identified as an international gathering and kick-off location for participants and celebrants in NYC’s annual Gay Pride March.
While sharing a summer place on Long Island’s North Fork, Elaine and Maxine Kessler opened Bonnie’s by the Bay, a rave-reviewed (Newsday, 4-stars) restaurant in the fishing hamlet of New Suffolk. For several summers Bonnie’s delighted lunch and dinner patrons, and a bar where locals played pool and socialized year ‘round.
In 1984, on the heels of Bonnie’s success, Sunset Strip restaurant opened its doors on the corner of Horatio and West Street. Hand painted by the artists whose home was the location for the B52’s Love Shack video, the Strip garnered raves for its colorful decor, and its international tapas themed menu. Dubbed “Hollywood on the Hudson,” it instantly became a popular print, film and party location for hip patrons and eclectic events: Jerzy Kozinski dropped in regularly, RUN DMC’s post SNL party was held there, Gallery openings (Larry Rivers for the Marlboro), Holly Woodlawn’s comeback cabaret, Annie Sprinkle’s graduation party, Raquel Welch’s exercise video - all were Strip hosted events.
During the AIDS health crisis, GLAAD meetings, fundraisers and benefits contributed to raising funds for research and for the grass roots organizations that were providing essential support and comfort to AIDS victims.
If you are tired from just reading about these accomplishments and accolades you can imagine that Elaine was getting tired. Retirement on L.I. beckoned. With several years remaining on her 7th Avenue location lease, she was approached by a two enthusiastic young men whom Elaine trusted and agreed to work with. Upscale re-decorating began but they ran into unexpected plumbing problems... and walked away. Left to shoulder the liability and the legal costs , the courts required Elaine to cover the IRS debt, and put liens on her mortgage-free home, her beloved Sugar Shack.
Despite years as a dependable and excellent tenant, the landlord demanded full back rent and charges for breaking the lease. Elaine paid all the lawyers. Since absorbing those financial blows, Elaine has been quietly trying to manage her precarious financial straits on Long Island for ten years.
During her years on Long Island, Elaine was committed to establishing a gay presence on Long Island, Elaine, Nicke Gourney and Melanie Mitzner organized the first Gay Pride Dance “Out on the Vine” on the North Fork. After hosting benefits to support the North Fork Women for Women Fund (NFWFWF), Elaine served as its President for a year.
We want to rally around our dear and daring friend, who has employed hundreds and empowered thousands.
We recognize that Elaine’s single driving desire has been to create spaces and situations that help others feel happy, safe, welcome and whole,
To celebrate and reward her strength, conviction, ambition and talents, we hope that you are able to also acknowledge and support Elaine by contributing to this fund.
Thank you.
The legendary host, restaurateur and club operator is currently facing considerable health and financial challenges.
Impaired by several surgeries, Elaine’s mobility is compromised. Her economic security was devastated by a business venture betrayal. Isolated and facing looming economic depredation, Elaine’s struggle to manage her affairs has taken a toll on her spirits and outlook.
Ever tenacious and resourceful, Elaine has borrowed against every asset available to her; unfortunately, at this time, even the sale of her cottage will not provide the relief necessary to cover debts, healthcare costs and living expenses.
Elaine needs some help. We wish to help our friend who, fifty years ago, provided inspiration, encouragement and sisterhood for untold numbers of then virtually invisible lesbians. For the next 34 years, her commitment to that underserved community never wavered.
HerStory
At the age of 27, Elaine opened Bonnie and Clyde’s the first lesbian owned dance and dinner club in the Village.
It was 1971, when gay enterprises were historically mafia owned, closeted and subject to police raids.
Holding the view that we were going to be “out,” Elaine prevailed over harassment, naysayers and hecklers.
Bonnie and Clydes (B&C’s) was the first of her several unique establishments where women were free to be: free to express and represent themselves as they wished; free to dress, socialize, romanticize, play, be wild, be political, and be safe.
The cultural impact of Bonnie and Clyde’s on West 3rd Street in the Village resonates to this day. African-American women, long discouraged from frequenting downtown clubs reveled in the inclusive and warm welcome that Bonnie’s extended to women of all colors from all cultures and communities.
B&C’s provided a location for Gloria Steinem and Margaret Sloane, who, over drinks, hashed out the growing pains of the Feminist Movement and Ms. magazine articles. The incipient Lesbian Gay Liberation Movement found a launching pad at B&C’s: a site to meet, discuss, initiate new ideas, support networking, create happenings, fundraisers, theme parties, plan marches and strategize initiatives to achieve community objectives and disseminate political agendas. For ten magical, memorable years, Elaine’s guests danced, sang and celebrated. I know! In 1972 I came out at Bonnie and Clyde’s.
In 1981, when the West 3rd lease was up, Elaine opened The Cubbyhole, a more intimate lesbian destination club on the corner of Hudson and Morton Street, (now Henrietta Hudson.) Inspiring the kind of loyalty that leaders (not bosses), enjoy, Elaine’s hand-picked staff and popular bartenders kept the party going for another decade of fun and celebration.
A hands-on, thoughtful and generous host, Elaine honored various traditional and non-traditional events, replete with treats and swag. Every Saint Patrick’s Day Elaine (a chef in her own right), cooked her famous corned beef and cabbage, and delivered it with warm Irish soda bread to the Cubby. Elaine enjoyed preparing complimentary buffets for her friends, staff and Cubby patrons. When the time came to close the destination club and cherished neighborhood bar, Elaine generously gifted the rights to the Cubbyhole name, along with its legendary reputation, to Tanya Saunders (recently deceased), where it still thrives in the Village, on the corner of West 12th and Fourth Street.
In 1983 Elaine opened Crazy Nanny’s, on the former Seventh Avenue South jazz club location. The two-floor space allowed Elaine to support and celebrate the works of many artists, friends and patrons. Nanny’s provided walls for gallery showings and installations, a space for performance art, concerts, cabarets, films and video productions. There were light shows, events, dancing and yes, even mud wrestling competitions. Nanny’s became identified as an international gathering and kick-off location for participants and celebrants in NYC’s annual Gay Pride March.
While sharing a summer place on Long Island’s North Fork, Elaine and Maxine Kessler opened Bonnie’s by the Bay, a rave-reviewed (Newsday, 4-stars) restaurant in the fishing hamlet of New Suffolk. For several summers Bonnie’s delighted lunch and dinner patrons, and a bar where locals played pool and socialized year ‘round.
In 1984, on the heels of Bonnie’s success, Sunset Strip restaurant opened its doors on the corner of Horatio and West Street. Hand painted by the artists whose home was the location for the B52’s Love Shack video, the Strip garnered raves for its colorful decor, and its international tapas themed menu. Dubbed “Hollywood on the Hudson,” it instantly became a popular print, film and party location for hip patrons and eclectic events: Jerzy Kozinski dropped in regularly, RUN DMC’s post SNL party was held there, Gallery openings (Larry Rivers for the Marlboro), Holly Woodlawn’s comeback cabaret, Annie Sprinkle’s graduation party, Raquel Welch’s exercise video - all were Strip hosted events.
During the AIDS health crisis, GLAAD meetings, fundraisers and benefits contributed to raising funds for research and for the grass roots organizations that were providing essential support and comfort to AIDS victims.
If you are tired from just reading about these accomplishments and accolades you can imagine that Elaine was getting tired. Retirement on L.I. beckoned. With several years remaining on her 7th Avenue location lease, she was approached by a two enthusiastic young men whom Elaine trusted and agreed to work with. Upscale re-decorating began but they ran into unexpected plumbing problems... and walked away. Left to shoulder the liability and the legal costs , the courts required Elaine to cover the IRS debt, and put liens on her mortgage-free home, her beloved Sugar Shack.
Despite years as a dependable and excellent tenant, the landlord demanded full back rent and charges for breaking the lease. Elaine paid all the lawyers. Since absorbing those financial blows, Elaine has been quietly trying to manage her precarious financial straits on Long Island for ten years.
During her years on Long Island, Elaine was committed to establishing a gay presence on Long Island, Elaine, Nicke Gourney and Melanie Mitzner organized the first Gay Pride Dance “Out on the Vine” on the North Fork. After hosting benefits to support the North Fork Women for Women Fund (NFWFWF), Elaine served as its President for a year.
We want to rally around our dear and daring friend, who has employed hundreds and empowered thousands.
We recognize that Elaine’s single driving desire has been to create spaces and situations that help others feel happy, safe, welcome and whole,
To celebrate and reward her strength, conviction, ambition and talents, we hope that you are able to also acknowledge and support Elaine by contributing to this fund.
Thank you.
Organizer and beneficiary
Michael Berkowitz
Organizer
New York, NY
Elaine Romagnoli
Beneficiary