
Texas Gay Club Vandalized and Burned Down
DENTON, TX -- Fire officials say a blaze
early Wednesday that destroyed the gay nightclub "Mable Peabody's Beauty
Parlor and Chainsaw Repair" in Denton, Texas, was arson.
"They broke in and took liquor and threw chairs all over the place," said
Ms. Sanders, who has owned the club for 13 years, to The Dallas Morning
Star. "They destroyed the whole bar before they burned it. I wonder if it
could have been a gay-bashing deal. I have no idea."
Denton Fire Marshal Rick Jones said reports of a fire at the club came in
about 5:30 a.m. Fires had been set in more than one place, indicating
arson, he said.
He said some forensic evidence would be tested at a lab. The Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is assisting in the
investigation.
The blaze destroyed Mable's, and an adjoining business, G.C. Starters, was
damaged by smoke. The damage was estimated at $150,000.
Margaret Honeycutt opened the club 27 years ago, Ms. Sanders said. Back
then, she said, it was a brave move to open a club for gay men and women.
Ms. Sanders said she has had no trouble and has no idea who might have set
the fires.
Ms. Sanders said that when she bought the club, she came up with the
unusual name with the help of "a lot of wine." She wants to reopen, she
said, but it's too soon to know what she will do.
"I think I lost my identity along with my business," she said.
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