17. Mobsters & Mos: How the Mafia Owned Gay Nightlife

In 1960s New York City, the Mafia needed a place to conduct business without police detection and gay men needed a safe space to socialize without being arrested. The result: the Genovese family ended up controlling the majority of gay bars in Greenwich Village, which was emerging as a gay hub at the time.

In this episode, we’re diving into this unlikely partnership that eventually led to the exploitation of the gay community.

Additional Resources:

• Stonewall Riots: Coming Out in the Streets
• Stonewall Uprising: Why Did the Mafia Own the Bar?
• How the Mob Helped Establish NYC’s Gay Bar Scene
• The Italian Mafia Played a Pivotal Role in the 1969 Stonewall Uprising – But Don’t Call Them Allies
• How the Mafia Once Controlled the New York Gay Scene

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