Movies

Jewel Thais-Williams, founder of beloved Black queer nightclub Jewel’s Catch One, dies at 86

BBG News

The founding mother of the groundbreaking Black lesbian and queer club, Jewel’s Catch One, based in Los Angeles, has passed away at the age of 86 – Jewel Thais-Williams.

It was reported by KTLA, as well as multiple friends and staff members of the club, that Thais-Williams had passed away. The reason for her death was not initially disclosed.

For many years, The Mid-City nightclub, affectionately known to us regulars as The Catch, stood proudly as Los Angeles’ revered haven for Black queer women, and a warm, inclusive space for trans, gay, and musically daring partygoers. Artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Madonna, and Whitney Houston graced our winding corridors, while Thais-Williams, an unyielding force, battled against police harassment and spearheaded care programs during the peak of the AIDS crisis – a testament to her resilience.

The Catch played a pivotal role in shaping Black and LGBTQ+ nightlife scenes in Los Angeles, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with iconic clubs like New York’s Paradise Garage and Chicago’s Warehouse when discussing the most influential nightclubs across the United States.

In a 2018 interview with The Times, Thais-Williams expressed that the community was like a family to him. He admitted that he was generally solitary and harbored apprehensions about revealing his identity or his family discovering his true self. However, he found a sense of belonging in this community.

Thais-Williams, born in Indiana in 1939, established Jewel’s Catch One in 1973. She didn’t initially aim to open a nightclub that would become iconic across generations, but rather a business more durable than her previous dress shop. However, her personal experiences of being excluded as a Black woman from other local gay clubs in L.A. fueled her determination to create a welcoming space for those who had traditionally been marginalized within the L.A. nightlife scene.

In 1992, I didn’t envision this venture as a community hub, but it evolved into one over time. It traces its roots back before the AIDS crisis and the riots, long before. The turning point for me was realizing the business could be more than just a bar, and I felt a responsibility towards the community.

Back then, Black LGBTQ+ individuals were frequently carded, or asked to provide multiple IDs, just to enter white clubs. I fought for them, even though I wished they could frequent my establishment every night.

The goal is to move around freely, free from bothersome encounters. While progress has been made, the predominantly male and white LGBTQ+ community continues to face discrimination, albeit less than before.

Music

When nightclub pioneer Jewel Thais-Williams took over the building at 4067 W.

Jewel’s Catch One was a West Coast equivalent of Studio 54 during the disco era, attracting legendary performers such as Donna Summer, Chaka Khan, Sylvester, Rick James, and Evelyn “Champagne” King who captivated crowds. Notable figures like Sharon Stone and Whoopi Goldberg frequented the events, appreciating the chance for uninhibited nights out, away from the Hollywood paparazzi.

Thais-Williams “provided an entrance for countless individuals,” stated Nigl, also known as “14k”, the manager, doorman, and limousine driver at The Catch for 27 years until its sale in 2015. “Many people who felt unwanted in West Hollywood had no place to turn. However, once they learned about her, word spread quickly. She was an amazing friend and a savvy businesswoman who enabled individuals to simply be themselves.

In this establishment, various spaces catered to a diverse nightlife experience, encompassing strip shows, card games, jazz piano performances, along with DJ sets and live bands. Additionally, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings were held there. Inside, the environment was vibrant, welcoming, and particularly appealing to Black queer partygoers. However, outside its doors, there was a persistent watchfulness, regulation, and sometimes harassment.

In 2018, Thais-Williams stated that there were restrictions on same-sex dancing and women were not allowed to tend bar unless they owned it. The police were making arrests for any behavior even slightly suggestive of homosexuality. They would enter with guns, claiming to be searching for someone in a white T-shirt, merely as an excuse to patrol the area.

In 1985, a fire severely damaged the upper level of the building, causing it to be shut down for a period of two years. Thais-Williams harbored suspicions that property developers were eyeing her building as a potential target for gentrification.

She emphasized the significance of preserving our longstanding businesses, explaining, “Visible businesses can motivate others to start their own ventures. I’m committed to success, and if I should ever face failure or transition, I wish for my business to be passed on to Black entrepreneurs who share my passion for maintaining a strong economic presence within this community.

Entertainment & Arts

Gathered outside a stucco nightclub on Pico Boulevard, near Crenshaw, were groups of people adorned in sequined gowns and leather coats, sporting hairstyles such as afros and high-tops, sometimes forming lines that curved around the block.

Thais-Williams significantly contributed to the fight against AIDS during its darkest times, particularly impacting queer communities of color who were severely affected. She co-created the Minority AIDS Project and sat on the board of the AIDS Project Los Angeles, where she helped deliver HIV/AIDS care, prevention programs, and policy initiatives.

As a passionate advocate for health and equality, I, alongside my partner Rue, established Rue’s House – one of the pioneering residential facilities in the United States catering to women bravely battling HIV. Over time, this safe haven transformed into a sober-living home, offering refuge and support to countless individuals. In the year 2001, I took the reins and founded the Village Health Foundation – an organization dedicated to tackling chronic diseases disproportionately affecting the Black community, with a strong focus on healthcare and education.

Marquita Thomas, a member of the Christopher Street West board, stated that Jewel is an authentic embodiment of leadership within our community. She chose Jewel to lead the Pride parade in 2018 due to her relentless commitment, which has significantly improved the lives of numerous LGBTQ minorities. Her unwavering devotion to enhancing our community is nothing short of inspiring.

For over four decades, Thais-Williams managed a large nightclub that was starting to see fewer visitors and had high operating costs. In 2015, he sold the venue to nightlife businessman Mitch Edelson. Today, this club, now called Catch One, still hosts rock and dance events as planned by Edelson. It’s worth noting that they are preparing a memorial for Thais-Williams.

In 2015, Thais-Williams expressed to The Times that people nowadays seem to lack respect for their own institutions. He suggested that our attention spans are so short that we get bored quickly and move on to the next new thing. He also mentioned that younger generations have become more open-minded, attending places where both straight and non-Black individuals socialize, and as a result, traditional gay nightclub scenes have changed significantly.

Following the sale, the significance of the club became more apparent. A 2018 Netflix documentary titled “Jewel’s Catch One,” produced by Ava DuVernay’s company Array, brought attention to The Catch’s influence on Los Angeles nightlife and the broader music scene during that time. When Thais-Williams sold it, The Catch was the last Black-owned queer nightclub remaining in the city.

In 2019, the square outside of Jewel’s Catch One was officially named for Thais-Williams.

Archives

I didn’t come into this business with the idea of it becoming a community center.

At the ceremony, City Council President Herb Wesson praised Jewel, saying “She created a sanctuary at Catch One for young black individuals who identify as queer, often marginalized and excluded even in their own homes. This action transformed countless lives.” He further added, “Jewel has more than earned the distinction of being the first Black lesbian woman to have a dedicated square in the city of Los Angeles, not just because of this achievement, but for numerous other reasons as well.

The vibrant nightlife of Los Angeles’ LGBTQ+ community is still grappling with the effects of the pandemic, economic factors, and shifting preferences among young queer individuals. However, Thais-Williams’ determination to establish and maintain a sanctuary for her community will echo profoundly through future generations.

Jewel Thais-Williams is being celebrated by Jasmyne Cannick, organizer of South L.A. Pride, for creating generations of Black queer joy, safety, and community. She didn’t just make a way – she ensured it remained open, allowing people like this Gen-X Black lesbian to pass through. There are numerous young Black LGBTQ+ individuals in Los Angeles who are flourishing without fully realizing they’re walking through doors Jewel painstakingly constructed.

Even before Pride marches were backed by corporations and trending on social media, Jewel was pioneering a place for us to congregate, dance, mobilize, recover, and just be ourselves,” Cannick added. “She deserves more gratitude than we could ever return.

Thais-Williams is survived by her wife and partner for 40 years, Rue.

Read More

2025-07-09 03:31

Previous post Umamusume: Pretty Derby Beginners Guide and Tips
Next post Legendary Angel Witch bassist Kevin Riddle is dead at 68: Influential heavy metal artist was battling cancer