From the carnival-like atmosphere of Sunday T-Dance bacchanalia and deep into the fuzzy navels back in the Bear Den, the Parliament house has been an excursion, a home, a habit, a place to find merriment day and night for more than four decades, and, despite a year of wildly varying expectations, it isn’t going anywhere. Whether functioning as a resort for visiting LGBT folks or as a venue for huge productions aimed at the local glee club, the compound rarely disappoints. Part of the reason for that, co-owner Susan Unger says, is that there aren’t any lines in the sand, not even in that sand which sits out back on Rock Lake.
“I think it’s the inclusiveness of everybody,” she says. “Doesn’t matter if you’re gay, straight, bi or trans, you’re welcome here.”
In the past couple of years, there has been much ado about the business’ finances: some true, some not. Late last year, Parliament restructured and refinanced to the tune of $3.9 million.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a financial market like this,” co-owner, and husband to Unger, Don Granatstein says.” This thing is way different than everything. The biggest thing financing and I want to say we’re right there. … and we’re still getting there.”
Granatstein is optimistic, however, that much ballyhooed renovations for the hotel and bars are still on the nearest horizons and that vacation sales – the adjacent Gardens project has been in limbo for some time – are picking up. The transitions in the backroom aren’t really changing the way the iconic LGBT gathering place operates, however, certainly not on the surface. On any given Saturday night, you can find an entire range of flamboyant types and misshapes and models and moms. You won’t find much complaining.
“We work crazy hard to put on a different party every Saturday night. I don’t think anybody realizes what that takes. We plan ahead for months and months. It takes so much planning,” he says. “It’s actually very rewarding, because we get to be known as the best entertainment in town.”
“I think what’s happening is straight people come here and say, ‘Why was I afraid to come here?’” he adds.
What’s also happening is a family affair, Granatstein emphasizes. Though he can’t make it to every event on campus, he tries.
Everybody in his brood chips in, from daughter to wife. And it’s all for the good of the community, he adds, noting all of the charitable events held at the P.
“This is my home, man,” he says. “My whole family lives this place. There are lots of clichés about the Parliament House, but this is truly one big group of people running their home.”
“We’re not on autopilot, of course,” he laughs. “We plan everything.”
