Jewel Thais-Williams, activist and owner of legendary L.A. Black queer bar Jewel's Catch One, has died

Jewel Thais-Williams, a significant figure in the Black LGBTQ+ community, died at age 86. She opened Jewel's Catch One disco in the 1970s, providing a vital space for Black LGBTQ+ individuals amidst discrimination in other venues. Known as a safe haven, the club attracted thousands, including famous celebrities, and remained inclusive for over four decades. Thais-Williams was also an activist against HIV, co-founding the Minority AIDS Project and creating Rue's House and the Village Health Foundation to offer much-needed services to those affected by the crisis.

Thais-Williams opened Jewel's Catch One in the early 1970s, recognizing the need for a specific haven for Black LGBTQ+ people in Los Angeles. With an intention of creating a gay space, Catch One quickly grew to attract 1,300 attendees nightly, including celebrities like Madonna and Janet Jackson. Over 42 years, it became a safe, inclusive home for the Black LGBT community, standing as a testament to Thais-Williams' vision.

Thais-Williams was proactive during the AIDS crisis, co-founding the Minority AIDS Project in 1987 and establishing Rue's House in 1989, providing essential housing and services to women and children affected by HIV or AIDS. She further expanded her care efforts by founding the Village Health Foundation in 2001, focusing on alternative treatment methods.

Read at Advocate.com