The financial challenges plaguing Gio’s Club and Bar have reached a critical point, sparking some vigorous fundraising efforts in the past few weeks to raise $60,000.

Gio’s is the non-profit clubroom of the Oscar Wilde Memorial Society. The community-owned club has been around since 1982, serving Winnipeg’s lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender community.

Gio’s supports the charity Gio’s Cares, which helps provide food and clothing for people living with HIV/AIDS, in collaboration with organizations such as Nine Circles Community Health Centre, the Health Sciences Centre and Artemis Housing Co-op.

Gio’s Cares also distributes information on prevention, screening and safer sex.

Gio’s needs to raise $60,000 in three months to keep its doors open.

“We talked to the board and the staff to whip our butts in gear, and we started this massive fundraising ‘Save Gio’s’ campaign,” said David Fox, an events co-ordinator at Gio’s.

Fox said they created new ways for people to donate to the club. For example, people can buy and decorate a brick on Gio’s patio for $100.

During their “massive” fundraising weekend, the club hit capacity on Saturday, Sept. 24, and came close on Friday, Sept. 23.

“Ultimately, every penny we get goes back into the community,” Fox said.

Katherine Ballard of the University of Winnipeg’s LGBT* Centre attended the special events.

“ Ultimately, every penny we get goes back into the community.

David Fox, events co-ordinator,  Gio’s Club and Bar

“It seemed very successful,” Ballard said. “There were a lot of young people out there, and it was really good to see. There was a lot of strong support.”

One of Gio’s competitors, Club 200, held its own Love Thy Neighbor fundraiser on Sept. 23. 

Jessica Venom, who hosted the event, said although they are business competitors, the few gay bars in Winnipeg need all the community support they can get.

“If we were in the same condition, I hope they’d do the same for us,” Venom said.

On the other hand, much of Gio’s falling attendance has been attributed to the opening of a new, bigger bar in Winnipeg last year.

“Fame came out, and it was a flashy new thing ... and I think their space is ultimately nicer. They do have a good dance floor,” said Fox.

But he doesn’t see Gio’s as replaceable.

“Fame offers a really great place, great vibe for the weekend, but what about the rest of the week?” Fox said. “A lot of people say Gio’s is kind of like a family. We’re all really close-knit, and I agree wholeheartedly.”

According to Fox, the fundraising push has been successful so far. Obviously, he added, they’re not in the clear yet, but he remains optimistic.

In the long term, Fox believes Gio’s can attract more members by reaching out to every facet of the LGBT community.

“Whether it be the younger crowd, the older crowd, the leather crowd, the lesbian crowd ... we want to let people know we have something for everybody,” he said.

“I think we offer a place for people to be very comfortable in their own skin, whereas there are many other bars and whatnot where some people may not feel comfortable.”

Published in Volume 66, Number 6 of The Uniter (October 5, 2011)