LGBT group says Winooski gay bar should choose new name

The Pride Center of Vermont has taken the formal position that the owner of soon-to-be-opened gay bar in Winooski should change the name he plans for the establishment.

The decision followed a Thursday night town hall meeting in Burlington that board Co-chair Paul Sisson called "productive, informative and painful."

The bar sparked controversy last weekend after Craig McGaughan announced his intention to reopen his wine bar oak45 as a gay bar named Mister Sister. The name McGaughan chose for his new bar has positive associations for some, but others have criticized the choice because they see the term as a slur against transgender people.

About 75-100 people attended Thursday evening's town hall meeting, said Sisson.

"We wanted to find out what the trans community wanted," he said, "and we found out over and over."

Sisson said a lot of painful memories were shared.

"The name has too many negative past associations," he said.

McGaughan did not attend the meeting, though Sisson said he sent a representative. Earlier on Thursday, he sent out a statement saying he had chosen to name his business Mister Sister specifically for its inclusiveness.

"Like all names, Mister Sister will have different associations and interpretations and will be perceived differently by each individual," he wrote.

The Pride Center first delayed taking a stance on the name. Two members of the Pride Center's board stepped down earlier this week, citing the delay.

The board asked members of the media not to attend the town hall event. Some local outlets showed up. Attendees voted to allow reporters with notebooks to stay, Sisson said.

Nicole Higgins DeSmet contributed reporting. Contract Jess Aloe at 802-660-1874 or jaloe@freepressmedia.com