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Jay Collins was born in 1953 and raised with his five siblings in Beverley, MA. His family owned and managed the Lighthouse Cafe and Fran’s Place for multiple generations. Jay was the most recent owner and manager of Fran’s until its closing in 2016. Tisha Sterling, born and raised in Gloucester, MA was a beloved bartender, manager, and drag performer at Fran’s Place from 1986 to 2016. The two close friends and longtime coworkers exchanged stories about their time at Fran’s. Their interview includes perspectives on the bar’s relationship with the Lynn Police Department, competing bars, AIDS advocacy, the Night of 100 Stars, Drag, and the changing nature of the LGBTQ+ community.
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My parents were behind me one hundred percent.
I started drag at a contest at Fran's.
We started Latino Nights in 1996.
I was bullied in school.
The police would drink at the bar.
I got harassed about dad's gay bar.
Fran's had frequent fires.
Closing was like giving up their home.
The lesbians were the best.
I tried to keep it going.
Mayor Clancy rolled back closing time to 1:00.
The neighborhood was rezoned as residential.
If you call him queer, I'm charging you.
Passers by would throw things at us.
Boats would pull up to the Light House.
We did fundraisers for Councilor Hong Net.
Why do people love drag?
If I acted like that, I'd be dead.
The pride flag is changing.
I came out when I was fourteen.
We did benefits for AIDS, cancer and hospitals.
Fran's had great Saturday dance nights.
Women's bowling leagues came to the Light House.
Dad's priest said they aren't doing anything wrong.
We bought the burned building in 1975.
Gay or straight, it's the place to dance.
I knew so many people.
I cried as I locked the doors.
The clientelle changed with gay rights.
The Lynn police took good care of us.
My parents were always tight with the police.
The newer generation of police are more open.
Who was Joe the cop?
We lost thousands to AIDS.
Our fundraiser was the Night of 100 Stars.
The new language and transitioning are confusing.
It's starting to get a little confusing.
Small fundraisers for people who lost loved ones.
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