The devastating fires in Los Angeles, California have claimed 24 lives in a week of destruction wrought across the vast metropolis. On Sunday, a beloved lesbian bar in the Silver Lake neighborhood announced it was another victim of the unprecedented natural and urban disaster.Owners of The Ruby Fruit, a tiny and popular wine bar and restaurant serving the sapphically inclined, said on Instagram, We have come to the heartbreaking decision that at this time, operating The Ruby Fruit is no longer possible due to financial impact from the current natural disaster. Related Conservatives blame LA wildfires on fire chief being gay They dont know what she did, but her being gay, they say, proves that she was a diversity hire. The community gathering spot opened in a small strip mall on Sunset Boulevard in 2023, a rare addition to the declining number of lesbian bars in the United States. At the time, it was the only bar dedicated to LGBTQ+ women in Los Angeles.Honeysat Star Love in East Hollywood opened soon after. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today In 1980, there were 200+ lesbian bars in the U.S. By 2021, that number dwindled down to 24, according to The Lesbian Bar Project. A small resurgence in the last few years included The Ruby Fruit.The name of the bar, created by co-owners Emily Bielagus and Mara Herbkersman, was an homage to Rita Mae Browns 1973 coming-of-age lesbian novel The Rubyfruit Jungle. The devastation felt within our small community, as well as the unfathomable destruction that continues day after day, is truly beyond comprehension, the co-owners wrote. Sadly, along with all the feelings of grief and shock that we have experienced over the last few days, also came this undeniable reality: that running our small business is no longer sustainable.The hospitality industry functions on a day-by-day basis and right now, as they say the math just isnt mathing. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Ruby Fruit (@therubyfruit)At just 500 square feet, The Ruby Fruit had a small footprint, but the bar held outsized influence among its community in its short run. Conde Nast Traveler called its mutable energy unique among similar institutions, with the owners focused on community and a brand of hospitality devoted to every customer.After we opened The Ruby Fruit, we quickly learned that we had to function as not just a restaurant but a community space, Herbkersman told the magazine. The queer community is full of diversity and nuance. We want to create a little bit of space for everyone to feel at home.We try to talk to everyone, Herbkersman said. The Ruby Fruit is so small that you actually can do that.The spot was host to TRANScendent Tuesdays, a gender-expansive mixer, along with other regular programming like Queereoke and queer open mic Verse4Verse Poetry.Crowds often spilled out into the parking lot lining the small mall.For now, Bielagus and Herbkersman are using the space as a donation drop-off and distribution center for victims of the fires.Even as we write this, we have folks filling their cars and driving supplies to area shelters and resource centers. Please keep an eye on this Instagram account for more information regarding that,its farewell Instagram post stated. There isnt much more to say beyond: we love you, LA. We love you, queer fam. We are grateful for the support youve shown us over the past almost-two years.Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.