2. A Questionable Termination: How a Single Email Could Jeopardize an LGBTQ Landmark and My Livelihood
This is Part 2 of a 7-part account of what happened to me — and to others who were directly affected.
It’s based on what we experienced, what we witnessed, and what we remember. When I describe what someone else did, I’m doing so honestly and carefully. I have documentation and support from others for the key parts. I’m not trying to harm anyone — I’m telling the truth about the harm we lived through.
Read Part 1 • Back to Part 3 • Go to Part 4 →
On May 21st, 2025, I received an email appearing to be from Lex Montiel, owner of the SF Eagle. Immediately, it felt off—the language was strange, the formatting unusual, and Lex’s standard email signature wasn’t used. Checking the email header showed it was sent from the SF Eagle Bar itself, but using Apple Mail on an iPhone. Every legitimate email I’ve received from Lex has always come through Gmail.
The email stated simply:
Alberto,
This is to advise that you will not be offered a position with the SF Eagle Bar.
Yet, according to the payroll system (ADP), I’m still listed as “hired and active.” Just yesterday, I was able to access pay stubs, tax forms, and employee handbooks. That’s when it hit me how serious this email could be;it represents false reporting, misclassification, or outright record falsification.
In California, discrepancies like these are red flags for audits by regulators, labor agencies, and the IRS. For a Legacy Business and Historic Landmark like SF Eagle, audits aren’t trivial—they can lead to fines, permit suspensions, or even permanent revocation. A single careless mistake or deliberate miscommunication could jeopardize decades of community effort and undo the critical work done by Lex Montiel, his late partner Mike Leon, Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, Honey Mahogany, and numerous community members who fought tirelessly to secure landmark status.
Established in May 1981, SF Eagle holds immense significance for the LGBTQ and leather communities. It’s officially recognized by San Francisco’s Historic Preservation Commission as a candidate for city landmark status, essential in protecting the bar from the rapid gentrification reshaping SOMA—a neighborhood pivotal to LGBTQ history, even predating the Castro.
I’ve repeatedly tried reaching Lex directly without success. Instead, Randy, who controls the bar’s Google Workspace (the platform from which the questionable email originated), has been the sole responder.
Whether the email was intentional or a genuine mistake, transparency is urgently needed. Community leaders, city officials, and regulators need to step up immediately, find out what is going on, protect this landmark, and uphold the integrity and legacy of the SF Eagle.
This is based on my experience, and on what others who were directly affected went through. Everything here reflects how we saw things happen. When I talk about what someone else did, I’m being honest and careful, sharing what I witnessed or was told. I have documentation and support from others for the key parts of this. I’m not trying to cause harm — I’m telling the truth about harm that happened to me, and to others.
Supporting documents are available upon request.
