Kim Deacon Collection

Kings & Queens was a gay bar at 285 Front Street in Woonsocket in operation from 1977-2002. It was opened by Rita Paux (1922-2015) and operated by Kim Deacon (1951- ) from that time until it closed in 2002. Rita had owned and operated several bars in Woonsocket including opening the Palm Garden in 1945 in the back room of a boxing ring. In 1968, she opened the Lincoln Inn and then the High Street Cafe before opening Kings & Queens in 1977. The bar was operated by Kim Deacon who purchased a residential property behind the bar for Rita to live in during her retirement. Kim Deacon (1951-) is a lifelong resident of Woonsocket, R.I. She is a community activist, martial arts instructor and was the long-time manager of the Kings & Queens, Kim and Rita Paux were close friends and chosen family members after meeting when Kim began dating the daughter of Rita’s partner. Rita called Kim her daughter and Kim referred to Rita as her “step-father”. Together, the two women created a safe haven for members of the LGBTQ+ community to express themselves. Kings & Queens included a bar and small dance floor. During her time operating the bar, Kim increasingly added annual events and holiday parties, fundraisers, and drag shows as well as regularly scheduled evenings for live entertainment, karaoke, darts, card games, and movie nights. In addition, she created social opportunities for LGBTQ+ people including bowling, softball and flag football leagues, bi-annual picnics at Lincoln Woods and seasonal roller skating nights at a local rink.