The owner of ICandy, Darryl DePiano, confirmed that his voice can be heard using a racial slur in a video circulating today on social media called “ICandy Philadelphia Owner Uses the N-Word.”
DePiano remembered having the conversation three or four years ago, he said. It was posted to YouTube Sept. 27 by an account called “Gay by Gay.”
“That video was a frustrated period, nevertheless it is not excusable,” Depiano said. “I’m not looking to make excuses.”
The video features an out-of-focus shot of a television in the corner of an office. No faces are shown as a voice off camera talks about men who have asked for drink passes. A racial slur is repeatedly used.
“I made a dumb mistake,” DePiano said. “I take responsibility. I’ve grown since then and I will continue to grow.”
He was one of two bar owners to attend a town hall meeting organized in December by Philadelphia Black Pride to address racism in the Gayborhood. The other was from Tabu.
DePiano said he’s thinking of ways to reach out further to the community. A public apology for the video is posted on DePiano’s personal Facebook page. He said an apology will also be posted on ICandy’s page.
Members of Philadelphia’s LGBT community have taken to social media with the hashtag #BoycottICandy and discussed the issue on the Facebook event page for Philadelphia OutFest, which is scheduled for Oct. 9.
Also on Facebook, Josh Schoenwolf, an event producer in the community, wrote that he will host Vocal Olympics tonight at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St., instead of at ICandy, its usual home. He wrote that he is also moving all of his events to other venues.
Last week, ICandy was part of a protest organized by the Black and Brown Workers Collective that also included delivering a letter of demands to the Philadelphia Office of LGBT Affairs.
People left a pair of Timberland boots outside the bar. In the spring, some patrons of ICandy said they had been denied entrance because they were wearing Timberland boots. Many saw it as a way to keep black people out of the bar. Management said a miscommunication with door staff led to the issue, adding there are no brand-specific bans.
Nellie Fitzpatrick, director of the Office of LGBT Affairs, wrote on Facebook that she is “completely disgusted and angry” with the video.