Bar opens doors to Mike Jones

Barnes & Noble wouldn’t take him. Borders wouldn’t take him.

But DJ’s Bar and Grill, which proclaims itself Colorado Springs’ “best, fun gay bar,” welcomed Mike Jones for a book signing Sunday afternoon.

Jones brought along 25 hardback copies of “I Had to Say Something: The Art of Ted Haggard’s Fall,” the book the former gay escort wrote about the three-year relationship he says he had with Haggard, the evangelical leader fired as head minister of New Life Church.

Under the neon glow of “Coors Light” and “Blue Moon” beer signs, Jones’ presence drew a small, low-key crowd.

During the first 45 minutes of his appearance, about 10 men sat around the bar nursing drinks while Jones signed a few books and talked to reporters.

Colorado Springs is the 10th city on Jones’ book tour, which began last month in New York City. Initially, he wasn’t scheduled to hold a book signing in the city most rocked by the scandal — major book chains declined, as did Poor Richard’s Bookstore downtown.

One of DJ’s owners thought differently, according to co-owner Jeff Eickman, and wanted to bring Jones to their bar. “We said, ‘Put it together,’” Eickman said.

Jones said he views the refusals as evidence local stores are controlled by religious groups.

“The bookstores and churches should be ashamed for not letting someone with a different viewpoint speak their mind,” Jones said.

People attending Jones’ book signings offer kind words, he said.

“Many have called me a hero, and I have never been comfortable with that,” Jones said.

Others have called him a whore, Jones said in an interview earlier this year.

In November, Jones said publicly that Haggard paid him for sex and took methamphetamine in his presence. Haggard denied the allegations, then resigned as head of the National Association of Evangelicals.

A few days later, New Life officials fired Haggard after confirming some of the allegations were true. In a letter to the congregation, Haggard wrote, “There is a part of my life that is so repulsive and dark that I’ve been warring against it all of my adult life.”

Sunday morning, before going to DJ’s, Jones stopped by New Life Church for a few minutes. People were friendly, he said, and one shook his hand.

Jones’ book-signing events in Seattle, Portland and Denver drew about 150 people each, said the book’s co-author, Sam Gallegos.

Gallegos said he and Jones have been casual friends for 20 years. While working as editor of Denver’s “Out Front Colorado” gay newspaper, Gallegos said he copy edited Jones’ advertisements for “full body massage,” not knowing exactly what that meant.

Gallegos and Jones settled on a book deal about a month after the Haggard story broke.

“I like to kid that I’m the only man that spent that much time with Mike and didn’t pay for it,” Gallegos said.

Jones’ next signing is 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Pikes Peak Gay and Lesbian Community Center, 2508 E. Bijou St. Jones also may stick around next weekend for the center’s PrideFest activites, he said.

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0274 or jennifer.wilson@gazette.com