Queer and safe spaces become even more crucial as LGBTQ+ privileges come under attack and racist occurrences take place. But, in recent months we’ve unfortunately seen and some move and change like.
A number of disturbing homophobic and misogynistic attacks have occurred in the past month. In the most recent issue of Attitude, we asked four members of the community if LGBTQ+ spaces should be a part of the area.
John Sizzle ( he/him ) Former co- owner of The Glory, now owner of The Divine
The entire world was created with flat people in mind, actually. There’s next to nothing designed especially for our society, for our society. After nine years of working on The Glory, I’ve come to realize that locations like these have a role to play in the personal growth of a fresh LGBTQ+ person, whether that be expressing their sense of style, gender, female, or politics.
Individuals get confidence in such areas. This is the definition of SAFE in reality. This is a safe place for you to grow into yourself and enter the challenging, frequently angry, right world with some self-assurance and empowerment. There were literally thousands of bars and clubs for us to visit in late 1980s and 1990s London when I came up and navigated the city, which meant there was always something for everyone. I was not short of an older gay or lesbian to share the ways of the world. It’s not like that now, as spaces are usually combined, and we’re fairly tolerated in because venues like Wetherspoons!
But there’s nothing like a’ gay just ‘ place. Allies encouraged of training— but only if they know their area … and are great dancers.
Kate Butch ( she/her ) Drag queen
When I first got this issue, I thought’ Of course we should discuss LGBTQ+ places with people who are n’t part of the community: we’re all about acceptance and tolerance.’ Cut to two hours later, when I’m sat behind a straight couple making out and talking through Reuben Kaye’s fabulously queer cabaret, and my opinion changed to ‘ Straight people should n’t be allowed in any spaces whatsoever.’ Having slept on it, nevertheless, I think it’s somewhere in between: cis- haar people really n’t been barred from LGBTQ+ places, but they need to realize that they’re friends in OUR properties and should respect that. I believe we also need to know which gay areas require direct patronage.
Our cis-het friends should be welcome to spend their money at our bars and clubs, purchase T-shirts with my face on them, and purchase tickets for drag shows ( please do, I owe a lot to several wine-based subscriptions ), but of course we should n’t let a hen party crash a community center. We, as a society, have visible, substantial support from our allies, but a key characteristic of an alliance is not to overreach and to understand when and where is the right time to offer that help.
Lerone Clarke- Oliver ( he/him ) Roasting inc- leader
No, not all LGBTQ+ areas may become reserved for LGBTQ+ people. LGBTQ+ allies need spaces to love our society, but it’s also important that our community have those spaces. The reality is that transgender people, for example, have a considerably different lived knowledge from gay people. While we all deserve to feel safe, we ca n’t ignore that safety is not afforded to all of our LGBTQ+ siblings. London is a fantastic example of a town allowing its LGBTQ+ area to choose who they welcome into its areas. ROAST, London’s all men- merely monthly club night, which I’m happy to be a co- founder of, works, in part, because it is a space completely from others. We can get our true selves by granting us a space that is reserved for us.
A true alliance should comprehend and appreciate that there are spaces for the community, and also understand why they are n’t given those spaces as well. There should always be LGBTQ+ areas available to all. We are just as diverse in terms of culture and lived practice as our homosexual relatives, and many of us want to take them along for the trip.
Will Rees ( he/him ) Works in an LGBTQ+ bar
As a gay man who works in an LGBTQ+ place, I’ve had this problem posed to me several days. Actually, I think the answer vary. Having excellent allyship from right people is awesome, especially for previously out LGBTQ+ people. However, I’m also equally of the mind that this should n’t be abused. Numerous times, homosexual employees at my place of employment have viewed gay men and trans women as pleasure rather than recognizing the individuality of each location. When combined with substances, the result is usually negative.
A transgender woman has been abused in the bathroom at my office only. Numerous heterosexual people have abused themselves when a gay man approaches them and laughed at gay individuals kissing, hugging, or expressing themselves as they please. I was a target of an event at a LGBTQ+ facility that resulted in the injury of one of my friends, which led to a police investigation. Although I agree that heterosexual people should be allowed to enjoy LGBTQ+ spaces and culture, I also believe that this should n’t be abused.
This characteristic first appeared in Attitude’s March/April problem –.
