featured
Divided
We Stand
Gay people of both sexes have to
face the same homophobic
prejudices. So why is the gay scene
still divided by gender? Marie
Aldridge investigates the
lack of truly mixed venues.
Lesbians and gay men share so many of the only venues or nights were really wanted
same struggles, and yet there seems to be a by the community, they would exist.”
real animosity between them across the gay
scene. Why do lesbians and gay men spend so Wilmien Bros, the promoter of
much time bitching about each other – or simply popular Heaven nightclub in
striving to avoid one another – when their time Vauxhall, agrees with Paul’s
would be more profi tably spent united in the fi ght opinion of lesbian clubs - but
against homophobia? agrees with Tommy that we
should mix more. “Girls and
On the fi rst day I came out, I went clubbing with my guys mix, but somehow
gay friend, Jon. He took me to the infamous G-A-Y lesbians and gays don’t so
club (Astoria), and one of the fi rst things I noticed much. I think we have created a
was the number of gay guys strutting their stuff separateness which is not healthy.
across the dance fl oor, while the lesbians all We have both fought so hard
clustered together in one corner of the club. This to become a part of the world
kind of scene is quite common in mixed gay clubs. that it doesn’t make much sense
to be apart.”
Stereotypically, gay men are only out for casual
relationships and sex wherever and whenever they So, it seems that lesbians and gay
can get it, whereas lesbians want the opposite – to men can’t mix due to both being
fi nd ‘The One’ and settle down. Maybe this is a protective of their ‘turf’. Lesbian
factor in the acrimony. Or could it be down to venues also don’t generate enough
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personal experiences? A handful of my girl buddies money to keep them going on a
have been abused by men in the past and have long-term basis, so the scene is
chosen lesbian relationships as a result. In any case, generally gay male dominated. It
it’s undeniably still a man’s world – maybe it’s as all looks very petty from an
simple as lesbians disliking gay male company out outsider’s point of view, and it
of feminist principle. seems that despite the increasing
popularity of mixed venues such as
Paul Oxley, manager of the well established Popstarz and Ghetto, there will still
Vauxhall Tavern, believes that boy and girl clubs always be problems. Lesbians will
should be kept separate. “Most clubs are dance still complain that there are too
orientated; dancing is sexual, a showing of many queens running around, and
physicality. Dancers therefore principally want to be gay men will still complain that
viewed by prospective sexual partners.” However, there’s a big dyke standing in the way
Paul’s perspective of lesbians is old-fashioned and of his view of the fi ttie he’s been
he isn’t keen on ‘lesbian-only’ bars and clubs. “All trying to attract all night. Sadly, the
lesbians live in Norwood with two cats. It’s been idea that lesbians and gay men come
diffi cult getting them to a club or venue, and I’ve out and enter the world as brothers and
tried. Note the number of lesbian venues. If lesbian- sisters just doesn’t seem to be true.
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