‘Queer venues are safe havens for those who face societal rejection’

For the LGBTQ+ community, queer venues have proven historical safe havens for those who faced societal rejection and played a key role in the birth of drag culture.

London’s G-A-Y staying open during Covid-19 by serving McDonalds to preserve gay camaraderie is just one example that illustrates how essential it is to maintain these queer spaces during the pandemic.

Whilst we wait for the reopening of clubs, perhaps it is time to re-evaluate what the LGBTQ+ community demands of heterosexual treatment around queer spaces.

The gay scene has emerged from the underground into a competitive and lucrative market, attracting huge swathes of gay and straight visitors. This includes Bristol’s most popular gay nightclub, OMG, which saw an increasingly straight demographic through its “OMG Wednesdays” student night pre-coronavirus.

For some, this move to the mainstream represents a stronger solidarity, acceptance and normalisation from heteronormative society, whilst for others this waters down authentic queer culture, and threatens the vulnerable individuals who seek protection here.

LGBTQ+ people are still at risk of abuse and often seek safety in queer spaces. Photo: Jack Joseph

Pre-coronavirus, heteronormativity was rife throughout the club. During my visits, the music of Shakira, Beyoncé and other straight artists flooded the dancefloor, whilst girls getting together were subjected to the appropriating and voyeuristic catcalls of male onlookers.

I often felt like a minority amongst the numerous straight faces I recognised necking off with each other, and it was disappointing at times for a night tailor made for my culture to feel so straight.

Indeed, a stigma remains around frequenting LGBTQ+ spaces. Throughout my time at the University of Bristol, I was dismayed by the number of woke-fishing straight students who had strongly-held reasons for vetoing OMG.

My second-year housemate declared he would hate to reign on the parade of a gay space, whilst later, drunkenly confessing his internalised homophobia to me.

Others claimed the club was “too gay” or that after being hit on by a gay man, they would never return. I rarely saw such passionate cases made against going to Lizard Lounge or Gravity.

Charlie Wright on OMG Bristol, which is located on Frogmore Street. Photo: OMG Bristol

LGBTQ+ individuals are constantly exposed to a normalised and intensely sexual straight club culture we have no identification with, one that can lean into the problematic, such as sexual misconduct and the unchallenged culture of fresher sharking.

As such, it is hypocritical to vilify spaces for LGBTQ+ people to reclaim their wrongfully demonised sexuality as hypersexual.

On straight people in gay clubs, I think the more the merrier, as it can be a pathway to unity, education and de-stigmatisation. However, for those who see OMG as a lifeline or necessary place to evade heterosexual scorn, there needs to be a greater respect in these venues.

On a few occasions, I have unknowingly hit on a straight man. Once the bomb drops I have apologised profusely, only for the man to laugh off the incident and wish me a good night.

Amongst the embarrassment, I found the respect heart-warming. This is kind of demeanour we need at gay clubs. It is joyous to see our straight allies cheering us on in our extroversions, voguing and self-expression.

OMG Bristol should be safe place for queer people, says Charlie. Photo: OMG Bristol

Regardless, when the clubs eventually return, straight and LGBT club-goers will inevitably rub shoulders. If our culture is indeed at risk of being watered down, perhaps it is time to take our gay venues to task.

To demand OMG to exchange Fergie for more left-field queer artists such as Troye Sivan, Kim Petras and Rina Sawayama, to host more LGBT themed events, hire a drag queen DJ, and maybe even incorporate some leather staff clothing!

It is our space, but that does not mean you cannot come. Nonetheless, this time it is not about you. Men will twerk. Trans individuals will be out and proud. Girls will get with each other for their own satisfaction and it will not be an invite for a threesome. This is a culture you must actively support within our clubs, or its queerness will continue to dissipate.

Though I cannot speak for everyone, if you are willing to respect our culture, our unhindered sexuality, and our rejection of the norm, you are more than welcome to come party with us. It’s a bloody good time.

Charlie Wright is a a recent University of Bristol graduate, actor and columnist.

Main photo: OMG Bristol

Read more: Bristol24/7 Student Guide 2020: Being LGBTQ+ in Bristol