Liverpool is developing a gay village, but what will this really add to the lives of gay people in Liverpool? Gay villages began because of persecution, but I would argue that over time they have actually become oppressive rather than empowering. They have created a set of stereotypes for gay and bi people
(NOTE: NOT ALL GAY MEN JUST WANT TO CONSUME ALCOHOL AND GET LAID!)
(NOTE: NOT ALL GAY MEN JUST WANT TO CONSUME ALCOHOL AND GET LAID!)
DOES LIVERPOOL NEED A GAY VILLAGE LIKE MANCHESTER?
NOTE: THIS ARTICLE IS SIMPLY MY INDIVIDUAL VIEW AS A GAY MAN. I DO NOT CLAIM TO BE SPEAKING FOR THE MAJORITY OF GAY PEOPLE
Liverpool is slowly in the process of developing its own gay village.One of the clubs is to be called 'Addictions'! However, I have to ask, does Liverpool need a gay village? Gay villages originally began because people were suffering persecution, so they were a refuge. However, I would argue that far from liberating me gay villages have simply created a set of stereotypes that I have to conform to.
Surely the end goal of gay liberation must be that gay or bi people can go into any bar /club/ shop /cafe, and that in each of these places gay people can be found.
I do not want to go to a 'gay' cafe bar for a coffee, then to a 'gay' hairdresser's to get my hair cut, then to a 'gay' estate agents when I need to buy a house. I want full freedom to go into any bar/ club / venue / cafe / shop/ hotel etc. I do not wish to be ghettoised and subsequently stereotyped.
NOT ALL GAY MEN WANT TO CONSUME AS MUCH ALCOHOL AS POSSIBLE AND THEN GET LAID!!!
WHAT I AM BASICALLY SAYING IS THAT THE MAIN CONCERN OF THESE BUSINESSES IS TO MAKE MONEY; THEIR PRIMARY CONCERN IS NOT THE WELFARE OF GAY AND BI PEOPLE. THEREFORE I BELIEVE THAT TRUE LIBERATION EXISTS OUTSIDE THE GAY VILAGES.
If anyone disagrees with me that is fine, but I have the right to voice my opinion.
James Whitelock
NOTE: THIS ARTICLE IS SIMPLY MY INDIVIDUAL VIEW AS A GAY MAN. I DO NOT CLAIM TO BE SPEAKING FOR THE MAJORITY OF GAY PEOPLE
Liverpool is slowly in the process of developing its own gay village.One of the clubs is to be called 'Addictions'! However, I have to ask, does Liverpool need a gay village? Gay villages originally began because people were suffering persecution, so they were a refuge. However, I would argue that far from liberating me gay villages have simply created a set of stereotypes that I have to conform to.
Surely the end goal of gay liberation must be that gay or bi people can go into any bar /club/ shop /cafe, and that in each of these places gay people can be found.
I do not want to go to a 'gay' cafe bar for a coffee, then to a 'gay' hairdresser's to get my hair cut, then to a 'gay' estate agents when I need to buy a house. I want full freedom to go into any bar/ club / venue / cafe / shop/ hotel etc. I do not wish to be ghettoised and subsequently stereotyped.
NOT ALL GAY MEN WANT TO CONSUME AS MUCH ALCOHOL AS POSSIBLE AND THEN GET LAID!!!
WHAT I AM BASICALLY SAYING IS THAT THE MAIN CONCERN OF THESE BUSINESSES IS TO MAKE MONEY; THEIR PRIMARY CONCERN IS NOT THE WELFARE OF GAY AND BI PEOPLE. THEREFORE I BELIEVE THAT TRUE LIBERATION EXISTS OUTSIDE THE GAY VILAGES.
If anyone disagrees with me that is fine, but I have the right to voice my opinion.
James Whitelock
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Comments
Hide the following 8 comments
I agree
10.11.2003 11:49
Roll on the day when nobody gives a flying toss what you are or where you like to stick it.
This is also why the Prince Charles 'Bummergate' scandal is so irrelevant. Who cares what he gets up to?
Mad Monk
gay rights - an topic for indymedia
10.11.2003 12:16
jab
Not ignorant
10.11.2003 12:57
I was simply *agreeing with James* that gay people are, in the final analysis, PEOPLE and do not need to be patronised/ghettoised by right-on PC arseholes, or exploitative capitalists eager to rake in the "pink pound."
If you disagree - if you think that gay people shoul all huddle together in some "village" and stay away from us "reg'lar folks" (*JOKE*) - then that's fine.
But don't welcome the opportunity for debate on IMC and then, in the next breath, smear me as "ignorant". I'm not and such misrepresentation pisses me off.
An apology is unnecessary but an explanation for your knee-jerk condemnation (other than 'I'm a humourless PC leftie') would be appreciated.
Mad Monk
Space to be.
10.11.2003 15:48
Whilst I agree that gay people should not be in any ghettos,it's sometimes nice to be in
a place that is for LGBT persons. Whether that's a pub,club or a cafe. Many places
don't have anything,not even gay friendly places.We need,perhaps,to develop the latter-
gay-friendly spaces/places everywhere-to assist 'integrating',but also have some LBGT
places too.
I'm in the constituancy (lair) of arch-homophobe Michael Howard. Though there is a
bar that's mostly gay friendly (gay run). There is a need for something more than this
as not everyone like's that place.
Also,as Howard is now the Tory leader I hope to see more demos (pro gay or anything really) locally. There are hardly any activists in the area on anything.
Queen of Kent.
Demo's on anything
12.11.2003 01:31
"something which Howard is at the far right of the spectrum".
Michael Howard should face demonstrations about his views on many aspects of policy, and while LGBT issues might not be the best place to start, we shouldn't let that stop us.
I myself think that specific MP's need a good winding up from time to time. Demonstrations get rather lost in London, unless they are really big. But what about demonstrations in Sedgefield? How many people in Britain trully understand the enormity of the place in relation to British politics? Or rather, who's heard of it. When Blair goes home at the weekend, thats where we should be. And the topic? Anything which we disagree with Blair about.
(Sedgefield is in County Durham, within 2 miles of Jn60, A1M. Folkestone and Hythe are near Dover, at the far eastern end of the M20).
Demo On!!
Rebel W
Queer in Liverpool, but what do I know
12.11.2003 05:04
just a thought,
pi
Pi
TOLERANCE
17.11.2003 19:37
give me healthy loving straight reality anytime...
and get rid of those poppers
TAH
right
19.11.2003 15:14
dan carkner