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What
do you reckon to the 'gays only' policy of some Village clubs? Should
gays have their own clubs or should straights be allowed in? What
about Mardi Gras? Has Canal Street still got the right vibe?
It's your Village and this section is all about you and what you'd
like to see, so if you have any suggestions please use the form
below to send them to us.
More comments and submission form
>>>
From
Shaun, Sheffield
I don't understand why some gay people feel straight people in gay
venues are such a threat. Surely, as it's been said already straight
people who go to the vilage are not out to cause trouble, they're
trying to get away from it! You will get attitude whereever you go,
if that be straight or anywhere gay, you will get good people and
bad people irrespective if they are gay/straight/bi. It appears to
me that some people are looking to stereotype, the very thing gay
people themselves hate to see! Now it seems it's on the other foot.
All straight people must be bad news? I
go to alot of places where it's very much a mixed crowd and it works
well. Just because someone in there may be straight doesn't give me
the right to judge them and assume they are out to cause trouble or
taking something away from me, you wouldn't like it if they were doing
the same to you because you were gay. I'll have a great time regardless
who is there, as long as the people that matter to me are there with
me. At the end of the day, a straight persons pound is just valuable
as any gay persons and it seems straight people do bring alot of business
in and should be appreciated just as much as anyone elses. Why would
you want to alienate your straight friends anyway, wouldn't you want
them to go out and enjoy themselves with you, what are you going to
say, no sorry im going to the village tonight you can't come with
us, you're not gay. Are you prepared to do that? once it actually
affects someone you know, maybe this will change your opinion of the
way you want to treat others on this issue. If someone is going to
say I only have gay friends so this doesn't matter, then I find that
alittle sad, friends should be friends, it has nothing to do with
your sexual orientation and so it shouldn't have nothing to do with
wanting a good night out either, why make it an issue when gay people
want to be treated like everyone else. It just makes it harder on
the gay people not the straights!
From
mark wood, manchester
in reply to andy. I think once we can go to a straight club without
anybody batting an eyelid then we will have been accepted and that
will not be the beggining. As for hearing people say they put up with
gays because the village is a safer place to be, well good if thats
what it takes for them to be reconditioned fine, because beleive me
that is what we are dealing with , conditioning. How many times when
you were growing up did you feel insecure ,paranoid and uncomfortable
about your homosexuality, if you are truthfull quite a few , well
thats because you were conditioned by society to veiw homosexuality
as wrong and its no different for a straight person , they beleive
it to be true. hmmm hope this makes sense.
From
Barney, Mnachester
As a recent str8t visitor to the villiage it made a cautiously approched
situation more enlightening. I personaly have no problem with anyone
sexual preferences and found the atmosphere to be the best in town
I felt less tension in the villiage than anywhere I have been for
a long time it made for a extremeley enjoyable evening and I hope
this situation with the minority of thugs is rectified as these imbacieles
are a Minority.
From
Andy in Manchester
Replying to Marks comment "ask yourself what is it that annoys you",
what annoys me is the fact that gays cant frequent straight clubs
without fear of attack. Mark also makes the comment "It is the begining
of our full acceptance into society. ", dont deceive yourself, i've
heard straights at work saying "they go to the village to escape the
ladish ,and violent mentality in the straight clubs, and that they
'PUT UP WITH ' gays being there. When gays can frequent straight clubs
and be open about their sexuality witout anyone batting an eyelid,
THEN you can say this is the start of the acceptance of homosexuality.
From
Lee in Greater Manchester
Most gay and bi peeps that do frequent the village do value the unique
atomosphere of a gay space, and the added bonus for some lies in the
search for a partner. That aside its always good to see straight friends
down the village, complimenting the experience. What we dont want
to see is the crowd from Yates's and places like that crashing to
joint and taking over because its a treny place to go. Girls goto
gay clubs to get away from straight lads with attitude and so do I
!!! I hope it does not get too straight, or if it does I value the
new bars that open with a fresh night out. The first time down the
village for me was one i will never forget, being able to walk in
a room and think, i fit in! im home!
From
Mark Wood, Manchester
HI EVERY ONE Well just a little comment on this whole issue, as you
can see there are lots of points of veiw and all of them valid in
some way . Im not sure what is hoped to be acheived by this. What
I would say is for everyone to take a step back and take a look at
the whole picture. The village has grown from being a cottage situated
on the bridge outside the rembrant to what it is today, a thriving
and diverse gay scene. I see what is happening ,as regards straights
frequenting the village as a vrey important point in time as regards
the history of homosexuality. It is the begining of our full acceptance
into society. YES it is hard and sometimes dangerous but nnothing
compared to 30,40,50,60 years ago. the homosexuals that went before
us, with a courage we will never have to muster, Im sure would be
happy to think it has come to this, straights and gays mixing and
enjoying a night out on equal terms. Maybe the next time we become
frustrated because of a hetero coupl! e ! in our space we should think
hey these guys completely accept homosexuality . also ask yourself
what is it that annoys you, if you find yourself being uncomfortable
and unable to be your gay self then perhaps
the problem lies with you.
From
Andy in Manchester
In reply to Andi's Comment "straight friends i have invited out
and they say partly that they wouldnt feel welcome " , what sort of
reception do you think most gays would get in the majority of straight
clubs in Manchester , if they were to show the slightest indication
that they were gay, ....what would happen in a straight club if 2
gay lads were to start snoggin in the middle of the dance floor (the
same as straights do), there would be a riot.
And in reply to Richards comment, "And what right has ANYBODY to demand
that you state your sexuality in order to gain admittance to a part
of town? ", ....exactly , but no gay man would ever be open about
his sexuality in a straight club, so, in effect we do have enforced
segregation because of the majority of societies attitude towards
gays. Once gays can be open in straight clubs, then i think you might
have a point, but untill that time, we (in effect) cant frequent staright
clubs because our sexuality would not be tollerated, so why should
straights frequent ours?
From
Andi in Manchester
Well i have to say that i do agree with Mark on this, why do we have
to segregate ourselves? I have several straight friends i have invited
out and they say partly that they wouldnt feel welcome and also that
they think it should be for gay people only. In a way thats nice on
there part that they want us to have our own place to go but then,
as much as i loathe shouting out about gay rights and how fab it is
to be gay (yet i am camp as a row of pink tents) surely thats not
equality?
From
Richard in Salford
The village is a safe haven for people of all sexualities, please
let's not spoil it with the assumption of straight=ignorant thug.
It's there to enjoy, and everybody who does so should play their part
ensuring it stays that way. And what right has ANYBODY to demand that
you state your sexuality in order to gain admittance to a part of
town? Can't see it happening myself..
From
Andy, Manchester
" Stop treating being gay as some sort of illness " shouldn't you
be saying that to the rest of society, just because you dont suffer
from the hate the majority of ths population have towards gays, doesn't
mean that people like me shouldn't fight for justice, if we all had
the attitude you have, homosexuality would still be illegal.
From
Mark, Manchester
I am sure that us Gay Lads and Ladies like to blow all the gay 'issues'
out of proportion just to add a little drama! Why do we always have
to make it look as though we are separating ourselves from 'straight'
people some of us like to put across that we are better some how?
I dont live my life based on what a 'gay lifestyle' dictates, i am
not going to go in a bar just because it has a rainbow flag outside,
just as we should not be kicking people out of the village just because
they are straight!! Stop treating being gay as some sort of illness
that means that we need special attention, Get over it!! Its getting
boring!
From
Andy in Manchester
Re Darrens comment "If straight bars and clubs were to turn away gay
people there would be an outcry " , its a shame there isn't an outcry
about the treatment of gays in all section of society. WHEN gay kids
are allowed to be open about their sexuality, and grow up being able
to have open relationships, WHEN adult gays are free to show the same
affection towards their partners as straight couples do in public,
WHEN gays aren't discriminated in all aspects of life, by the media
, by employers , by societies rules...... then i will live and let
live, but untill that happens we have every right to expect a place
where we can feel free and safe...... THE VILLAGE, ....is that too
much to expect ???
From
Darren in Chorlton
Thanks for your comments Andy i felt a little presumptuous. I was
bought up on a council estate and have lived in two estates in manchester,
there always has to be an air of caution about all parts of peoples
lives not just sexuality. I have friends with lebian mothers, gay
brothers, bisexual sisters should they be excluded from the village?
If straight bars and clubs were to turn away gay people there would
be an outcry and similarly if a person was turned away because of
there colour of there skin! The straight people who go to canal st
surely have no problems with peoples sexuality and the tiny minority
that do cant cause that much harm! Live and let live and all that!
From
Graham C in Manchester
The village is being undermined by the hen parties and growing band
of fag-hags that invade on an ongoing basis.We need gay only spaces
and areas free of the above.
From
Mark, Manchester
The Gay Village is great! It's our own little part of Manchester where
we can openly be who we are without fear. To all those homophobes
out there- the Gay Village is ours; it always has been and always
will be- so back off!
From
David in Manchester
I agree with Tom...as soon as my boyfriend I can be treated equally
in a straight venue, I'll be fine with straights in the Village. Bring
back the days when str8s wouldn't have dared go near Canal St !!!
From
Andy in Manchester
Darren, you should try and live on one of the many council estates
in Manchester, i've witnessed gay couples forced from their homes,
and i've lost count of the number of teens i've known that have been
thrown out of their own homes as soon as they have become open about
their sexuality. Daniel , there is a Gay helpline, that operates from
the village, give them a ring, they are very helpfull, the number
is in the phone book, also can be found in the cuoncil A-Z of services.Your
parents may need a little time to accept the news.
From
Darren, Chorlton
Maybe i have a tainted world, i work in the arts (Do my bit for stereotype!)
and i really can be myself and be accepted the same as everyone else.
I am just worried that as a community GLB could be ailinated. There
is indeed some horrific homophobia and maybe im very lucky to have
been safe so far. I am a blinkered guy, does that much abuse really
happen on canal st? I actually find that the only abuse ive seen is
from the gay community itself!
From
Daniel Thornton, Winton, Eccles
I have just come out as being gay and my parents have rejected me.
What can i do?
From
Andy, Manchester
In reply to Darrens comment "if the world was split by sexual preference
it would indeed be a very boring world" . I agree, but the world IS
split, because of societies hatred of anyone not considered to be
the 'norm', and you cant expect the gay community to accept verbal
and physical abuse from a large section of the population and media.
Many gays are forced to live their lives in secret, (myself included),
because the reality is, they would be hounded out and harrassed by
the ignorant masses.
From
Darren in Chorlton
Many gay and lesbian people have circles of friends beyond there sexual
group. I have many gay, lesbian but without a doubt the majority are
straight friends. I spend lots of time on canal street as i think
it is a wonderful place with fabulous bars....but i spend the majority
of time there with straight friends. Why discriminate, weve been fighting
for EQUALITY for too long, surely if the world was split by sexual
preference it would indeed be a very boring world!
From
Ed Jackson in Stockport
i think the village is the best but y do the straight come down and
start haveing a go at us for being our own thing
From
GLT in Chorlton, Manchester
The village is a haven, it's true, but once you've been there a while
it's not hard to get tired of the holy trinity of Cruz, Essential
and Poptastic, (Homoelectric and Homodisco are worth waiting for however)
and then what? It would be nice if we could BE a part of the city
and not just HAVE a part of it. Even on gay-friendly nights elsewhere
(Tiger Lounge, Keep it unreal) you could camp it up, but probably
unwise to do any kissing. Think I'll try the chips with everything
party . . .
From
Andy in Manchester
In response to Jo's comment "Gays need to learn to tolerate hetros
", does that mean we must tolerate their hate and violence, their
gang attacks. You need to take a step into the real world, if there
were gangs of gays armed with knives deliberately targeting straights,
you may have a point, but quite clearly that isn't the case. The tone
of your post clearly shows you have a problem with homosexuals, unfortunately
like the majority of society, which is why a gay only village is the
only way many of us can relax, and escape the daily abuse. In a perfect
world, there would be complete intergration, but thats not gonna happen,
not in our lifetime.
From
Ami in Ellesmere Park, Eccles
I think that the Gay village is a great place. Me and my mates go
their all of the time. I think that to call it the gay and lesbian
village would be a bit long winded, gay also includes lesbians. I
think that it's the best in the country, long live the village.
From
James
Ever feel a goldfish in a bowl? well, thats what i feel like now when
i go aroung the villiage!. If all the straights wish to go out then
why do they have to stop and stare at us like we are freeks? i wish
they had the decency to realise that we are human as well and do not
go around grabbing straight mens arses!(most of them would probably
like it anyway) If i went into a straight pub and started staring
at people especilly men then i would probably get my head kicked in!
so why should it be any different? Straight men should have some respect
From
Samantha in Winton, Eccles
Hi I'm 18 and i've recently come out as a lesbian. My mates are
all straight and i feel that i could no longer socialise with them
if the village banned straight people. It's hard enough with the stick
i get already from other people without my friends having to abandon
me.
From
Shelley in Manchester
I'm a 19 yr old student in manchester, i came out about a year
ago and really want to go out around the village in manchester to
meet some more gay people. but i only have a couple of gay friends
and since we left dance school i don't really see them that much,
and i don't want to go on my own what should i do? pls help!
From
Jo in New Zealand
I sense a bit of hypocrosy here, from some of the contributors. I
mean if we discriminate negatively we are called homophobic, whatever
that means. But now we are being told that maybe hetros can go as
long as they remember its a gay event and behave accordingly , well
it works both ways doesnt it? or has PC become bigger than all of
us. we each may not like the others views , but Gays need to learn
to tolerate hetros in the same way as they themselves long to be tolerated.
From
rachel in manchester
why is everything concerned with being 'gay' only directed towards
gay men. all the photos on 'the village' website are of men. as a
recently outed gay woman (i hate the word lesbian) i feel really left
out of things. it's hard enough being 'different' never mind being
ignored by what is supposed to be a gay friendly website.
Note from the editor:
The Village pages are for all sections of the community. As for the
pictures, I can clearly see a woman in the image at the top of this
page.
From
Julie in Manchester
Are we men or pink mice? Come on people!! It doesn't matter how much
abuse, how many threats, how many fights, we are gay and proud to
be! Walk the streets, hold hands, kiss and be proud to be gay and
lesbian. If we don't show them we are equal, they will never see us
equally!!
From
Norn in Manchester/London
I have been going to village since i came out 4 years ago& in honesty,
it is the best in the country, i can be self with my straight & gay
frineds. The village is our space & we should make it the way we want
it, but we shouldn't exclude other parts of the communety.
From
Andrew in Eccles
I think that straight people should be allowed in the village as long
as they accept that it's a mojority Gay village and there for they
accept the ways of the Majority. I don't think you should punish all
straights for the few ignorant ones. I am straight and i often come
to the village because it's got a nice atmosphere yet now there are
Gay people doing what they have been protesting against themselves
for years.
From
Paula in Manchester
I go to the village every week as all my friends are gay, i love it
there..we have a great laugh especially when we go to essential.I
met my last boyfriend there.Come on Come on Happy people !! From -
paula Email Address - princesspd@o2.co.uk Place - manchester Comment
Comment submitted - I go to the village every week as all my friends
are gay, i love it there..we have a great laugh especially when we
go to essential.I met my last boyfriend there.Come on Come on Happy
people !!
From
Amanda, Manchester
Gay only clubs, you scream for equal rights!! To be treated the same
as heterosexual people (and that i agree with) - but you want more
than that - straights as you refer to us as, coming into a gay clubs
perish the thought. gays only - Isnt that exactaly the sort of attitude
you have been fighting against for so long - slightly hypocritical
From
Andy in Manchester
To M , thats an absolute disgrace, you should have brought it
to the attention of the media and named and shamed them. To change
the subject, when i drive/walk through the village, the place is looking
very dated and tatty now, and is overshadowed by the recent work elsewhere
in the City centre. It needs to revamp itself soon, or the decay will
quickly set in.
From
Tom Jackson
I love the village all the clubs are so cool always full of fit
men i will keep coming down to canal st
From
M in Manchester
While attending a great day out over the mardi-gras weekend we talked
one of our friends into venturing out again after just completing
a course of chemotherapy the day was going great she was really enjoying
herself for the first time in ages,then it happened we were completely
disgusted on entering our LOCAL Bar38 when they decided not to let
her in because i qoute " I dont like the style of your pants" even
though they were willing to let me in with the exact same pants on
but a different colour, so we moved on to keep the peace then to our
amazement we moved next door to Prague 5 and they wouldnt let her
in because she was wearing a hat we explained it was because she had
undergone treatment and she wasnt comfortable taking her hat off in
public but yet again to no avail.I was in total shock and disbelief
that two human beings could have one sick lady feeling so low.Were
all absolutely discraced by this that we ende! d up taking her home
as she wasnt even allowed to use the toilets .I must say as a regular
to the village i didnt know such ignorance could be shown i just hope
my friend gets to see another mardi-gras because this wount be such
a great memory for her .
From
Mark, Manchester
This village is excellent. Really trendy with some fabulous bars.
So much variety - churchills is as different from Tribeca as you could
get but each is cool in its own way. I like the recent introduction
of more rainbow flags outside all the really proactive gay businesses
in the village. As long as it keeps changing the will always be a
gay village in Manchester setting the pace for the rest of the country.
Wayne
Meehan, Manchester
I was annoyed the other week when I went to Essentials only being
told by the door staff that I was not allowed in due the club being
full - this I can understand - but I later found out that the club
was 60% full of straights! Is this fair?
From
Tom, Manchester
As far as gay only venues go, I long for the day when I can hold my
boyfriends hand, hug him or god forbid kiss him on the dance floor
in a straight venue!! Why should I have to tolerate loutish straights
in a gay venue when they won't to tolerate my lifestyle in theirs.
The gay village is for gay folk!!!
From
Lee, Salford
Comment submitted - I agree with what Wayne been saying, is the village
Gay or Straight? Come of think of it, does any bars/clubs have GAY
SECURITY? If so, let us know...
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