LGBT History Month: Gay bars are refug for all says Canterbury's Lim Lounge and Tha's The Sundowners

Contents:

• THE BEST KENT GAY CLUBS & BARSGAY CLUBS & BARS KENT
• LGBT HISTORY MONTH: VENU KENT CLUDG SUNDOWNERS AND COYOT AND THE RUPL DRAG RACE STARS THAT HAVE APPEARED THERE LAOISE GALLAGHER PUBLISHED: 05:00, 09 FEBARY 2022  | UPDATED: 18:58, 10 FEBARY 2022   | | | --> DPE THE CHANGG TIM, GAY BARS REMA A REFUGE FOR ALL SORTS OF PEOPLE WHO MAY BE IGHTENED TO REVEAL THEIR SEXUALY A NVENTNAL SETTG, OR DON'T WANT TO GO TO A PUB WHICH ULD BE FULL OF ROWDY REVELLERS.WH MANY ARGUG KENT IS NOTICEABLY SHORT OF SUCH VENU WE'VE PUT TOGETHER A LIST OF LGBTQ+ IENDLY BARS ACROSS THE UNTY OFFERG EVERYTHG OM KARAOKE TO DRAG PERFORMANC.RUPL'S DRAG RACE UK STAR SRLETT HARLETT AT THE SUNDOWNERS. PICTURE: THE SUNDOWNERSBOTH OF KENT'S RUPL'S DRAG RACE UK STARS HAVE SAID THE UNTY IS SHORT OF "QUEER VENU".WNER KRYSTAL VERSACE OM TUNBRIDGE WELLS TOLD : "I REALLY WANT TO E BACK TO KENT, I JT THK NEEDS MORE VENU."IT NEEDS MORE QUEER CULTURE, YOU KNOW? "THEY NEED TO JT CHANGE THGS UP A B AND TWEAK A FEW THGS."SOME VENU ARE NOW STARTG TO GROW A SIGNIFINT REPUTATN WH THE MUNY, BOOKG STARS OM ACROSS THE UNTRY TO SELL TICKETS.THE SUNDOWNERS IS THE ONLY GAY BAR THA. PICTURE: SUNDOWNERSSUNDOWNERS, MARGATE THE SUNDOWNERS BAR MARGATE IS CURRENTLY THE ONLY GAY BAR THA.THEY REGULARLY HOST DRAG PERFORMANCE EVENGS AND IS THE HUB OF ALL FTIVI DURG MARGATE PRI. RECENTLY, THE SUNDOWNERS HAS HOSTED PERFORMANC OM TERNATNAL STARS LIKE BAGA CHIPZ AND CHERYL HOLE.IT WAS ALSO FEATURED ON NETFLIX'S I LIKE TO WATCH UK TOUR.DUNN BAYL WH A DRAG PERFORMERDUNN BAYL, 60, WHO NS THE SUNDOWNERS SAID: "BARS ARE A LOT MORE THE OPEN NOW. IN THE PAST, BARS WERE HELD UNRGROUND."YOU HAD TO PH BUZZERS OR KNOW SOMEBODY TO BE ABLE TO GET TO THEM."WE AIM TO CREATE A SAFE SPACE FOR EVERYONE REGARDLS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATN A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE N BE WHO THEY ARE AND FEEL SAFE "WE OFFER A WARM WELE TO EVERYONE AND AS ONE OF ONLY A UPLE OF LGBTQ+ BARS KENT WE PLAY AN IMPORTANT PART OUR MUNY."THROUGHOUT LGBTQ+ HISTORY MONTH THEY HAVE PERFORMANC OM LOL PERFORMERS, DRAG STARS DIVA DE CAMPO AND SUM TG WONG AND THIS MONTH WILL SEE THE RETURN OF THEIR SUNDAY ROAST DNERS.THE LIM HAS JT REVEALED A NEW LOOK FOLLOWG A RENOVATN. PICTURE: THE LIMTHE LIM, CANTERBURY THE LIM LOUNGE ON ROSEMARY LANE CANTERBURY IS A RETRO GAY BAR WH RABOW BRANDG ACROSS THE ONT OF THE BUILDG AFTER A RENOVATN LAST MONTH. THE BAR IS WELL-KNOWN ACROSS THE UNTY FOR CKTAILS AND KARAOKE NIGHTS - OWNERS MIKEY AND ANTHONY ADVERTISE "GAYAOKE" REGULARLY ON THE FACEBOOK PAGE.HOWEVER, HAS AT TIM BEEN SUBJECT TO ABE, WH A AD PIGEON THROWN THROUGH THE DOOR AND THREATS OF AN ARSON ATTACK.ANTHONY SAYS BARS LIKE HIS ARE "A REFUGE TO EVERYONE WHO IS AAID TO E OUT" BUT THEY N KNOW THEIR SECRET WILL BE SAFE WH BAR STAFF.OWNERS MIKEY AND ANTHONY HOPE TO BE A REFUGE FOR THE MUNY. PICTURE: THE LIMANTHONY IS HOPEFUL FOR THE FUTURE, AS GAY BARS EVOLVE WH THE CHANGG TIM.HE SAID: “THE GAY MUNY IS NOT GOG BACK, THEY’RE GOG FORWARD BEE WE’RE GETTG BRAVER."I'VE WORKED HARD THIS DTRY FOR A VERY LONG TIME, 'S NICE TO KNOW THE BARRIERS ARE BREAKG DOWN AND PEOPLE ARE ENJOYG THEMSELV."ANYONE WHO LIK THE GAY MUNY IS WELE”THE BAR IS OPEN OM NOON EVERY TUDAY THROUGH TO SATURDAY AND OM 5PM EVERY SUNDAY.KENT'S NEWT GAY BAR DARTFORD. PICTURE: HUFFLER'S ARMSHUFFLER'S ARMS, DARTFORD THE HUFFLER'S ARMS ON HYTHE STREET DARTFORD IS THE UNTY'S NEWT GAY BAR, OPENG AS AN LGBTQ+ VENUE JANUARY.THERE'S A HOST OF DRAG QUEEN SHOWS, EDY OPEN MIC NIGHTS AND OTHER EVENTS THE WORKS, ADDN TO THE VENUE'S UAL BILLG.SOME STAFF ARE MEMBERS OF THE LGBTQ+ MUNY, WHILST OTHERS ARE ALLI AND HAVE THROWN THEIR SUPPORT BEHD THE CHANG.GENERAL MANAGER CHRIS LEER, 34, SAID: "WE WERE JT DISCSG NEW OPTNS FOR THE PUB GOG FORWARD AND IF WE MA TO SOMETHG THAT ISN'T AROUND THIS AREA AND WHAT WE THKS THIS AREA NEEDS."THE PRI BAR WILL HOST A VALENTE'S DNER. PICTURE: HUFFLER'S ARMSCHRIS NTUED: "WE WANT TO KEEP AS THE MUNY PUB THAT IS AND STILL OFFER EVERYTHG THAT WE OFFER NOW BUT JT HAVE THAT AS THE SAFE HUB WHERE THE LGBTQ+ MUNY WILL FEEL SAFE.""WE ARE REALLY HAPPY, ALL THE STAFF ARE ON BOARD AND ALL THE LOLS ARE ON BOARD AS WELL."A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE REACHED OUT TO , CLUDG NEW CTOMERS THAT ARE VERY HAPPY."THE HUFFLER'S ARMS WILL HOST VAR EVENTS THROUGHOUT LGBTQ+ HISTORY MONTH, CLUDG A S DOWN VALENTE'S DAY DNER THE PRI BAR.SCE THE REOPENG THE BAR HAS BEEN A HUGE SUCCS AND THEY ARE READY TO NTUE THE "BIG PRI PARTY".THIS LGBT+ NIGHTCLUB IS OPEN UNTIL 4AM. PICTURE: COYOTCOYOT, CHATHAM NEW ROAD AVENUE CHATHAM IS HOME TO THE GAY NIGHTCLUB COYOT.THE LATE NIGHT VENUE IS A SMALL BUT TABLISHED BAR FOR THE LGBTQ+ MUNY AND IS THIS YEAR CELEBRATG S 14TH BIRTHDAY.IT IS A BLAST OM THE PAST AND JT LIKE DUNN BAYL OM THE SUNDOWNERS MENTNED, IS PLETELY UNRGROUND, WH A STAIRSE TAKG YOU DOWN TO THE ONT DOOR.COYOT IS ONLY OPEN ON FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS BUT DON'T CLOSE UNTIL 4AM SO IF PERFECT FOR THOSE WHO LIKE TO PARTY UNTIL SUNRISE.THE SHIP INN HAS OVER 500 YEARS OF HISTORY ON ROCHTER HIGH STREETTHE SHIP INN, ROCHTER THIS PUB HAS A LONG HISTORY, STANDG FOR 500 YEARS ON ROCHTER HIGH STREET AND IS THE OLST GAY BAR MEDWAY.IN PLACE OF THE TRADNAL ST GEE'S FLAG MANY BEER GARNS, THIS PUB CELEBRAT S HISTORY WH A RABOW FLAG PRI OF PLACE.FOR THOSE WHO ARE A FAN OF HISTORY, THE PURPLE DANCE BAR WAS THE SE OF THE FIRST ARRT AND NVICTN FOR BUGGERY WAY BACK THE DAYS OF HENRY VIII.NOT ONLY IS THIS A GREAT PUB TO ENJOY A QUIET DRK WH IENDS, BUT THEY ALSO SERVE TRADNAL ENGLISH FOOD H OM THE KCHEN EVERY DAY.DRAG STAR ELLA VADAY PERFORMED AT THE CUBAN, PICTURE: GLTERBOMBTHE CUBAN, CANTERBURY (GLTERBOMB NIGHTS) THIS CANTERBURY BAR IS CREDIBLY POPULAR WH STUNTS, BUT HAS RECENTLY BEE HOST TO GLTERBOMB NIGHTS.TOKYO TEA ROOMS WAS PREVLY OCCUPIED EVERY TUDAY BY THE EXTERNAL PANY WHO PUT ON LGBTQ+ CLUB EVENTS.HOWEVER, THEY HAVE RECENTLY CHANGED LOTN AND NOW THE CUBAN IS TAKEN OVER EVERY TUDAY WH DRAG PERFORMANC AND THE GLTERBOMB DANCERS.FANS OF A GLTERBOMB NIGHT OUT WILL ALSO BE PLEASE TO HEAR THAT GLTERBOMB THE PARK IS SET TO RETURN TO MOTE PARK THIS SUMMER AFTER A SUCCSFUL BUT LAST YEAR.MU MU HAS TWO RINT DRAG QUEENS PROVIDG ENTERTAMENT. PICTURE: THE MADAMEMU MU: THE LNDRY ROOM, MAIDSTONE AGA, MUCH LIKE THE CUBAN, MU MU MAIDSTONE DON'T BRAND SELF AS A GAY BAR BUT IS VERY LGBTQ+ IENDLY.THE LNDRY ROOM IS HOME TO RINT DRAG QUEEN MADAME MUMU WHO HOSTS BGO AND BNCH - SHE IS ALSO THE DJ THE UPSTAIRS ROOM ON CLUB NIGHTS.THEY HAVE RECENTLY ADD ANOTHER DRAG QUEEN TO THE BOOKS - SHEBERT DIP NS KARAOKE EVENGS ON THURSDAY AND SUNDAYS NELLIE GERKS (THE IRISH PUB OWNED BY THE MU MU BRAND).MANY OF THE LGBTQ+ EVENTS ARE TICKETED, BUT THE UPSTAIRS ROOM ON CLUB NIGHTS IS EASILY ACCSIBLE THROUGH THE LNDRETTE ENTRANCE. --> KENT WHAT'S ON NEWS LAOISE GALLAGHER _PLUGMANAGER.SETTARGETVALUE("ARTICLEID", "262088"); FOLLOW MOST POPULAR
• THE BEST ISLE OF THA GAY CLUBS & BARSGAY CLUBS & BARS ISLE OF THA
• LGBT HISTORY MONTH: GAY BARS ARE REFUG FOR ALL SAYS CANTERBURY'S LIM LOUNGE AND THA'S THE SUNDOWNERS SOPHIE BIRD PUBLISHED: 06:00, 08 FEBARY 2020  | UPDATED: 15:38, 08 FEBARY 2020   | | | --> THE OWNER OF A GAY BAR HAS SAID WE SHOULDN'T NEED TO HAVE THEM THE 21ST CENTURY, BUT THEY HAVE BEE A BEAN OF ACCEPTANCE TO MANY RECENT YEARSPARENTS OF LGBT+ CHILDREN KENT ARE NOW G THEM FOR ADVICE. DPE THE CHANGG TIM, THE BARS REMA A REFUGE FOR ALL SORTS OF PEOPLE WHO MAY BE IGHTENED TO REVEAL THEIR SEXUALY A NVENTNAL SETTG, OR DON'T WANT TO GO TO A PUB WHICH ULD BE FULL OF ROWDY REVELLERS.VISORS ALL DRSED UP AT THE SUNDOWNERS OWNERS OF GAY BARS HAVE BEEN AT THE FOREONT OF THEIR MUNY MOVG OUT OM BASEMENTS AND NOW THEY ARE SENTIALLY THE SAME AS ANY OTHER PUB. DUNN BAYL, 59, WHO NS THE SUNDOWNERS THA, SAID: "BARS ARE A LOT MORE THE OPEN NOW. IN THE PAST, BARS WERE HELD UNRGROUND. YOU HAD TO PH BUZZERS OR KNOW SOMEBODY TO BE ABLE TO GET TO THEM."NOW WE'RE QUE HAPPY TO ADVERTISE WE ARE A GAY BAR, WHICH IS A BIG STEP FORWARD. WE WILL FLY OUR FLAGS SO PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF WHAT WE ARE."ANTHONY BUTCHER, WHO NS LIM LOUNGE CANTERBURY, SAYS A BIG CHANGE HE HAS NOTICED IS HOW EQUENTLY PARENTS E TO HIS BAR LOOKG FOR ADVICE ON HOW TO REACT TO THEIR LGBT+ CHILD G OUT.THE 57-YEAR-OLD SAYS THIS HAS BEE LIKE A EE SERVICE THE BAR PROVIS, WH FAI OFTEN VISG MONTHS LATER TO THANK THEM.TONY BUTCHER, LIM LOUNGE: "SCE I'VE BEEN ME TO KENT, I'VE NEVER BEEN HAPPIER. I LOVE DOWN HERE NOW, 'S PART OF MY LIFE, 'S WHERE I SHOULD BE AND PROBABLY DIE DOWN HERE."HE ADD: "WHEN WE FIRST GOT HERE, WE HAD A GENTLEMAN WHOSE SON WANTED TO BE A WOMAN. HE ME DOWN HERE AND HE WAS TEARS WH HIS WIFE. HE WAS ASKG MY ADVICE AND I JT SAID TO HIM YOU'VE GOT TO GO WH THE FLOW AND SEE HOW GO. "NOW, THE LAD - WHO IS NOW A LADY - IS VERY HAPPY AND THE PARENTS HAVE ACCEPTED AND THEY POP EVERY NOW AND AGA.”ANTHONY SAYS BARS LIKE HIS ARE A REFUGE TO ALL, CLUDG CELEBRI, VIRS, POLICE, ARMED FORC, URT WORKERS AND ERNMENT WORKERS, WHO ARE AAID TO E OUT BUT KNOW THEIR SECRET WILL BE SAFE WH BAR STAFF.DUNN BELIEV AN IAL WORLD WE SHOULDN'T NEED GAYS BARS. HE ADD: "IF A MAN WANTS TO HOLD HANDS WH A MAN OR WOMEN WANT TO HOLD HANDS, THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO GO ANYWHERE. WE'RE THE 21ST CENTURY, NOT THE 1800S."EVEN PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT LGBT+ ENJOY THE SAFETY OF A GAY BAR AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO ROUGHER BARS. ANTHONY SAYS STRAIGHT WOMEN OFTEN VIS HIS BAR AS A WAY OF AVOIDG MEN HTG ON THEM AND TO BE A PLACE WHERE THEY FEEL RPECTED.THE SUNDOWNERS OFTEN HOLD DRAG IDOL PETNS, HAVE DRS UP EVENGS AND QUIZ NIGHTSDISABLED AND VULNERABLE PEOPLE WILL ALSO VIS THE BARS BEE OF THEIR REPUTATN FOR BEG ACCEPTG TO ALL. ANTHONY ADD: "IT'S NOT JT A TO MAKE MONEY. IT'S A REFUGE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE A B IGHTENED, SOME OF G OUT AND SOME OF THEM ARE OLR PEOPLE WHO ONLY E OUT LATER LIFE."THE BAR OWNERS ALSO SAY SOME OF THEIR CTOMERS E TO THE BARS FOR THE UNIQUE ENTERTAMENT, SUCH AS DRAG ACTS, FANCY DRS NIGHTS, MICIANS AND A RANGE OF GS - A VARIETY WHICH THEY SAY MOST PUBS NOW LACK. LOOKG BACK FOR LGBT+ HISTORY MONTH, GAY BARS HAVE SEEN A WARMER WELE THE GENERAL MUNY THE PAST FEW S. BUT NOW MANY ARE CLOSG DOWN ACROSS THE UNTY. DUNN REMEMBERS THREE WHICH WERE ONCE OPEN THA AND CANTERBURY HAS SEEN FOUR OTHERS CLOSE DOWN. LIME’S LOUNGE AND THE SUNDOWNERS ARE NOW THE ONLY GAY BARS THOSE AREAS.VISORS ENJOYG A DRK AT THE LIM BARTHE SUNDOWNERS OWNER HAS A THEORY AS TO WHY MORE BARS ARE CLOSG DOWN.HE SAID: "THE ST OF RENTS AND BS TAX RAT HAVE CLOSED A LOT OF THEM DOWN. BUT ALSO PEOPLE E SOCIAL MEDIA TO MEET MORE AND I THK THAT HAS A BIG BEARG."WHEREAS, GOG BACK, THERE WAS NO SOCIAL MEDIA, THERE WERE NO DATG APPS. SO PEOPLE ED TO HAVE TO GO TO A GAY BAR TO MEET ANOTHER GAY PERSON."THE 59-YEAR-OLD BELIEV THIS HAS IMPACTED THE STRAIGHT DATG WORLD AS WELL, BUT HS GAY BARS MUCH MORE BEE OF HOW SENTIAL THEY WERE FOR LGBT+ PEOPLE TO FD OTHERS LIKE THEMSELV.HOWEVER, NEHER OF THE OWNERS BELIEVE GAR BARS ARE GOG TO DIE OUT AS THEY STILL OFFER A SPACE PEOPLE NEED.TONY BUTCHER, OWNER OF LIM LOUNGE: “ANYONE WHO LIK THE GAY MUNY IS WELE.”ANTHONY AND DUNN HAVE BOTH NOTICED A RECENT RISE HOSTILY TOWARDS LGBT+ PEOPLE AND SAY HAS HAD A PART TO PLAY THE CLOSG OF SOME OF THE BARS.DUNN SAID: "I THK THERE IS FELY MORE ACCEPTANCE, BUT THE WORRYG TREND IS AT THE MOMENT WE HAVE AN CREASE HOMOPHOBIC ASSLTS THE UNTRY. IT'S FELY GONE BACKWARDS, I WOULD SAY, THE LAST TWO OR THREE YEARS."ACRDG TO THE LATT CROWN PROSECUTN SERVICE FIGUR, HOMOPHOBIC AND TRANSPHOBIC HATE CRIM ALT WH BY PROSECUTORS KENT CREASED OM 38 2017/18 TO 62 2018/19.HATE CRIM TOWARDS LGBT+ PEOPLE HAS QUADPLED KENT SCE 2013/14, WHEN JT 14 S WERE ALT WH BY PROSECUTORS, 12 S RULTED NVICTNS AND TWO S DID NOT.THE RISE THE NUMBERS OF S MAY BE BEE PEOPLE HAVE MORE NFINCE REPORTG HATE CRIME, HOWEVER, THE LGBT+ CHARY STONEWALL, SUGGTS THE RISE HAS CID WH RISG BAT AROUND LGBT+ CLIVE TN AND TRANSGENR EQUALY.ANTHONY IS ADAMANT HE IS AN DTRY WHICH WOULD GO ON FOREVER. HE IS HOPEFUL FOR THE FUTURE, AS GAY BARS EVOLVE WH THE CHANGG TIM.HE SAID: “THE GAY MUNY IS NOT GOG BACK, THEY’RE GOG FORWARD BEE WE’RE GETTG BRAVER."I'VE WORKED HARD THIS DTRY FOR A VERY LONG TIME, 'S NICE TO KNOW THE BARRIERS ARE BREAKG DOWN AND PEOPLE ARE ENJOYG THEMSELV. ANYONE WHO LIK THE GAY MUNY IS WELE”READ MORE: ALL THE LATT NEWS OM KENT FOR MORE REAL LIFE STORI, CLICK HERE. --> CANTERBURY HUMAN INTERT KENT THA SOPHIE BIRD _PLUGMANAGER.SETTARGETVALUE("ARTICLEID", "221579"); FOLLOW MOST POPULAR
• LBIAN OR GAY BARS MARGATE - MARGATE FOM
• THE BEST MARGATE GAY CLUBS & BARSSEE ALL THGS TO DOGAY CLUBS & BARS MARGATE

THE BEST KENT GAY CLUBS & BARSGAY CLUBS & BARS KENT

Dpe the changg tim, gay bars rema a refuge for all sorts of people who may be ightened to reveal their sexualy a nventnal settg, or don't want to go to a pub which uld be full of rowdy many argug Kent is noticeably short of such venu we've put together a list of LGBTQ+ iendly bars across the unty offerg everythg om karaoke to drag 's Drag Race UK star Srlett Harlett at The Sundowners. "Some venu are now startg to grow a signifint reputatn wh the muny, bookg stars om across the untry to sell Sundowners is the only gay bar Tha.

Picture: SundownersSundowners, Margate The Sundowners bar Margate is currently the only gay bar regularly host drag performance evengs and is the hub of all ftivi durg Margate Pri. Picture: The LimThe Lim, Canterbury The Lim Lounge on Rosemary Lane Canterbury is a retro gay bar wh rabow brandg across the ont of the buildg after a renovatn last bar is well-known across the unty for cktails and karaoke nights - owners Mikey and Anthony advertise "Gayaoke" regularly on the Facebook page. Picture: The LimAnthony is hopeful for the future, as gay bars evolve wh the changg said: “The gay muny is not gog back, they’re gog forward bee we’re gettg braver.

LGBT HISTORY MONTH: VENU KENT CLUDG SUNDOWNERS AND COYOT AND THE RUPL DRAG RACE STARS THAT HAVE APPEARED THERE LAOISE GALLAGHER PUBLISHED: 05:00, 09 FEBARY 2022  | UPDATED: 18:58, 10 FEBARY 2022   | | | --> DPE THE CHANGG TIM, GAY BARS REMA A REFUGE FOR ALL SORTS OF PEOPLE WHO MAY BE IGHTENED TO REVEAL THEIR SEXUALY A NVENTNAL SETTG, OR DON'T WANT TO GO TO A PUB WHICH ULD BE FULL OF ROWDY REVELLERS.WH MANY ARGUG KENT IS NOTICEABLY SHORT OF SUCH VENU WE'VE PUT TOGETHER A LIST OF LGBTQ+ IENDLY BARS ACROSS THE UNTY OFFERG EVERYTHG OM KARAOKE TO DRAG PERFORMANC.RUPL'S DRAG RACE UK STAR SRLETT HARLETT AT THE SUNDOWNERS. PICTURE: THE SUNDOWNERSBOTH OF KENT'S RUPL'S DRAG RACE UK STARS HAVE SAID THE UNTY IS SHORT OF "QUEER VENU".WNER KRYSTAL VERSACE OM TUNBRIDGE WELLS TOLD : "I REALLY WANT TO E BACK TO KENT, I JT THK NEEDS MORE VENU."IT NEEDS MORE QUEER CULTURE, YOU KNOW? "THEY NEED TO JT CHANGE THGS UP A B AND TWEAK A FEW THGS."SOME VENU ARE NOW STARTG TO GROW A SIGNIFINT REPUTATN WH THE MUNY, BOOKG STARS OM ACROSS THE UNTRY TO SELL TICKETS.THE SUNDOWNERS IS THE ONLY GAY BAR THA. PICTURE: SUNDOWNERSSUNDOWNERS, MARGATE THE SUNDOWNERS BAR MARGATE IS CURRENTLY THE ONLY GAY BAR THA.THEY REGULARLY HOST DRAG PERFORMANCE EVENGS AND IS THE HUB OF ALL FTIVI DURG MARGATE PRI. RECENTLY, THE SUNDOWNERS HAS HOSTED PERFORMANC OM TERNATNAL STARS LIKE BAGA CHIPZ AND CHERYL HOLE.IT WAS ALSO FEATURED ON NETFLIX'S I LIKE TO WATCH UK TOUR.DUNN BAYL WH A DRAG PERFORMERDUNN BAYL, 60, WHO NS THE SUNDOWNERS SAID: "BARS ARE A LOT MORE THE OPEN NOW. IN THE PAST, BARS WERE HELD UNRGROUND."YOU HAD TO PH BUZZERS OR KNOW SOMEBODY TO BE ABLE TO GET TO THEM."WE AIM TO CREATE A SAFE SPACE FOR EVERYONE REGARDLS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATN A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE N BE WHO THEY ARE AND FEEL SAFE "WE OFFER A WARM WELE TO EVERYONE AND AS ONE OF ONLY A UPLE OF LGBTQ+ BARS KENT WE PLAY AN IMPORTANT PART OUR MUNY."THROUGHOUT LGBTQ+ HISTORY MONTH THEY HAVE PERFORMANC OM LOL PERFORMERS, DRAG STARS DIVA DE CAMPO AND SUM TG WONG AND THIS MONTH WILL SEE THE RETURN OF THEIR SUNDAY ROAST DNERS.THE LIM HAS JT REVEALED A NEW LOOK FOLLOWG A RENOVATN. PICTURE: THE LIMTHE LIM, CANTERBURY THE LIM LOUNGE ON ROSEMARY LANE CANTERBURY IS A RETRO GAY BAR WH RABOW BRANDG ACROSS THE ONT OF THE BUILDG AFTER A RENOVATN LAST MONTH. THE BAR IS WELL-KNOWN ACROSS THE UNTY FOR CKTAILS AND KARAOKE NIGHTS - OWNERS MIKEY AND ANTHONY ADVERTISE "GAYAOKE" REGULARLY ON THE FACEBOOK PAGE.HOWEVER, HAS AT TIM BEEN SUBJECT TO ABE, WH A AD PIGEON THROWN THROUGH THE DOOR AND THREATS OF AN ARSON ATTACK.ANTHONY SAYS BARS LIKE HIS ARE "A REFUGE TO EVERYONE WHO IS AAID TO E OUT" BUT THEY N KNOW THEIR SECRET WILL BE SAFE WH BAR STAFF.OWNERS MIKEY AND ANTHONY HOPE TO BE A REFUGE FOR THE MUNY. PICTURE: THE LIMANTHONY IS HOPEFUL FOR THE FUTURE, AS GAY BARS EVOLVE WH THE CHANGG TIM.HE SAID: “THE GAY MUNY IS NOT GOG BACK, THEY’RE GOG FORWARD BEE WE’RE GETTG BRAVER."I'VE WORKED HARD THIS DTRY FOR A VERY LONG TIME, 'S NICE TO KNOW THE BARRIERS ARE BREAKG DOWN AND PEOPLE ARE ENJOYG THEMSELV."ANYONE WHO LIK THE GAY MUNY IS WELE”THE BAR IS OPEN OM NOON EVERY TUDAY THROUGH TO SATURDAY AND OM 5PM EVERY SUNDAY.KENT'S NEWT GAY BAR DARTFORD. PICTURE: HUFFLER'S ARMSHUFFLER'S ARMS, DARTFORD THE HUFFLER'S ARMS ON HYTHE STREET DARTFORD IS THE UNTY'S NEWT GAY BAR, OPENG AS AN LGBTQ+ VENUE JANUARY.THERE'S A HOST OF DRAG QUEEN SHOWS, EDY OPEN MIC NIGHTS AND OTHER EVENTS THE WORKS, ADDN TO THE VENUE'S UAL BILLG.SOME STAFF ARE MEMBERS OF THE LGBTQ+ MUNY, WHILST OTHERS ARE ALLI AND HAVE THROWN THEIR SUPPORT BEHD THE CHANG.GENERAL MANAGER CHRIS LEER, 34, SAID: "WE WERE JT DISCSG NEW OPTNS FOR THE PUB GOG FORWARD AND IF WE MA TO SOMETHG THAT ISN'T AROUND THIS AREA AND WHAT WE THKS THIS AREA NEEDS."THE PRI BAR WILL HOST A VALENTE'S DNER. PICTURE: HUFFLER'S ARMSCHRIS NTUED: "WE WANT TO KEEP AS THE MUNY PUB THAT IS AND STILL OFFER EVERYTHG THAT WE OFFER NOW BUT JT HAVE THAT AS THE SAFE HUB WHERE THE LGBTQ+ MUNY WILL FEEL SAFE.""WE ARE REALLY HAPPY, ALL THE STAFF ARE ON BOARD AND ALL THE LOLS ARE ON BOARD AS WELL."A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE REACHED OUT TO , CLUDG NEW CTOMERS THAT ARE VERY HAPPY."THE HUFFLER'S ARMS WILL HOST VAR EVENTS THROUGHOUT LGBTQ+ HISTORY MONTH, CLUDG A S DOWN VALENTE'S DAY DNER THE PRI BAR.SCE THE REOPENG THE BAR HAS BEEN A HUGE SUCCS AND THEY ARE READY TO NTUE THE "BIG PRI PARTY".THIS LGBT+ NIGHTCLUB IS OPEN UNTIL 4AM. PICTURE: COYOTCOYOT, CHATHAM NEW ROAD AVENUE CHATHAM IS HOME TO THE GAY NIGHTCLUB COYOT.THE LATE NIGHT VENUE IS A SMALL BUT TABLISHED BAR FOR THE LGBTQ+ MUNY AND IS THIS YEAR CELEBRATG S 14TH BIRTHDAY.IT IS A BLAST OM THE PAST AND JT LIKE DUNN BAYL OM THE SUNDOWNERS MENTNED, IS PLETELY UNRGROUND, WH A STAIRSE TAKG YOU DOWN TO THE ONT DOOR.COYOT IS ONLY OPEN ON FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS BUT DON'T CLOSE UNTIL 4AM SO IF PERFECT FOR THOSE WHO LIKE TO PARTY UNTIL SUNRISE.THE SHIP INN HAS OVER 500 YEARS OF HISTORY ON ROCHTER HIGH STREETTHE SHIP INN, ROCHTER THIS PUB HAS A LONG HISTORY, STANDG FOR 500 YEARS ON ROCHTER HIGH STREET AND IS THE OLST GAY BAR MEDWAY.IN PLACE OF THE TRADNAL ST GEE'S FLAG MANY BEER GARNS, THIS PUB CELEBRAT S HISTORY WH A RABOW FLAG PRI OF PLACE.FOR THOSE WHO ARE A FAN OF HISTORY, THE PURPLE DANCE BAR WAS THE SE OF THE FIRST ARRT AND NVICTN FOR BUGGERY WAY BACK THE DAYS OF HENRY VIII.NOT ONLY IS THIS A GREAT PUB TO ENJOY A QUIET DRK WH IENDS, BUT THEY ALSO SERVE TRADNAL ENGLISH FOOD H OM THE KCHEN EVERY DAY.DRAG STAR ELLA VADAY PERFORMED AT THE CUBAN, PICTURE: GLTERBOMBTHE CUBAN, CANTERBURY (GLTERBOMB NIGHTS) THIS CANTERBURY BAR IS CREDIBLY POPULAR WH STUNTS, BUT HAS RECENTLY BEE HOST TO GLTERBOMB NIGHTS.TOKYO TEA ROOMS WAS PREVLY OCCUPIED EVERY TUDAY BY THE EXTERNAL PANY WHO PUT ON LGBTQ+ CLUB EVENTS.HOWEVER, THEY HAVE RECENTLY CHANGED LOTN AND NOW THE CUBAN IS TAKEN OVER EVERY TUDAY WH DRAG PERFORMANC AND THE GLTERBOMB DANCERS.FANS OF A GLTERBOMB NIGHT OUT WILL ALSO BE PLEASE TO HEAR THAT GLTERBOMB THE PARK IS SET TO RETURN TO MOTE PARK THIS SUMMER AFTER A SUCCSFUL BUT LAST YEAR.MU MU HAS TWO RINT DRAG QUEENS PROVIDG ENTERTAMENT. PICTURE: THE MADAMEMU MU: THE LNDRY ROOM, MAIDSTONE AGA, MUCH LIKE THE CUBAN, MU MU MAIDSTONE DON'T BRAND SELF AS A GAY BAR BUT IS VERY LGBTQ+ IENDLY.THE LNDRY ROOM IS HOME TO RINT DRAG QUEEN MADAME MUMU WHO HOSTS BGO AND BNCH - SHE IS ALSO THE DJ THE UPSTAIRS ROOM ON CLUB NIGHTS.THEY HAVE RECENTLY ADD ANOTHER DRAG QUEEN TO THE BOOKS - SHEBERT DIP NS KARAOKE EVENGS ON THURSDAY AND SUNDAYS NELLIE GERKS (THE IRISH PUB OWNED BY THE MU MU BRAND).MANY OF THE LGBTQ+ EVENTS ARE TICKETED, BUT THE UPSTAIRS ROOM ON CLUB NIGHTS IS EASILY ACCSIBLE THROUGH THE LNDRETTE ENTRANCE. --> KENT WHAT'S ON NEWS LAOISE GALLAGHER _PLUGMANAGER.SETTARGETVALUE("ARTICLEID", "262088"); FOLLOW MOST POPULAR

"Anyone who lik the gay muny is wele”The bar is open om noon every Tuday through to Saturday and om 5pm every 's newt gay bar Dartford. Picture: Huffler's ArmsHuffler's Arms, Dartford The Huffler's Arms on Hythe Street Dartford is the unty's newt gay bar, openg as an LGBTQ+ venue 's a host of drag queen shows, edy open mic nights and other events the works, addn to the venue's ual staff are members of the LGBTQ+ muny, whilst others are alli and have thrown their support behd the chang.

THE BEST ISLE OF THA GAY CLUBS & BARSGAY CLUBS & BARS ISLE OF THA

Picture: CoyotCoyot, Chatham New Road Avenue Chatham is home to the gay nightclub late night venue is a small but tablished bar for the LGBTQ+ muny and is this year celebratg s 14th is a blast om the past and jt like Dunn Bayl om The Sundowners mentned, is pletely unrground, wh a stairse takg you down to the ont door.

Coyot is only open on Fridays and Saturdays but don't close until 4am so if perfect for those who like to party until Ship Inn has over 500 years of history on Rochter High StreetThe Ship Inn, Rochter This pub has a long history, standg for 500 years on Rochter High Street and is the olst gay bar place of the tradnal St Gee's flag many beer garns, this pub celebrat s history wh a rabow flag pri of those who are a fan of history, the purple dance bar was the se of the first arrt and nvictn for buggery way back the days of Henry only is this a great pub to enjoy a quiet drk wh iends, but they also serve tradnal English food h om the kchen every star Ella Vaday performed at The Cuban, Picture: GlterbombThe Cuban, Canterbury (Glterbomb nights) This Canterbury bar is credibly popular wh stunts, but has recently bee host to Glterbomb Tea Rooms was prevly occupied every Tuday by the external pany who put on LGBTQ+ club events. Picture: The MadameMu Mu: The Lndry Room, Maidstone Aga, much like The Cuban, Mu Mu Maidstone don't brand self as a gay bar but is very LGBTQ+ Lndry Room is home to rint drag queen Madame MuMu who hosts bgo and bnch - she is also the DJ the upstairs room on club have recently add another drag queen to the books - Shebert Dip ns karaoke evengs on Thursday and Sundays Nellie Gerks (the Irish pub owned by the Mu Mu brand) of the LGBTQ+ events are ticketed, but the upstairs room on club nights is easily accsible through the lndrette entrance.

The owner of a gay bar has said we shouldn't need to have them the 21st century, but they have bee a bean of acceptance to many recent yearsParents of LGBT+ children Kent are now g them for advice. Visors all drsed up at The SundownersOwners of gay bars have been at the foreont of their muny movg out om basements and now they are sentially the same as any other Bayl, 59, who ns The Sundowners Tha, said: "Bars are a lot more the open now. "Now we're que happy to advertise we are a gay bar, which is a big step forward.

LGBT HISTORY MONTH: GAY BARS ARE REFUG FOR ALL SAYS CANTERBURY'S LIM LOUNGE AND THA'S THE SUNDOWNERS SOPHIE BIRD PUBLISHED: 06:00, 08 FEBARY 2020  | UPDATED: 15:38, 08 FEBARY 2020   | | | --> THE OWNER OF A GAY BAR HAS SAID WE SHOULDN'T NEED TO HAVE THEM THE 21ST CENTURY, BUT THEY HAVE BEE A BEAN OF ACCEPTANCE TO MANY RECENT YEARSPARENTS OF LGBT+ CHILDREN KENT ARE NOW G THEM FOR ADVICE. DPE THE CHANGG TIM, THE BARS REMA A REFUGE FOR ALL SORTS OF PEOPLE WHO MAY BE IGHTENED TO REVEAL THEIR SEXUALY A NVENTNAL SETTG, OR DON'T WANT TO GO TO A PUB WHICH ULD BE FULL OF ROWDY REVELLERS.VISORS ALL DRSED UP AT THE SUNDOWNERS OWNERS OF GAY BARS HAVE BEEN AT THE FOREONT OF THEIR MUNY MOVG OUT OM BASEMENTS AND NOW THEY ARE SENTIALLY THE SAME AS ANY OTHER PUB. DUNN BAYL, 59, WHO NS THE SUNDOWNERS THA, SAID: "BARS ARE A LOT MORE THE OPEN NOW. IN THE PAST, BARS WERE HELD UNRGROUND. YOU HAD TO PH BUZZERS OR KNOW SOMEBODY TO BE ABLE TO GET TO THEM."NOW WE'RE QUE HAPPY TO ADVERTISE WE ARE A GAY BAR, WHICH IS A BIG STEP FORWARD. WE WILL FLY OUR FLAGS SO PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF WHAT WE ARE."ANTHONY BUTCHER, WHO NS LIM LOUNGE CANTERBURY, SAYS A BIG CHANGE HE HAS NOTICED IS HOW EQUENTLY PARENTS E TO HIS BAR LOOKG FOR ADVICE ON HOW TO REACT TO THEIR LGBT+ CHILD G OUT.THE 57-YEAR-OLD SAYS THIS HAS BEE LIKE A EE SERVICE THE BAR PROVIS, WH FAI OFTEN VISG MONTHS LATER TO THANK THEM.TONY BUTCHER, LIM LOUNGE: "SCE I'VE BEEN ME TO KENT, I'VE NEVER BEEN HAPPIER. I LOVE DOWN HERE NOW, 'S PART OF MY LIFE, 'S WHERE I SHOULD BE AND PROBABLY DIE DOWN HERE."HE ADD: "WHEN WE FIRST GOT HERE, WE HAD A GENTLEMAN WHOSE SON WANTED TO BE A WOMAN. HE ME DOWN HERE AND HE WAS TEARS WH HIS WIFE. HE WAS ASKG MY ADVICE AND I JT SAID TO HIM YOU'VE GOT TO GO WH THE FLOW AND SEE HOW GO. "NOW, THE LAD - WHO IS NOW A LADY - IS VERY HAPPY AND THE PARENTS HAVE ACCEPTED AND THEY POP EVERY NOW AND AGA.”ANTHONY SAYS BARS LIKE HIS ARE A REFUGE TO ALL, CLUDG CELEBRI, VIRS, POLICE, ARMED FORC, URT WORKERS AND ERNMENT WORKERS, WHO ARE AAID TO E OUT BUT KNOW THEIR SECRET WILL BE SAFE WH BAR STAFF.DUNN BELIEV AN IAL WORLD WE SHOULDN'T NEED GAYS BARS. HE ADD: "IF A MAN WANTS TO HOLD HANDS WH A MAN OR WOMEN WANT TO HOLD HANDS, THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO GO ANYWHERE. WE'RE THE 21ST CENTURY, NOT THE 1800S."EVEN PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT LGBT+ ENJOY THE SAFETY OF A GAY BAR AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO ROUGHER BARS. ANTHONY SAYS STRAIGHT WOMEN OFTEN VIS HIS BAR AS A WAY OF AVOIDG MEN HTG ON THEM AND TO BE A PLACE WHERE THEY FEEL RPECTED.THE SUNDOWNERS OFTEN HOLD DRAG IDOL PETNS, HAVE DRS UP EVENGS AND QUIZ NIGHTSDISABLED AND VULNERABLE PEOPLE WILL ALSO VIS THE BARS BEE OF THEIR REPUTATN FOR BEG ACCEPTG TO ALL. ANTHONY ADD: "IT'S NOT JT A TO MAKE MONEY. IT'S A REFUGE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE A B IGHTENED, SOME OF G OUT AND SOME OF THEM ARE OLR PEOPLE WHO ONLY E OUT LATER LIFE."THE BAR OWNERS ALSO SAY SOME OF THEIR CTOMERS E TO THE BARS FOR THE UNIQUE ENTERTAMENT, SUCH AS DRAG ACTS, FANCY DRS NIGHTS, MICIANS AND A RANGE OF GS - A VARIETY WHICH THEY SAY MOST PUBS NOW LACK. LOOKG BACK FOR LGBT+ HISTORY MONTH, GAY BARS HAVE SEEN A WARMER WELE THE GENERAL MUNY THE PAST FEW S. BUT NOW MANY ARE CLOSG DOWN ACROSS THE UNTY. DUNN REMEMBERS THREE WHICH WERE ONCE OPEN THA AND CANTERBURY HAS SEEN FOUR OTHERS CLOSE DOWN. LIME’S LOUNGE AND THE SUNDOWNERS ARE NOW THE ONLY GAY BARS THOSE AREAS.VISORS ENJOYG A DRK AT THE LIM BARTHE SUNDOWNERS OWNER HAS A THEORY AS TO WHY MORE BARS ARE CLOSG DOWN.HE SAID: "THE ST OF RENTS AND BS TAX RAT HAVE CLOSED A LOT OF THEM DOWN. BUT ALSO PEOPLE E SOCIAL MEDIA TO MEET MORE AND I THK THAT HAS A BIG BEARG."WHEREAS, GOG BACK, THERE WAS NO SOCIAL MEDIA, THERE WERE NO DATG APPS. SO PEOPLE ED TO HAVE TO GO TO A GAY BAR TO MEET ANOTHER GAY PERSON."THE 59-YEAR-OLD BELIEV THIS HAS IMPACTED THE STRAIGHT DATG WORLD AS WELL, BUT HS GAY BARS MUCH MORE BEE OF HOW SENTIAL THEY WERE FOR LGBT+ PEOPLE TO FD OTHERS LIKE THEMSELV.HOWEVER, NEHER OF THE OWNERS BELIEVE GAR BARS ARE GOG TO DIE OUT AS THEY STILL OFFER A SPACE PEOPLE NEED.TONY BUTCHER, OWNER OF LIM LOUNGE: “ANYONE WHO LIK THE GAY MUNY IS WELE.”ANTHONY AND DUNN HAVE BOTH NOTICED A RECENT RISE HOSTILY TOWARDS LGBT+ PEOPLE AND SAY HAS HAD A PART TO PLAY THE CLOSG OF SOME OF THE BARS.DUNN SAID: "I THK THERE IS FELY MORE ACCEPTANCE, BUT THE WORRYG TREND IS AT THE MOMENT WE HAVE AN CREASE HOMOPHOBIC ASSLTS THE UNTRY. IT'S FELY GONE BACKWARDS, I WOULD SAY, THE LAST TWO OR THREE YEARS."ACRDG TO THE LATT CROWN PROSECUTN SERVICE FIGUR, HOMOPHOBIC AND TRANSPHOBIC HATE CRIM ALT WH BY PROSECUTORS KENT CREASED OM 38 2017/18 TO 62 2018/19.HATE CRIM TOWARDS LGBT+ PEOPLE HAS QUADPLED KENT SCE 2013/14, WHEN JT 14 S WERE ALT WH BY PROSECUTORS, 12 S RULTED NVICTNS AND TWO S DID NOT.THE RISE THE NUMBERS OF S MAY BE BEE PEOPLE HAVE MORE NFINCE REPORTG HATE CRIME, HOWEVER, THE LGBT+ CHARY STONEWALL, SUGGTS THE RISE HAS CID WH RISG BAT AROUND LGBT+ CLIVE TN AND TRANSGENR EQUALY.ANTHONY IS ADAMANT HE IS AN DTRY WHICH WOULD GO ON FOREVER. HE IS HOPEFUL FOR THE FUTURE, AS GAY BARS EVOLVE WH THE CHANGG TIM.HE SAID: “THE GAY MUNY IS NOT GOG BACK, THEY’RE GOG FORWARD BEE WE’RE GETTG BRAVER."I'VE WORKED HARD THIS DTRY FOR A VERY LONG TIME, 'S NICE TO KNOW THE BARRIERS ARE BREAKG DOWN AND PEOPLE ARE ENJOYG THEMSELV. ANYONE WHO LIK THE GAY MUNY IS WELE”READ MORE: ALL THE LATT NEWS OM KENT FOR MORE REAL LIFE STORI, CLICK HERE. --> CANTERBURY HUMAN INTERT KENT THA SOPHIE BIRD _PLUGMANAGER.SETTARGETVALUE("ARTICLEID", "221579"); FOLLOW MOST POPULAR

”Anthony says bars like his are a refuge to all, cludg celebri, virs, police, armed forc, urt workers and ernment workers, who are aaid to e out but know their secret will be safe wh bar believ an ial world we shouldn't need gays bars.

LBIAN OR GAY BARS MARGATE - MARGATE FOM

"Even people who are not LGBT+ enjoy the safety of a gay bar as an alternative to rougher bars.

THE BEST MARGATE GAY CLUBS & BARSSEE ALL THGS TO DOGAY CLUBS & BARS MARGATE

Lookg back for LGBT+ History Month, gay bars have seen a warmer wele the general muny the past few s.

Lime’s Lounge and The Sundowners are now the only gay bars those areas. So people ed to have to go to a gay bar to meet another gay person. "The 59-year-old believ this has impacted the straight datg world as well, but hs gay bars much more bee of how sential they were for LGBT+ people to fd others like themselv.

However, neher of the owners believe gar bars are gog to die out as they still offer a space people Butcher, owner of Lim Lounge: “Anyone who lik the gay muny is wele. ”Anthony and Dunn have both noticed a recent rise hostily towards LGBT+ people and say has had a part to play the closg of some of the said: "I thk there is fely more acceptance, but the worryg trend is at the moment we have an crease homophobic asslts the untry.