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A CELEBRATN OF THE GLOR GAY CLUB
On a balmy summer’s eveng, walkg down Manchter’s Canal Street wh a iend, I stepped to my first gay bar.
I was seventeen, only two people the world - me and him - knew I was gay. I lgh at the absurdy of all now, but that first tentative step to the gay world, my world, was a fg experience. I will always remember my first proper gay club experience at Missn Leeds.
My first memorable gay clubbg experience was at Circ London. Gay clubs played such an important part of my life as this was where I felt I was disverg myself and lettg go of any fears I held onto growg up. The first time I walked to a Queer gay club Manchter - after seeg plac on Canal Street feature Queer As Folk - every expectatn I uld have imaged was met.
POPE FRANCIS SHOWERS GAY MISTRY WH PRAISE DURG PRI MONTH
It was a night of many firsts: my first gay bar, first drag show, the first time I ever kissed a boy public. More than all of this though, for the first time I was surround by people who appeared totally reee by the one thg that had ed me so much anguish throughout my teens – beg gay.
For me, The Joer's (RIP) was a really important gay venue. As well as enablg me to lnch my club night, was the centre of East London's thrivg gay muny and a wicked night out. The venu were/are rponsible for nurturg unique mic scen and providg a space for gays to tly be themselv.
But I n't remember many other tim feelg so elated, eher: to feel at ease, to feel wele, to feel that I didn't have to look over my shoulr to see who was watchg, or to worry about beg gay. Workg on London’s scene I appreciate and unrstand that for members of the LGBTI muny, gay clubs and bars are more than jt plac to socialise. The party Beyond is a perfect example of what is great about the London gay scene.