69 replies to this topic

[Beowulf]

One of Britain's most historic cities, Canterbury, has been told it is sufficiently gay – after a complaint sparked a two-month investigation costing thousands of pounds.

A government watchdog decided that Canterbury in Kent does enough to promote homosexual culture, rejecting a complaint by local activists.

The Local Government Ombudsman – who asked for the city's council to provide evidence of how it supported the gay community – said it was satisfied the pink pound was being catered for.

As part of the investigation, the council had to prove its inclusiveness by giving details of "touring plays and musicals, for example, which would be of interest to the LGBT community".

And it had to show that it had "put forward suggestions for small events that it might help fund, as well as proposals for other events such as exhibitions".

Rob Davies, spokesman for the council, said: "Obviously we're delighted with the outcome of the investigation.

"We feel we do a great deal for the gay community in Canterbury and we have always tried to support various gay events and promotions."

"But at the same time it is not the duty of any council to set up a gay bar – that's not what councils do."

The two-month investigation began at the end of April after a letter was sent from two representatives of Pride in Canterbury.

Chairman Andrew Brettell lodged a formal complaint with the Local Government Ombudsman claiming his initial letter to the council in November fell on deaf ears.

Mr Brettell, in his 60s, said last month: "" We do not believe the council want a thriving LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community in our city. The impression I get is that the council just doesn't want to know.

"I get the feeling it is precious because Canterbury has a cathedral and history. I think they think the gay community will turn it into Sodom and Gomorrah."

LOLWHAT... and discuss.

[Vortigern]

It's just a bunch of dudes who like to complain. It's not the local council's problem if there's nothing for gays to do around there. Go have a look at the Cathedral or something, or just do the same things straight people do. Go for walks, watch TV, maybe go to a restaurant or something. There's always going to be at least one gay hangout, because it's a popular market and there must be someone cunning enough to realise that in Canterbury.

Bloody whingers.

[Spectre]

They're like you, god damnit, if you don't want to admit it, get the fuck out.

Why are LGBTs shunned so much? It's like it's taboo, which it isn't or shouldn't be.

[Grizzlez]

I definately live real close to Canterbury in a smaller village in Kent and don't understand the problem. There are several gay men in my school who go to the same pubs, clubs and various other locations everyone else does. There aren't any real big areas just for gays, but as they can enjoy the same facilities as everyone else they deserve to be just as bored without their own bar or whatever in which only LGBT are allowed.

Surely if it is right to have LGBT bars, clubs etc, it is right to have anti-LGBT bars in the same way. All this does is corner of gays from the rest of society instead of everyone coming together as people regardless of sexual preferences.

[Vortigern]

Exactly, Grizzlez.

By the way, TLC, you seem to have totally missed the point of my post. I'm saying it doesn't matter what your sexuality is, just go do stuff. You don't need a club all your own.

You should be aware that, in my eyes at least, you are the one displaying unhealthy levels of intolerance. You are implying by your words that you would be happy for this to happen anywhere, which is fine, but also that you would think less of someone for having a dissenting opinion. That's just as intolerant as someone who would think less of another for their sexuality. You should learn to appreciate this fact. And it doesn't sound to me like the LGBTs are being shunned at all. It just sounds like they have the right to demand free stuff because they're different. It's becoming increasingly difficult to be a majority these days.

[Spectre]

First off, I'm not TLC.

What I'm trying to imply is that if you're in open revolt over an LGBT bar, then you need to go somewhere else, or deal with it. It's just one town, not the world. Sure, I might be intolerant of LGBT haters, but I'm not going to treat them with less respect if I ever meet them.

Oh, and it's Gay Pride week in Texas.

Edited by Spectre, 28 June 2009 - 11:33 PM.

[Elvenlord]

They're like you, god damnit, if you don't want to admit it, get the fuck out.

Why are LGBTs shunned so much? It's like it's taboo, which it isn't or shouldn't be.

If there's like us, THEN US THE SAME FUCKING BARS AND NOT WHINE TO THE GOVERNMENT THAT YOU NEED "SPECIAL" BARS. Imagine if whites asked for their own bars. Or even if heterosexuals asked for their own bar.

The government should not cater to one group. It should provide something for all, not for some.

[Rafv Nin IV]

The government should provide nothing at all--just like it does now, except with less taxes.

[Puppeteer]

I think one bar should be provided, with or without government backing (either by the council or an independent company). It's harder for gay people to 'hook up'. Being heterosexual is assumed of people, unless proven otherwise. If you went to a nightclub, what's the chances that the girl you like is lesbian? Now switch it on its head. In a full nightclub, over 90% of people will be off limits to them. After that they should quit their whining.

Edited by Puppeteer, 29 June 2009 - 04:39 PM.

[Florisz]

I think that Canterbury wants to give "different" people a nicer place to live. Because, let's face it, almost everywhere you come, gay people are seen as "weak, stupid, miserable, shy" and all those kinds of crap. If I were a dude in charge of a town, I'd try to do that...

[Vortigern]

Goddamn it, I always get Durandel and TLC mixed up. 13-year-olds, I guess...

But yeah, I don't see why gays have any more right to their own stuff than blacks, whites, heterosexuals, women, people of a certain profession or anyone else. It's positive discrimination, which is still discrimination. Just have a gay night in a normal club. Gay guys can hook up once or twice a week and the rest of the population, which you must admit is rather more numerous than the LGBT community, can have the other five or six days. And then people can just get the hell over it.

[Spectre]

Goddamn it, I always get Durandel and TLC mixed up. 13-year-olds, I guess...

But yeah, I don't see why gays have any more right to their own stuff than blacks, whites, heterosexuals, women, people of a certain profession or anyone else. It's positive discrimination, which is still discrimination. Just have a gay night in a normal club. Gay guys can hook up once or twice a week and the rest of the population, which you must admit is rather more numerous than the LGBT community, can have the other five or six days. And then people can just get the hell over it.

From what I know, the gays are the only ones complaining about not having their own bar, but I'd say if a certain type of people wanted one that was *enter stereotype/etc. here* only and had enough supporters that it would be alright. Although I will say it's better to not segregate races with white or black only clubs, that would lead to controversy.

[Vortigern]

If everyone agrees that black/white only bars are a bad thing, why can we not agree that straight/gay only bars would be a bad thing? Segregation is segregation, whether voluntary or otherwise. If you ask me, Malcolm X did a great deal of harm to the civil rights movement in America with all his talk of a black nation.

[Elvenlord]

Because if a minority group wants it, it makes it ok, don't ya know?

[Mathijs]

If everyone agrees that black/white only bars are a bad thing, why can we not agree that straight/gay only bars would be a bad thing?

Because they are not comparable. Sexual preference is not the same as race, and blacks and whites can and do still pick one another up at bars. Gays and straights don't. That's why gay people prefer bars where they can chat up men without having to fear some macho like Durandel slamming their faces because he thinks homosexuality is fine as long as he never has to deal with it. This has nothing to do with segregation for crying out loud, it's just people wanting to hang out with people they can potentially date. Jesus. You're looking too far into this.

If, by your logic, gay bars promote segregation, what difference do gay nights at normal bars make? Let me tell you, absolutely nothing. It's still a bunch of gay guys hitting it off with other gay guys, just on a less regular basis.

Let's ban alternative, techno and literary bars! Those metalheads, technofiends and bookwurms HAVE TO MIX! OTHERWISE IT'S SEGREGATION! NO!

Edited by Matias, 30 June 2009 - 12:36 AM.

[Rafv Nin IV]

I happen to agree with your stance, Matias, but this still does not mean that every city needs or deserves to have a gay/lesbian bar. I do not know how large Canterbury is, and it is likely a great deal larger than my hometown, but my following point still stands.

In my home town of around 9500, (incidentally, we have the USA's first openly transgender mayor) we only have three bars. We really don't have enough of a gay community for any gay bar to be commercially viable. And if an institution like a bar isn't commercially viable, it doesn't deserve to be around.

[Mathijs]

If there is another city with a gaybar somewhat close-by, it's fine. If not, a small gaybar wouldn't be a problem to me. I don't share your idea of ''businesses only deserve to exist if they are commercially viable.''

[killakanz]

Ok, just to see if I got the right end of the stick here... the people who like to complain about being segmented and ignored are now complaining that they don't have any special places for them to go to be segmented away and ignored?

I have no problem with gay, bi, whatever you wanna label youself. The kind that are quite happy and honest with their sexuality and don't make a fuss about it. I have a lot of friends in this category. Then there are the f**kin gay who are mainly the attention whores who want everyone to know and kick up about anything. I find these people really annoying and think they give a bad image of open minded sexuality.

Also, it's not upto the council to set up gay bars. Gay bars are private businesses like any other pub. No businessmen/women in your region wants to set up a gay bar? That's not the council's fault.

Edited by killakanz, 30 June 2009 - 02:12 PM.

[Tom]

I lived there for three years... hmmm... must have missed the gay scene... As far as I am aware there is only 1 saturday night gay club. But whatever...

[Pasidon]

I hope you're not disappointed because of it Tom.

I hear London is full of strait people, so one gay city won't hurt. Sounds like the Sanfransisco of Brittan.