As FYI: Soho – a district of Westminster in the City of Westminster in the West End of London – is, for all intents and purposes, the “center” of London. You wanna watch musicals at the West End? It’s here. You wanna check London’s Chinatown? That’s also here. You’re curious about the Red Light District of London? It traces back its history here.
And yep… you want to check where the gays are? You better check Soho.
@outragemag You're looking for the party scene in #London? Check out #Soho and its #LGBT ♬ original sound – Outrage Magazine
Soho has long been linked with London’s LGBTQIA+ community.
For instance, 20th-century private clubs like the Caravan Club were located in Soho. These were important because – take note – homosexuality was only decriminalized in England and Wales in 1967.
Now, the gayborhood – or the LGBTQIA+-centric section – of Soho may be said to be centered at the Old Compton Street. But you’d actually find other bars all over the district.
With Kayla Antonia Garcia, I checked some of these bars. And there are things that need mentioning.
First: If you want to understand the LGBTQIA+ movement, you also need to look at our bars. Compton’s, as an example, is one of the oldest, opened in the 1980s with Village and Halfway II Heaven. It served as a haven for people like us when public displays like kissing were policed.
Second: LGBTQIA+ bars actually also segregate us, usually based on our preferences. Compton’s attracts lumberjacks or bears and otters or leather lovers, as an example. Rupert Street attracts tourists, those who like drag performances and standup performers, and so on. G-A-Y attracts the practical, with its 3-drinks-for-10-pounds offer… at least among others.
Third: It is expensive to be LGBTQIA+ in our own LGBTQIA+ spaces. In London, a beer can cost from £8 or more. The thing is: the current hourly rate of pay in London is set at £13.85. So if you drink two beers in an hour… may utang ka na.
There are other spaces in London that are emerging as alternatives to Soho as LGBTQIA+ venues. This is good. But for those wanting to at least check out the gay scene, this is always a must-check location.
But off we go for more LGBTQIA+ rampa…
