We spoke to students to find out what they thought about THE GAY SCENE!!
The Gay Scene in Birmingham
Birmingham is one of the few cities in the UK to have a dedicated district for the gay scene. The Birmingham Gay Village is a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) district in the city centre and is based along the popular and famous Hurst Street. However, the village gains a large number of visitors throughout the week from both gay and straight communities, but is the district still based around stereotypes? Or have they started attracting too large a crowd from the straight community?
Martin Fisher spoke to us about Hurst Street: “No, they don’t play off stereotypes, though it is the only place in Birmingham that you can go and see all the different stereotypes within the gay community”
Martin Gray agreed “There are several stereotypes and all gay bars are aimed at all aspects of the gay community”
But could dedicated LGBT areas cause more problems with acceptance of the gay community? Although these areas are frequently visited by both the gay and straight communities, could the dedication to pleasing the gay community cause separation issues and have an impact on the acceptance given from people who aren’t LGBT?
Mr Gray had this to say: “It is excellent by me, as far as I am concerned we are all human and shouldn’t be segregated”
Mr Fisher continued: “The reason for going to Hurst Street and the surrounding bars is solely down to the atmosphere there and the fact I can be me and no one will judge. Down Hurst Street everyone is welcome and you do not get any prejudice for being you”
The number of visitors, going to Hurst Street in particular, has risen in recent years as more people have come to accept others in the LGBT community. Although a majority of the visitors are part of the LGBT community, there is no shortage of the amount of people from the straight community visiting the area too: “I don’t mind that gay bars attract the straight community as well, as long as they respect that we are gay and proud” Mr Fisher told us, “There is not ever a problem with them attending the gay scene, however, there is the odd few who do solely go to the gay strip to cause problems”
But does the dedication of the LGBT community help keep them safe from discriminative people who would simply cause trouble in the area? Mr Gray believes so: “It is a very friendly and safe atmosphere, where you can be who you’re meant to be. I go out several times a month for the reason that it is a great night out and full of very friendly people”
Both men agreed that they have personally never felt the effects of someone discriminating against them whenever they are in the dedicated LGBT area in Birmingham. Mr Fisher spoke to us about it: “It is all down to the safe, welcoming and accepting atmosphere that you feel when you’re down the scene, it really is one of the few places I have been where I feel totally safe and accepted for being me”
Mr Gray agreed: “No, I don’t mind at all,” the straight community “tend to mix in and mingle with the crowds”
The amount of visitors going to dedicated LGBT area’s, especially the one of Hurst Street in Birmingham, has increased. Not only with the gay community they are dedicated to and aiming to please but also the straight community. This is seen as a great thing as it’s an improvement within society, both in local communities and worldwide, it shows that people are more understanding of others and that we can show shared pleasantries with people who are completely different to ourselves, though it can also show that we may not be as different as many of us assume.
By Rebecca Edwards
SexYOUality Magazine 