THEGAYUK

Day: 6 July 2020

  • This Birmingham gay pub says Saturday’s takings “in line” with an average weekend

    This Birmingham gay pub says Saturday’s takings “in line” with an average weekend

    It seems as though people were out enjoying the gay scene over the weekend as one owner of a string of LGBT+ venues in Birmingham city centre spoke about the road to recovery for the sector.

    The majority of the UK’s pubs and bars have been on lockdown due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic for over 100 days and many are desperate to open in order to stay financially viable. As lockdown restrictions eased in England last weekend, the streets were filled with eager punters looking to enjoy a bit of normality.

    Lawrence Barton who owns three Birmingham venues (The Loft, The Village Inn and The Nightingale Club) and who is also the Festival Director for Birmingham Pride, spoke about how encouraged he feels after one of his venue’s takings were “in line with those of an average Saturday pre-lockdown”.

    Speaking about trading conditions, Barton told THEGAYUK

    “In spite of restrictions on customer numbers, volume of music, social distancing and a strict no bar service, one of our venues had takings that were in line with those of an average Saturday pre-lockdown. Meanwhile, despite takings at The Village Inn being fifty-five per cent down on pre-lockdown levels, these were in line with our forecasts. 

    “Reports in the media and elsewhere of widespread flouting of public health rules and requirements were not reflected here in Birmingham. I was enormously encouraged by the responsible behaviour demonstrated on the part of patrons in adhering to social distancing requirements and the pragmatic approach police adopted in ensuring adherence. 

    “I am confident that yesterday marks the start of a long road to recovery for both the sector and our economy as a whole.”

    Also commenting, Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said,

    “Last night was very encouraging for the region’s hospitality sector, and I want to thank the vast majority of people who followed social distancing guidelines and behaved very responsibly.

    “There is no question that it is a long way back, but last night will help to give people confidence that they can safely enjoy a trip to a restaurant or pub.

    “We have seen how dangerous this virus can be and, as we slowly ease lockdown measures, everyone must continue to follow the Government guidelines and keep up the basics of hand washing and social distancing.”

  • TODAY IN LGBT HISTORY | Marsha P. Johnson dies

    TODAY IN LGBT HISTORY | Marsha P. Johnson dies

    Marsha P Johnson was born in August 1945 in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Ms Johnson was found dead on the 6th of July 1992. She was 46-years-old at the time of her death.

    Ms Johnson was a drag performer and LGBT+ activist and usually used female pronouns for herself, but also referred to herself as “gay, as a transvestite or simply as a queen” She was a well-known character in the New York Greenwich district and is widely considered to be a key figure in the Stonewall Riots of June 1969.

    She was heavily involved in the advocacy of AIDS patients and homeless LGBT+ folx.

    When did Marsha P Johnson die?

    In 1992 Ms Johnson went missing on the 4th July, two days later her body turned up in the Hudson River, New York. Police and an autopsy ruled her death a suicide, but friends and relatives believe that she would never end her own life.

    The authorities, under pressure from the community, reclassified her death as “death to drowning from undetermined causes”.

    In the David France documentary film, The Death and Life of Marsha P Johnson, her death and its possible causes are discussed as large (available to stream on Netflix)

    Was her death an accident, suicide or something more sinister? This is the question that activist and crime victim advocate Victoria Cruz from the New York Anti-Violence Project has set out to determine as she launches her own investigation into the death of one of New York‘s most prominent LGBT figures.