Is London’s LGBT scene anti-disability?

Activists are planning to chain themselves to gay bars by September unless their demands for action are met.

LGBT+ Disability activists are planning a “Disability Queer Riot” in London because not one single gay bar in London is fully accessible, they allege.

The group have made demands that include,

• Equality over profit – LGBT+ venues just stop pretending you are not under to be accessible – you know you should be – are you doing everything you can?
• Access 4 All – we’ll chain ourselves to the steps by September if you don’t make an explicit statement of your intentions
• MORE TALK LESS ACTION! LGBT+ FREEDOM FOR ALL!

The group are planning to meet trainee lawyer, Josh, who is also a Queer Tours of London – A Mince Through time’ guide, on the 15th July in Soho Square to demonstrate in central London. The organisers have said they’ll chain themselves to steps unless bars make an “explicit statement of intentions”

Josh Hepple, said,

“LGBT+ venues just stop pretending you are not under to be accessible – you know you should be – are you doing everything you can? We demand ‘Equality over profit’ and ‘Access 4 All’ – we’ll chain ourselves to the steps by September if you don’t make an explicit statement of your intentions.” 

Kevin Wilson said,

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”Have you ever been somewhere that you wanted to visit but told that you can’t because of accessibility, health and safety or sorry if you come in you can’t get to the toilet or the classic it’s too busy. Well, I for one often get almost all of these answers when trying to access gay bars and clubs on the London LGBT+ scene, occasions I’m with friends and they are allowed to get in and I’m now posing an issue. For those that has disabled facilities the toilets are often used as store rooms or too small. I just can’t win. This gives disabled LGBT+ plus people the impression as to not out seemingly the venues are not aware of intersectionality I’m black, gay, disabled but most of all I’m a human being with the same desires as those who are able bodied. I just have to do things in an orderly fashion”.