Calls for more Canterbury LGBTQ+ safe spaces as community still faces ‘verbal and physical abuse’

Pride Month has arrived, providing the perfect chance to celebrate all things love and acceptance. Across Kent there are an array of wonderful festivals and events to take part throughout June and the summer months.

Pride Canterbury is arguably Kent’s biggest annual LGBTQ+ celebration, which saw thousands of people flock to the historic city this weekend for a two day event full of colour, music, entertainment, celebrity guests and more. Since beginning in 2016, the importance that the festival holds for the Kent and Canterbury LGBTQ+ community is undeniable, however some feel that the city is still lacking in a key area.

“I’d like to see a bigger discussion around safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community,” explained Jon Fitter-Harding, Marketing and Sponsorship Director for Pride Canterbury. “Limes is gone, that was the only LGBT bar in Canterbury.

Read more: ‘Pride honours those who fought for our rights – which can still be taken away’

“Now that’s shut, people are looking for another bar where they know where they will be safe and have a good night out. You think about bars, the only night which is directly targeted at the LGBT community in the city is Glitterbomb.

“What I’d like is for others to step forward and say ‘we can give you a safe space’. I look at the Lady Luck for instance, they’re really hot on it and it’s that kind of positive attitude which will create a sense of safety in that bar – I know they’ve got my back if something’s happening.”

Since opening in 2009, the Lady Luck has grown to be a very popular and well established venue, known just as well for its music nights as its inclusivity to all walks of life. Gemma Porter, manager of the rock ‘n’ roll bar said: “In talking to friends and customers who are LGBTQIA+, they do find that a lot of places in Canterbury are very friendly, all very welcoming, they feel safe in a lot of places in the town.

“However, improvement does still need to be made as a whole because a lot of people I know do still suffer from verbal or sometimes even physical abuse just because of who they are. Everyone should have the right to be safe when they go out at night without worry of being abused by anyone.

“It would be lovely to see a few more venues doing some more LGBTQIA+ event nights, obviously there are things like Glitterbomb which have been long running. As long as places are safe inclusive spaces for everyone, I don’t think things necessarily need to be specific towards the community.”

This March, the Lady Luck won the Best Customer Experience award at the Best Bar None awards, an initiative established to recognise ‘responsible premises and to improve operating standards in the evening and night-time economy.’ Gemma continued: “One of the things Best Bar None promotes is just making sure that businesses are up on their staff training, to make sure that staff are aware and looking out for vulnerable customers, looking out for people that might need any assistance.

“We’ve always strived to be a very safe and inclusive venue for everyone. Our staff are trained as well quite thoroughly to make sure that they’re looking out for any vulnerable people and make sure that people are having a safe night out, that’s something we’re really keen on promoting.

“We want everybody to be able to come out, have a good time regardless of what orientation they are. Everybody should be able to have the right to a safe night out, wherever they go.”

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