Rally held to save London LGBTQ+-friendly venue

Several protesters have congregated at a demonstration outside an LGBTQ+-friendly venue facing potential closure in east London.

According to the rally’s organisers, the owners of Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club (BGWMC) wish to sell the club as soon as possible, and the programming team has received eviction threats.

According to ‘BBC’, Equity, the actor’s union, reports it is engaged in “constructive dialogue with the owners to prevent the closure of live performance” at the venue where some scenes from the Netflix drama Baby Reindeer were filmed.

“A potential loss of another London venue for queer nightlife is devastating and represents a significant loss of work for performers in the drag and cabaret sector,” said a spokesperson for the Save Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club campaign.

Data from the Greater London Authority shows that more than half of London’s LGBTQ+ venues closed between 2006 and 2022.

Image Credit: Canva

London Assembly member Elly Baker remarked: “It’s an absolute tragedy that the venue is facing closure... particularly given the loss of work it will bring to performers at the beginning of their careers.”

In a statement, Equity said: “We are seeking assurances that any sale will guarantee the continuation of BGWMC as an LGBTQ+ performance space. We also wish to secure a guarantee that the community of performers and supporters will have the opportunity to fundraise and purchase the venue for shared ownership. This would allow BGWMC to continue its more than 100-year legacy as a member-owned club.”

A spokesperson for the London mayor’s office commented: “Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club is a much-loved cultural and LGBTQI+ event program, and it’s deeply concerning that it is facing closure. The program plays a crucial role in our capital’s creative ecosystem, providing a platform for emerging and established performers, and the venue is also a popular spot for TV, film, and fashion shoots.” They added: “City Hall’s Culture and Community Spaces at Risk team is collaborating closely with the events program team to offer support and guidance.”

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