Pride of place

5:00pm Thursday 20th September 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Tom Jennings, covering Witney and West Oxfordshire. Call me on 01865 425403

A WITNEY pub is set to host the town’s first regular gay night in a bid to tackle isolation within the community.

The Over the Rainbow night will take place at The Butchers Arms in Corn Street on the first Saturday of every month.

It follows the success of the town’s annual gay pride event.

Organiser James Cunningham, 22, said: “We want to get more people to feel happy about their sexuality and be able to go out and express themselves in a safe environment.

“In bigger cities it is normal to see same-sex couples holding hands but a lot of people I know do feel intimidated to show public affection in Witney.

“I live in the town and I have received a number of homophobic comments in places in the past.”

He added: “By breaking down the barriers, by making people aware, hopefully it will change people’s opinions for the better. I want to celebrate equality and diversity in Witney and make it a more accepting place.

“But I’m not trying to make it an exclusive event. I want to create a community event that everyone can enjoy.”

The first event will take place on October 5 from 6pm and Mr Cunningham has already confirmed live music and two drag acts to perform.

If the monthly events are successful, he hopes to increase it to fortnightly or weekly.

Mr Cunningham also hopes the event will help fund the annual gay pride festivities.

Andrew Coggins, landlord of the Butchers Arms, said: “We hosted the pride event for the first time this year and it was quite popular.”

Mr Coggins said he hoped the event would cater for the town’s gay community and combat any isolation people may feel. “I hope it will be a success for straight and gay people,” he said. “It will be something different for Witney and I hope everyone supports it.”

Andrew Coles, West Oxfordshire District Council member for Witney Central, said: “I think it’s a great new event for the town.

“It will give a home and a safe haven to the LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] community in Witney, which they currently lack.

“The pride events have been running for about six years and have been popular and successful. This is the next step.”

But he added: “I think it is wrong to think homophobia does not exist any more. We have moved really far in recent years but homophobic bullying still happens, especially in schools.”

Comments (3)

5:31pm Thu 20 Sep 12

BigAlBiker says...

I can understand LBGT wanting us all to mix and people not to be afraid to chat etc, but why book two drag acts for the first night?

Stereotyping perhaps? I would have thought a simple decent band would have been a great start to the event and build it up from there.
I can understand LBGT wanting us all to mix and people not to be afraid to chat etc, but why book two drag acts for the first night? Stereotyping perhaps? I would have thought a simple decent band would have been a great start to the event and build it up from there. BigAlBiker

2:03pm Fri 21 Sep 12

deantheguvnor says...

I think you're forgetting that drag acts have been part of "strait" culture for decades now.
There is a band on and Indeed the annual Pride night had many performers of all persuasions.
I think you're forgetting that drag acts have been part of "strait" culture for decades now. There is a band on and Indeed the annual Pride night had many performers of all persuasions. deantheguvnor

2:49pm Fri 21 Sep 12

JamesCunningham says...

I appreciate your comments but as I said when I organised this event, this is a community event and is certainly not meant to further isolate people through specific labels. "Drag Queens" have been a part of "Gay Culture" for many years. We have other acts playing that identify themselves as "straight" and in no way intend to make this an exclusive LGBT event we welcome everyone to come and celebrate their differences as one as a community. Many Thanks, Organiser :)
I appreciate your comments but as I said when I organised this event, this is a community event and is certainly not meant to further isolate people through specific labels. "Drag Queens" have been a part of "Gay Culture" for many years. We have other acts playing that identify themselves as "straight" and in no way intend to make this an exclusive LGBT event we welcome everyone to come and celebrate their differences as one as a community. Many Thanks, Organiser :) JamesCunningham

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