With large-scale queer scenes in cities like Manchester and London, it might be easy to overlook the LGBT+ community in Nottingham. But, according to Sam Harvey, our city is still an important place for young queer people. He tells us more about his experience and the need for safe spaces…
Ever since the first modern gay bar opened in Regents Street London in 1912, members of the LGBT+ community have sought to create spaces where they can foster a sense of community, feel safe being open about their authentic selves and exist free from persecution, violence and ridicule. I myself am a gay man and find the LGBT+ community is a very important part of my life. It gave me a sense of belonging after moving away from home for the first time for university and through it I have come to know many lifelong friends and (somehow) a partner.
That’s why, with the rights of the LGBT+ community being at a more precarious point than they have ever been in the last ten years, it’s so important for us to come together in support of one another.
After leaving university, I briefly moved to Manchester for a year with work before returning to Nottingham in the midst of the pandemic. It was an eye-opening experience for me and allowed me to contrast first-hand the differences between LGBT+ venues, communities and experiences in a larger metropolis such as Manchester compared to a smaller city like Nottingham.
You need only slightly scratch the surface to see the rich and vibrant LGBT+ culture present in Nottingham
It would be a fair assumption to say that the LGBT+ scene in Nottingham is very different from that of Manchester. We don’t have a ‘Gay Village’, a regular LGBT+ clubbing venue, and gay bars are very few and far between. Manchester, by comparison, has an entire city centre district dedicated to LGBT+ friendly bars, venues, businesses and more. It boasts one of the largest and most accepting queer communities in Britain, if not Europe as a whole.
But you need only slightly scratch the surface to see the rich and vibrant LGBT+ culture present in Nottingham. In the past few months there have been several more LGBT+ venues open, expanding the nightlife scene and filling the gap left by the closure of other clubs in the wake of the pandemic. And long-standing pubs such as The New Foresters and The Lord Roberts have been providing the community with a safe space and a welcome atmosphere for years.
Many members of the LGBT+ community have a predisposition towards moving to larger cities in order to find more diverse and accepting communities, escape persecution and prejudice, or simply for more mundane reasons (such as moving for work, as I did). However, it’s also important to realise that smaller cities can be just as capable of fostering a vibrant LGBT+ culture.
There is a wealth of sports groups, religious organisations, coffee shops, social groups and support networks. One only needs to know where to look
In the wake of the pandemic, as studies are showing worsening mental health rates and we are seeing a stronger pushback against the LGBT+ community it is more important than ever that we find these safe spaces where we are free to be ourselves and meet like-minded people. It’s also important to remember that the queer community isn’t all about drinking culture and nights out - as I’ve found through my work with Notts-based charity LGBT+ Notts Network, there is a wealth of sports groups, religious organisations, coffee shops, social groups and support networks. One only needs to know where to look.
Having a visible presence in a city regardless of the size does wonders to increase acceptance and support of the LGBT+ communities; I’m sure we’ve all soaked in the flags on the pavement around Broad Street and the Lace Market. And the next step up from this is, on a social level at least, to ensure that the queer community feels that there are places throughout the city where they feel safe and open to be themselves. Nottingham is doing such a good job of that already, and I for one can’t wait to see how the city and the community will continue to grow.
@spamuel121
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