Pride DRAMA: Throwing the ToY out with the pram, or protecting LGBTQ spaces?

By Huw James

Drama hit York’s LGBTQ community this week as Thomas’s of York told York Pride to ‘Sashay Away’, as York Pride announced that “Proud at Thomas’s Bar has come to an end.”

The split came about following Thomas’s bar decided to take itself in “a different direction”. York Pride tells Vision this refers to the decision to replace resident Drag DJ of two years, Queenie Buffay, with a non-drag DJ.

Proud describes itself as “York’s big LGBT+ night out”, a safe space for LGBTQ customers, many of whom are students, to explore and express their gender and sexuality in peace. Proud features drag performers and camp classics for a small fee in aide of the annual Pride Parade.

York Pride tell Vision that “as a volunteer-run Charity, Proud is a major fundraising stream and to be told the event couldn’t be held any longer at Thomas’s Bar, so close to our main York Pride event, is disappointing”.

In addition to Proud, Thomas’s Bar is host to University of York’s LGBTQ Social Icebreaker, a termly event that never fails to attract a huge sparkling crowd of LGBTQ students. Kelly Blair, owner of Thomas’s of York, pointed out that “students may moan about our prices, but Thomas’s will always welcome and offer a safe and fun environment to students”.

Maria Nikolova, LGBTQ Social Chair, confirmed that “Icebreaker will continue to finish at Thomas’s” and
added that to her understanding “the divide has happened because of differing views on the event itself and how its run and not because of the bar’s attitude towards the LGBTQ community”.

Courtesy of Queenie Buffay

Buffay told Vision: “My two year long residency at Thomas’s coming to an end is
of course, disappointing. My Facebook announcement on Tuesday conveyed what a joy and pleasure it has been working on such a small, but friendly scene – which was supported by a large number of comments and well wishes That being said I wish Kelly all the best with her new weekend line up of DJ’s. I am told there have been a small number of issues with daytime customers questioning what type of bar Thomas’s really is – my response is of course it is a pub for everybody. However on the rare opportunity of a night off I will particularly enjoy being on the fun side of the bar sampling the new cocktail menu.”

Rainbow UK
Wikimedia Commons

Blair labelled York Pride’s announcement as “#Alternativefacts” explaining “Every Proud Saturday, someone asks me what they pay an entry for as nothing special goes on on Proud nights, or ask me to get them in free because they disagree with paying the entry.” Blair disputes the insinuation that Thomas’s
doesn’t welcome LGBTQ patrons, highlighting “we have never turned our back on the community”.

Thomas’s decision comes at a time when many LGBTQ Prides across the UK are struggling for funding in an environment of government cuts and falling donations. Leicester Pride, for instance, announced its Pride may be cancelled following a funding crisis. Across the UK LGBTQ venues are closing or changing clientele, meanwhile LGBTQ-phobic hate crimes are increasing.

Former LGBTQ Social Chair Daniel Bowen defended Thomas’s place as a home for LGBTQ students through their accommodation of Icebreaker “even when we ended up bringing double the number of forecast students with no prior notice”, and said that they “work to make students feel safe”.

Excitingly Blair said “As a goodwill gesture this Saturday, come in with 1 of your old Pride bands we’ll give you a token for a free drink to the value of £5”. Yes, that’s right, free drinks.

Bowen welcomed the offer of a free drink, however added “It clashes with Marmite though… so it’s a difficult choice. ”.

This Saturday, Marmite, the YUSU club night’s, theme is The RuPaul Extravaganza – not without its own controversy – so LGBTQ students are left with the choice of Drag vs. Free Booze without drag… or revision.

York Pride told Vision “it’s imperative we can provide safe events for our community to enjoy” they add they “are therefore thrilled with the offers we have received regarding future Proud and York Pride events and hope to have some exciting announcements soon!”

York Pride is on Saturday 10 June. It is open to everyone and free on the day, and it supports other LGBT+ projects in York and North Yorkshire. Hold Hands with Pride will be the theme of York Pride 2017, shedding light on the difficulty LGBT individuals face when deciding whether they feel comfortable enough to hold their partner’s hand in public.

To support the parade either with your presence or donations click here.