Sassy you might well know what its like in the Vanilla bar being in Manchester. I think that is the worst side of lesbian life that anyone newly out, doubting their sexuality or bisexual could possibly encounter. The mens/mixed bars are always the better ones. Less attitudes to contend with for starters. The one reason lesbian/women's bars and nights on the whole tend to fail is that there are more people who's faces/haircuts/sexualities don't fit the criteria than those that do! There seems to be very little room in lesbian scene life for fluidity and individuality.
Its getting more and more common now for people of all types to get refused entry at all to gay bars, something I have noticed a hell of a lot in Manchester in the last 2-3 years. The nicer bars all have door pickers as opposed to bouncers. If you are a hen party or 40's hetero couple then you have a very limited number of bars that will welcome your custom.
Kiss sums it up - its a reciprocal thing. As soon as me and the missus can kiss and be affectionate in predominantly straight spaces then we will welcome everyone into the few and far between spaces where we can go and actually be ourselves and not worry about funny looks or comments. Again, it's not right but it's the way it is and seems to be a long way from changing.
The thing that strikes me about the bar in the OP is that it sounds like a hetero club that is hosting a gay night, correct me if I'm wrong. There is sometimes a big difference between the real gay scene and the "cash in" scene. We have it here in Barnsley. Gay night is Tuesday nights and thats it, there is nothing else at any other time. The people here are fiercely protective of it and if the drag queen that hosts is sniffs a straight couple then they are basically tormented about it and most leave, Its not right but it happens. The full time gay bars are a much nicer place to be and are more accepting,
Lesbians are always the worst for the segregation/discrimination thing. One minute they will be all for equality etc and then down at a major lesbian London bar tucking notes in the thong of a stripper -makes no sense really. The common perception that I have come across is that most gay folks are inherently distrustful of bisexuals anyway and that whilst the majority of straight men in a gay club are not there just hanging out with a friend, the straight woman (perhaps even the bi woman) is a hell of a lot less welcome as she is either hanging off the arm of some gay bloke, in denial or not a proper lesbian and therefore off limits anyway - not my opinion btw, just the way it always plays out!!
Hope this makes some sense and doesn't come across as a rant as its not intended that way. Its late and I am probably making a balls of this but never mind eh!!
These lyrics mean so much to me in so many ways (particularly the bold bit): Second Skin by The Chameleons
One cold damp evening
The world stood still
I watched as I held my breath
A silhouette I thought I knew
Came through
And someone spoke to me
Whispered in my ear
This fantasy's for you
Fantasies are "in" this year
My whole life passed before my eyes
I thought
What they say is true
I shed my skin and my disguise
And cold, numb and naked
I emerged from my cocoon
And a half remembered tune
Played softly in my head
Then he turned smiling
And said
I realise a miracle is due
I dedicate this melody to you
But is this the stuff dreams are made of?
If this is the stuff dreams are made of
No wonder I feel like I'm floating on air
Everywhere
It feels like I'm everywhere
It's like you fail to make the connection
You know how vital it is
Or when something slips through your fingers
You know how precious it is
Well you reach the point where you know
It's only your second skin
Someone's banging on my door
:cry:
Does anyone know if all the stories that are posted are vetted by mods first?? Just a bit curious as one of the stories up at the moment seems a bit close to the bone (pardon the pun!!)
Thanks all!!
Why do Sony spend so much money on adverts for their Bravia tellys using colour as the big draw to buy one??? I can see how nice and pretty and eyecatching the colours are on my existing one so which smart arsed marketing bloke decided to show me just how much I don't need a Bravia telly to get the ful advert experience eh!!!
Is it just me that thinks like this ( i.e. like the lovechild of a gangbang between Quincy, Columbo, Angela Lansbury and the entire crew of Watchdog )????
A lot of people have been stung by this, possible as many as 170,000 according to a news story I saw.
Whilst I don't consider the hampers good value etc they are a good way for low income families and people who are poor savers to get something sorted will in advance for Xmas.
My own opinion for what its worth is that people would be better off buying a weekly amount in stamps for whatever supermarket you go to and saving them all year as most of the big stores offer this and have games, music, books, perfume, smellies, clothes and food in them, basically a lot of the things that the hamper clubs offer but at much better prices and a damn sight more reliably than the hamper clubs too.
I know this is little comfort to those stung by it, these things always seem a safe enough bet, just hope that anyone affected is able to have a happy festive season :therethere:
Good luck with the job and with everything, congratulations on achieving and overcoming so much and take good care of you and yours always
Lava x x
Race ya :twisted: 
xxx
) - please note this is only my opinion!!! I can see what they are trying to do but I don't think the gap in the market is really big enough to require something like this to fill it!
