Homophobia or misunderstanding?

This is an open letter sent by Mark Elliot.

Dear Sir

I feel absolutely compelled to contact you in response to a truly disgusting situation
I experienced at one of the venues you provide security for.

The venue is Bluu Bar, Northern Quarter, Manchester

My name is Mark and I visited this bar assuming as your company names states that it was a professionally run bar, this also being inclusive of the door security. My experience sadly dictated otherwise. I visited the venue with a person I was on a date with and we are both gay males.

We sat opposite two female patrons who were also together and enjoying subtle intimacy, i.e. kissing and cuddling as couples do.

They had clearly been there for some time and nothing at all was said to them regarding public showing of affection between same sex couples. We also engaged in such activity only to be told by your door man this was not acceptable, his words being and I quote "not in this bar" to which we voiced our very strong objections to being treated any differently to the two females engaging in the same intimacy. The doorman then asked us to leave while also being told by other patrons of the bar that his actions where completely unacceptable. I will openly admit we were verbally aggressive in response to his actions, not physically, verbally! I myself was man handled out of the bar and when I protested at such aggressive action It was only met with further man handling.

I have contacted the Manchester Evening News Paper this morning and they tell me they are interested in covering this story, I have also been in contact with the bar itself, the area manager and the temporary GM of the venue to voice my objections/concerns regarding the impact of this behavior and the potentially catastrophic affect it could have on your business if not handled correctly.

I have lived in this city for 14 years and never have I been treated in such a homophobic and aggressive manner, I find his actions to not only be morally wrong but criminally from the moment he laid his hands on me.

I am also in contact with Manchester City Council and the local police who are most concerned about this matter and asked me to keep them informed of developments.

I must insist on nothing less than a formal apology in writing from the the bar itself and the member of staff involved. I am sure you agree in our modern progressive society this behavior is totally unacceptable and requires the strongest possible response.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind Regards

Mark Elliott

What have your experiences been in the Northern Quarter and across other parts of the wider city??

Email us at INFO@canal-st.co.uk we would like to hear about your experiences..

Published: 7-Mar-2013: (1800)