The following letter, denouncing homophobic discrimination at the Balare club in
Cambridge, has been sent to the club, Varsity, TCS and various student
committees, whilst the incident has been reported to the police. The campaign
has won support from the Cambridge University Student Union LBGT executive, and
from the majority of students at Jesus College, gaining 150 signatures in one
night alone.
To the Management
We attended your ‘Rumboogie’ night on Wednesday 2nd March, which we have
previously enjoyed very much. Unfortunately on this occasion we were not able to
enjoy our evening to the same extent. We noticed on at least two occasions your
bouncers forcibly intervening to separate gay couples from dancing and kissing,
which was not the case with respect to heterosexual couples. On the first
occasion, some time between 11:15 and 11:30, a gay couple kissing were pointed
at and broken up by bouncers previously standing at the second set of open
doors. Several of our friends observed a second occasion taking place on the
dance floor. A different gay couple were dancing and once again the bouncers
intervened to prevent this.
We would like to draw your attention to Article 8 (The Right to Respect for
Private and Family Life) of the European Convention on Human Rights enforced in
the United Kingdom under the Human Rights Act 1998:
‘Everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life, his home and
his correspondence’.
And in addition Article 14, the Prohibition of Discrimination, which provides
that:
‘The enjoyment of the rights and freedoms set forth in this Convention shall be
secured without discrimination on any ground such as sex, race, colour,
language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin,
association with a national minority, property, birth or other status.’
Whilst we are aware that this only applies directly to public authorities the
inferences are quite clear, in that these principles should be respected by all
citizens.
Obviously these incidents constitute deplorable behaviour on the part of your
bouncers, and as a result reflects badly on your establishment, as we are sure
you will agree. Although we hope these were isolated incidents we expect
suitable measures to be taken to ensure no repetition of this occurs. We are
sure that a letter of apology to CUSU, LBGT (Cambridge University Student Union,
LesBiGayTrans) and a review of your guidelines with regards to security would go
a long way in restoring our confidence in Balare nightclub.
Please find attached a list of signatures in support. A copy of this letter will
be forwarded to all the college student unions, CUSU LBGT, Varsity and TCS
newspapers. Furthermore since this evening was supported by the Hawks club they
will receive a copy. We look forward to receiving your acknowledgement of
receipt of this letter.
Yours faithfully
Mark Fletcher (Welfare Officer)
Georgia McCollum
Gemma Woolley
Michael Flood
Michael Talbot
Martha Stickings
Louise Wallace
Charlie Williamson
Julian Santos
