Soho Kiss In

[Guest BeachBoy]

From the London Evening Standard:

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23941850-gay-rights-protest-at-soho-pub-that-ejected-two-men-for-kissing.do

Hundreds of gay rights' protesters are planning a "kiss-in" at a Soho pub today after the landlady kicked out two men for kissing.

Tory MP Alan Duncan, who is gay, backed the demonstration at the John Snow against what supporters of the couple claim was a clear example of homophobic discrimination.

The group, mobilised on Facebook and Twitter, is planning to hold a demonstration this evening where people lock lips with their partners for up to three hours.

Mr Duncan called it a "witty and powerful way of objecting to prejudice".

Jonathan Williams, 26, and James Bull, 23, told how they were asked to leave the pub in Broadwick Street on Wednesday after the landlady accused them of being "obscene".

Mr Williams, a financial journalist from east London, said: "About halfway through our first drink, a man approached us who said that our kissing was bothering him.

"We were kissing each other on the mouth, nothing that would generally be considered wrong to do in public. It wasn't indecent. There was no groping, our hands were on the table not on flesh. I don't think they would have acted that way if we were a straight couple and there was a public display of affection."

The pair brushed off the incident and carried on drinking at the pub, ordering several more drinks without any problems.

But just before closing time Mr Bull was putting his coat on to leave and gave Mr Williams a "peck on the lips". A woman claiming to be the landlady interrupted the pair and told them they had been warned and must leave the pub. The man who confronted them earlier joined in.

Mr Williams said: "At the point when I refused to leave, he moved the table out of the way and grabbed me by the jacket collar. He didn't do anything in the end because he was persuaded by people around him not to."

The woman refused to give her name and the pair left. A couple who had stuck up for them at the next table were also allegedly asked to leave. Mr Bull called the police when he got home, who came and took a statement.

A tearful Mr Bull, a charity volunteer, from Camden, said: "I was just in complete shock, I didn't know how to react. At the time I was feeling physically sick. I had to go to the toilets because I was shaking and feeling sick and I had to calm down."

The men were on their first date and had dinner earlier at a restaurant in Covent Garden.

Mr Williams said: "I was gobsmacked. I would be shocked if that happened anywhere, but I really don't expect that kind of behaviour in Soho. You couldn't really get a supposedly more gay friendly area of London."

He added that he was undecided if he would attend the demonstration, but would welcome an apology from the pub.

A drinker in the pub who complained to the management about the "inappropriate" kissing that led to the men being kicked out defended his actions saying he is not homophobic.

Gary from Richmond, who did not give his surname, called BBC 5 live this morning to say: "I'm a 57-year-old man out with my wife. I thought they were over the top.

"I have gay friends and lesbian friends. They were asked by the barman to moderate their behaviour, which they didn't do. It was more than a short kiss. It was a full on snog."

Neither John Snow or the Samuel Smith Old Brewery, which owns pub, chose to comment.

[Guest BeachBoy]

I posted this not only because of the kiss-in and the incident, but the thing I CANNOT STAND MOST that straight people say:

"I have gay friends and lesbian friends."

Because it's always, ALWAYS, followed by something completely ridiculous.

[Guest zipperzone]

I posted this not only because of the kiss-in and the incident, but the thing I CANNOT STAND MOST that straight people say:

"I have gay friends and lesbian friends."

Because it's always, ALWAYS, followed by something completely ridiculous.

I know what you mean. I always wonder if the "gay & lesbian friends" would consider the straights to be their friends. Just because straights KNOW gays, doesn't necessarily mean they are friends. But it makes them sound so fucking liberal to be so enlightened :hyper:

[Guest BeachBoy]

I know what you mean. I always wonder if the "gay & lesbian friends" would consider the straights to be their friends. Just because straights KNOW gays, doesn't necessarily mean they are friends. But it makes them sound so fucking liberal to be so enlightened :hyper:

Right. They keep us on the sidelines except when it's to prove their own point. I hate this mentality. I know way too many people who are friendly to me because I am the only (out) gay person they know. Pisses me off.