I have a hankering for the days when queer was underground, when gay was unmentionable and euphemisms were rife. The unmarried uncle, the schoolmistresses who shared a house, the Catholic priest...

I'm not for a moment suggesting that the homophobia which created that situation was good, but I do think that what we in the LGBT communities have experienced in recent decades is perhaps less like liberation and more like assimilation. We should be celebrating diversity, not conformity.

And I think the wander down the back streets to the less-than appealing front door, where you perhaps had to ring a bell next to a sign that said 'members only', was rewarded with the feeling of achievement you felt by joining that elite group of queers inside.

And what the fuck is the idea of making every gay venue out of chrome, glass and bad artwork?

go back to 'About me'