More like this
Fury as gay men ‘thrown out of pub for kissing’
Protests planned after gay couple told to leave the John Snow pub in London’s Soho district
The folly of trying to throw a same sex couple out of a bar in Soho, the gay district of London's West End, for kissing is fast becoming apparent to the landlord of the John Snow pub.
Earlier this week two men, Jonathan Williams and James Bull, were ejected from the boozer after staff took exception to them "snogging". But their treatment at the hands of the bar staff has not gone down well, particularly after Williams wrote of his anger on Twitter and sparked a furious response among the gay community.
Several campaign groups have sprung up and couples, gay and straight, have been plotting revenge on the pub. Hundreds of people have pledged to attend "kiss-ins" at the pub and other hostelries owned by the Samuel Smith brewery. More than 500 people signed up to attend a Facebook-organised 'Gay kiss-in' at the John Snow tonight.
Another event, with the catchy title 'Queers & Allies Kiss-in Protest Against Homophobia at John Snow pub, Soho', has been arranged for April 21. By Friday lunchtime more than 700 people had pledged to turn up.
Anger about the couple's treatment spread quickly after Williams posted a message on Twitter after the date on Wednesday that said: "Seven years in London & I've never been made to feel bad for being gay. 45 mins ago the John Snow pub, W1F had me removed for kissing a date."
Bull went one further and lodged a complaint with the police. He said: "I felt so belittled, and to be made to feel so dirty and cheap over something like that – it's just wrong."
Not only did news of the incident turn the pair into social networking heroes and gay rights figureheads, it also landed them on the front page of the Guardian and earned them a spot on the Jeremy Vine show on Radio 2. The Guardian website even ran a live blog on Friday chronicling reaction to the story.
Their treatment does raise issues about tolerance and what constitutes acceptable behaviour. While pub landlords are allowed to eject whoever they please, other laws demand equal treatment for all. The police investigation is "ongoing".
The good news is that the couple do plan to go on a second date, but only after Easter when the dust will hopefully have settled on their first night out together. ·
Comments are now closed on this article
Comments
When homosexuality was de-criminalised in the late 1960s the primary reason was the prevention of blackmail. The law permitted homosexual acts provided that they were conducted "by consenting adults in private" and the only thing which has changed since then is the age of majority. It was 21 years at the time the law changed, became 18 when the age of majority was reduced and the Blair government bought it down to 16 in order to equalise it with the age of consent for girls. Legally nothing else has changed. There have been laws passed to prevent discrimination, as there should be in a civilised country, but as the law stands the act MUST be "IN PRIVATE". I would be very surprised if the police can do anything. They are, of course, under an obligation to investigate a complaint, but that is all. As for the perpetrator claiming victim status, well that is just a sign of the times is it not. Being "made to feel dirty and cheap" is actually his interpretation of discovering the hard way that his behaviour is unacceptable to the majority of people. Welcome to the real world.
First of all I am shocked they were thrown out of a pub in London! I thought there was a gay capital of the world! Second, I think some people do certain things to shock! They must have known if they did that in a place that wasn't a gay pub or club they would have stood out and be noticed! There is always someone who tries.... next a couple will try and have sex in a pub and shout, "Its our rights!!!!" Well they should have gone to a gay club/pub. No one would have bothered them or give a hoot! Finally I 100% agree with the landlord! I hope no one causes trouble for the owner of the pub.
Sorry Father, your views are in a distinct minority these days I'm happy to say. I'm a straight man but i couldn't care less that two gay men were kissing in a bar. i think when straight couples commit PDA, public display of affection, it's pretty tacky too, but that's just OPS, other people's sht. go peddle your beliefs elsewhere. the people are on to the hoax..
Revolting!! Blokes kissing in pubs how low has England fallen??
Maybe some Christians should attend and do likewise, but against the liberal tirade of homosexuals and their "friends"!
It really makes the mind boggle at the state of affairs in Great Britain, when morals are at an all time low, and no one respects anyone else. The landlord and landlady have a moral duty to uphold civil and civic morals in the public house they run.
Would they allow other perverts to continue using their establishment if it offended their patrons? No. So why make allowances for those that commit sodomy?