It was the early summer of 1977. By now it was clear to me that I was attracted to other men. I called the Samaritans and they referred me to the Scottish Minorities Group (SMG).
I called the SMG Befriending Service, which was skillfully established and, as I recall, operated most evenings. Two of their team met me in town and we went for tea where we talked about being gay and what it meant for me. It was really helpful and professional and obviously a well-established non-directive counselling service with trained volunteers (the Samaritans clearly saw fit to propose it and I suppose they had done their due diligence). My befrienders were John Compass (who was an established estate agent and also the person who had project-managed the acquisition of the gay centre in Broughton Street) and a guy called Ted who was a teacher. I remained friends with John for many years. Both of these wonderful men possess now long since passed away. I saw many others come into the community via the Befrienders. I joined the Befriending team myself some years later.
Shortly after I met John and Ted, I was invited to advance to the Gay Centre in Broughton Street. This was
Gay Glasgow
Glasgow is the biggest city in Scotland, established for its cool and modern atmosphere where everyone is welcome. In truth, it was voted the “friendliest city in the world”! Scotland as a whole is recognised worldwide for its inclusive world and progressive LGBTQ legislation, and that openness is particularly apparent in Glasgow. Its vibrant LGBTQ scene includes Scotland's oldest homosexual bar and its biggest LGBTQ festival in the form of Glasgow Self-acceptance. Universities in the metropolis help draw in a diverse and varied crowd, making Glasgow a current yet still grounded city.
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Glasgow Gay Bars
Glasgow Gay Bars
GayMapper brings you information about gay bars and cruising bars in the city. Here are the top choices, scan more about these bars or click below to see listings of all gay venues in this city.
Glasgow Gay Bars
Recommended homosexual friendly hotels in Glasgow
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Queer Places
Recently I inherited (after a colleague retired) a large collection of LGBT magazines and ephemera stretching back to the adv 1980s. These include numerous editions of Gay Scotland and Gay Times, which are helpful resources when examining the development of LGBT culture over the past 30 years.
Take, for example, this issue of Gay Scotland from Jan/Feb 1984 – a Science Fiction special. At this time the magazine had a circulation of around 8,000 with the majority of readers subscribing or buying a copy from gay bars and clubs. What is noticeable from the content is that the magazine contains significantly less advertising space than more recent magazines, and offers a plentiful supply of news items, which are unsurprisingly related to LGBT interests and the continuing pursuit of equality and an end to discrimination.
What interested me was the section ‘Scenearound’ detailing places and spaces for LGBT Scots to socialise. A snapshot of the gay ‘scene’ in 1984 offers some opportunity to consider how the ‘scene’ had developed after 1980. There were gay/mixed spaces prior to 1980; in Glasgow; there was the Close Thea
Explore the Optimal Gay Bars in Glasgow
Whether you’re a local or visiting from out of town, Glasgow’s gay bars offer a unique and exciting experience. The city’s gay scene is centred around the Merchant Municipality and the surrounding areas, where you’ll find a variety of bars and clubs to choose from. Some of the most popular gay bars in Glasgow include The Corset Club, Delmonicas, The Polo Lounge, and The Underground. Each of these bars has its own one-of-a-kind atmosphere and style, making them well worth a visit.
History of LGBTQ+ Bars in Glasgow
Glasgow has a long and rich history of LGBTQ+ bars and clubs, dating back to the early 20th century. The city’s LGBTQ+ scene has evolved over the years, reflecting the modifying attitudes towards the community.
One of the oldest lgbtq+ bars in Glasgow is The Waterloo Bar, which has been operating since the 1940s. The prevent has a rich history and was once a popular spot for sailors and soldiers during Earth War II. Today, The Waterloo Bar remains a popular spot for the LGBTQ+ community and is known for its kind and welcoming atmosphere.
Another iconic gay bar in Glasgow is Delmonica’s, which opened in th