Drag Race star Bimini warns nightclub closures 'erode the soul' of LGBTQ+ communities

Drag Race star Bimini warns nightclub closures 'erode the soul' of LGBTQ+ communities Drag artist and musician Bimini has warned that the rise in closures of nightclubs and music venues is eroding the "soul" of LGBTQ+ communities, as over half of queer spaces have shut down RuPaul's Drag Race star Bimini has spoken about the importance of queer spaces amid the rise in closures of night-time venues. The drag artist and musician warned that the closures of nightclubs and music venues is eroding the "soul" of LGBTQ+ communities. Speaking on BBC Newsnight, Bimini said: “Nightclubs and venues are sometimes the first place people get to go to meet other people like themselves. They're so important to our culture and the fabric of our society." Bimini also criticised the impact of residential developments on established nightlife districts, arguing that venues with deep cultural roots are increasingly being pushed out, adding: "It takes out the soul and the heart and the grit of it." According to London Authority data, over half of all queer spaces shut down between 2006 and 2022 (dropping from 125 to 50 venues). Recent high-profile closures include G-A-Y Bar in Soho, east London's The Glory, and Brighton staples R-Bar and Charles Street Tap. In an announcement post on Instagram, R-Bar management said they were "absolutely devastated" to be losing another LGBTQ+ venue in Brighton, at a time "when safe queer spaces are more important than ever", and just a few days after Charles Street Tap also announced that they will be closing their doors for good in September. They called on the community to support local LGBTQ+ venues going forwards, explaining that these spaces "can only survive if we continue to use them". Within London, Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has backed nightlife in a string of rows with a council, amid their proposals to prevent new pubs and bars from opening in Soho and the West End and have existing ones serve last orders by 10pm. There were also plans to ban so-called “vertical drinking” in the area. According to that draft proposal, the council is “concerned” about restaurants and bars in the West End operating as “vertical drinking premises, where customers consume alcohol whilst standing throughout the evening.” There are also plans to label Mayfair and Victoria as special zones, restricting nightlife due to noise and other “nuisance behaviours”. Sir Sadiq wrote in a formal letter to the council: “London’s bars, clubs, pubs, and live music venues are the beating heart of our global city, bringing communities together and filling our streets with life and laughter. “The capital’s nightlife sector supports 630,000 jobs and contributes more than £21 billion to Britain’s economy every year. Yet, for too long, an outdated, inconsistent, and illogical licensing system has treated London’s nightlife like a luxury, rather than recognising it for the essential and extraordinary national asset it is.”