Katy Perry reacts to closure of G-A-Y bar in Soho, London

Famous astronaut Katy Perry has also joined those expressing despair at the news that London’s gay bars have closed.

Earlier this month, it was announced that the famous venue in the heart of Soho would be closing, with owner Jeremy Joseph focusing on his business around the nightclub’s sister venue, Gay at Heaven. On Monday (October 13th), he posted: Instagram The bar was already closed and he gave her the key.

The closure prompted a wave of sadness, not only from the drag queens and performers who attended the venue, but also from LGBTQ+ people, many of whom were enjoying their first night there.

This time, a video has been released in which “Dark Horse” singer Perry expresses his regrets. In a video taken from a show at London’s O2 Arena on Monday night, she asks: “Did you say GAY is closing? That GAY is closing? The club? Here?”

@abbielily_ Long live gay #KatypePerry #lifetime tour #lifelonglondon #gay #club ♬ Original song – Shrimp

When it was confirmed, she said: “They kept gays out, and oh my goodness. [they]? ” There was a big cheer from the audience.

“We just bring gay people here,” she added. “They can’t silence us. We’re only going to get louder and gayer.”

Earlier this month, Joseph explained that part of the reason for the closure was as a result of Haven’s rent review. Although it was advantageous to him, it was still a large enough increase to mean that GAY had to be shut down.

In a lengthy post, he lamented that Old Compton Street had “lost its LGBT identity”. He put GAY up for sale in January.

The closure follows the closure of GAY Late, which Joseph announced in 2023, citing a spike in attacks on customers and employees and an increase in construction and development work in the area.

It also follows the loss of East London’s The Glory, with the opening of The Divine filling the void. Meanwhile, community groups have been fighting for the reopening of historic venues such as The Black Cap in Camden and The Joiners Arms in Tower Hamlets.

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