Jozi Harty
Copenhagen has many forms of entertainment for the LGBTQIA+ community, but these safe spaces remain a necessity for the community.
Pride flags decorate the interior of local gay bar, Never mind. The bar reopened last year in June, seeking a bigger and more suitable location to entertain.
Image: Justin Fung
Copenhagen is a capital city that prides itself on being inclusive and accepting. However, with police investigating eight hate crimes that took place during pride this past August, international members of the LGBTQIA+ community may still wonder if Copenhagen exists as a safe city to move to. The city has many forms of entertainment such as gay bars, drag shows and of course pride parades that allow people of all sexualities to connect and feel included, but the need for these spaces suggests there are areas or situations in which the community may feel more marginalised.
Yuri Tumler a manager of Never mind in Copenhagen and member of LGBTQIA+ community discusses what it’s like to work at a ‘gay bar’:
“Everybody is comfortable in their own skin whether they’re here working or just enjoying the place,” and “it’s less of a threat and less of a tense environment between workers and between guests [in comparison to other types of bars].”
Yuri Tumler in his usual spot behind the bar at Never mind.
Image: Justin Fung
When it comes to performance art, drag kings and queens find popularity within Copenhagen. Despite this, many do not feel secure in drag when off-stage.
Local drag queen Annie R says, “I do feel pretty safe as a queer person in Copenhagen but I’m also quite anonymous when I’m out of drag”. Annie also says she takes care not to draw much attention to herself when in drag, and thus does not take public transport to shows.
Reporting by Jozi Harty and Justin Fung.