KLUB VERBOTEN

#SAVEKINKSPACES

Misconceptions around our communities have created loopholes in safeguarding for too long. This campaign was initiated to seek open dialogues around current licensing issues and the publics' shameful relationship with kink.

Dear London, we have sufficient amounts of fast food outlets. But it is also vital to provide spaces in which a healthy culture around kink, consent and sexuality can flourish.

Can we finally talk about how we achieve this together?

KEEN TO SUPPORT?

You can support the campaing in various ways:

Log your interest to become an active & vocal supporter of this campaign
Make a small donation. As the campaign progresses we will need funds to keep it alive.
Spread the word! Download the #savekinkspaces square and publish it to your social media account.
Attend the Sex Club Summit in May

15/03/2022:

THE LONDON BOROUGH OF TOWER HAMLETS IS SEEKING TO SHUT DOWN KLUB VERBOTEN

Klub Verboten are the largest contemporary sex-positive community / club night in London. Whilst having recently been awarded Arts Council funding, the 10,000 strong community members club has been operating since 2016, and has been at the forefront in the creation of safer, sex-positive spaces.

Bryony Beynon, Co-founder of Good Night Out, the campaign for safer nightlife, said "We have trained and accredited Klub Verboten's staff and policies three years in a row as an organisation taking the utmost care when it comes to building cultures of consent in nightlife. Their procedures are among the most stringent and well-written I've audited in ten years of working to prevent gendered violence in nightlife, so frankly strikes me as deeply reactionary and ironic that this clause is being used to target an LGBTQ+ space, given that we also work with hundreds of high street nightclubs where, while nudity may be less likely, sexual violence and abuse is far, far more likely."

Tower Hamlets Council is relying on an outdated and moralistic licence condition that purports to prohibit ‘nudity and semi-nudity’ at clubbing venues to shut Klub Verboten down as early as this Friday. Not only is the condition vague and unenforceable, the council’s policies rely on outdated and discriminatory gendered stereotypes to define what is meant by ‘nudity and semi-nudity.

We are outraged that in this day and age, Tower Hamlets Council are attempting to dictate to informed, self-regulating adults what they can and, crucially, what they can’t wear in a private club. Is the sight of an ankle, bare shoulders, buttocks, cleavage and bare chests matters of legitimate public interest?

Tower Hamlets’ inconsistency is exacerbated as it is also host to established consensual sex clubs all of which have been allowed to operate and flourish for years – one is so cherished that it has even been listed as an asset of community value! We do not want these other venues to be targeted next; but we are unclear why the patrons and members of Klub Verboten are being singled out and discriminated against.

Leading sex establishment licensing barrister Leo Charalambides has provided this comment:

“Many Councils have a narrow and incomplete understanding of the role of adult and sex entertainment within their Night Time Economy. Their policies and practices are dated and poorly informed. Typically, Councils regulate lap dancing venues but wilfully ignore the full range of adult and sex entertainment that openly operate in their local area (I could give many examples of this inconsistency) – this is a disappointing policy of “don’t ask don’t tell” that, in my view, is immature, short sighted and potentially harmful. Events such as those by Klub Verboten seek to celebrate the full range of informed, adult, consensual sex and sexuality. They are at the forefront of tackling issues around safety, consent, diversity and inclusion that should be emulated rather than condemned. Councils could learn a great deal from the philosophy and polices of Klub Verboten.”

THE NIGHT CZAR AMY LAMÉ OFFERS SUPPORT

22/03/2022

Amy Lamé came to rescue and offered an emergency meeting to hear the concerns of our community and offer support.

THE SEX CLUB SUMMIT

Time for an adult conversation.

Is the future of kink and fetish clubs in danger? It’s time to talk about the importance of sex-positive spaces in the city – and the role they play in LGBTQI+ culture, community building and creating higher safety standards across nightlife culture.

We invite all kinksters, councillors, licensing authorities, policymakers, researchers, the police, community leaders, promoters & venues to join us for an open and non-judgemental dialogue.

A full list of confirmed speakers will be published here shortly.

Venue: The Bishopsgate Institute

Date: May 2022 (tbc)

Time: 7 pm to 10 pm