Dalston Superstore, a queer bar in East London, became the first venue of its kind to unionise in the UK back in June. The bar signed an agreement with Unite, the UK’s leading union, covering issues including staff safety, pay, terms and conditions and dispute procedures. Front of house workers at the venue are predominantly queer and people of colour who face safety concerns, such as getting home late at night.
Galop, an LGBTQ+ anti-abuse charity, reported that demand for their support services has increased by 19 per cent in the last six months. This was announced in response to figures showing there was a 26 per cent rise in hate crimes in 2021-2022.
“We need reform and protections now for all of us and for all other minoritised communities facing hate, violence and abuse in the UK today,” the charity said.
On Friday 14 October, community members took to the streets in response to the dramatic annual rise in hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people.
In the year ending March 2022, there were a total of 155,841 recorded hate crimes by police. This marked a 26 per cent rise from the 12 months prior, the largest annual rise since 2017. Offences targeting trans people rose by 56%, with a total of 4,355 reported crimes, the largest proportional increase, reported by Gay Times. Dalston Superstore staff unionised to seek better, safer working conditions.
In attendance at the march were trade union members like Helen, who said of Dalston Superstore unionising: “We can’t take it for granted that people’s work rights are respected.”
Karen Fisch, AKA drag king Frankie Sinatra, and speaker at Queer Night Pride, said: “community to me is the place where we are safe and where we can look after each other. We still haven’t got enough freedoms or safety”.
“We think it’s important that we fight for people to feel safe walking home… to have a voice for working-class people that stand for trans rights,” she said.
Superstore has been a long-standing pillar of the LGBTQ+ community in East London since its opening on Dalston’s Kingsland Road in 2009. They describe themselves as a thriving queer club, cabaret spot, café, gallery, and community space. Every Saturday and Sunday, the venue hosts an infamous drag brunch which is the only of its kind in London that remains free to book.
Resident and Superstore regular, J Dove said: “I know the staff here, they know me, and we all want to look out for each other. It’s exactly what community is about and I’m proud of them for getting the rights they deserve”.
The feeling among the community is that of solidarity with all its members and their right to feel safe at work.
“We should demand that everyone gets home safely”.
