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On November 16th 2000 a group of
mature gay men (attitude, not age) from throughout Northern Ireland met in
White's Tavern in the centre of Belfast. This was the first meeting of Men of
the North, a new group, catering for men who want more than the Northern Ireland
scene has to offer.
Those attending included blokes
into uniforms & leather as well as daddies, chubbies, chubby chasers, bears
and others who don't suit the name twinkie or chicken. In terms of gay venues it
is difficult not to be tagged, we hope this venue will cater to a broad range of
people while aiming to provide something other than what seems to have become
the norm in gay venues the world over, lots of teenyboppers of both sexes and
not all of them gay.
Everyone who has attended so far
agreed that MOTN is a good idea. It seems that people want to have an
opportunity to meet other gay men and maybe don't feel comfortable in the
current gay venues in Belfast.
We aim to be something more than
just a gay men-only drinking club that meets the third Thursday of every month.
We hope to have regular activities such as outings, be they day trips or weekend
ones. Various suggestions to date have included Ten-pin bowling, Sponsored
cruise (this was shot down), Hill walking, Ice skating, Go-karting, Naked needle
point (this one was shot down too, funny!), Shopping trip to Scotland and Visits
to other clubs in the UK and Ireland.
So check out the website at www.menofthenorth.btinternet.co.uk
to see what we've been up to lately and if you're in the area why not come
along, see what you think? It's not meant to be elite, just different. If this
sounds like you then please come along. There's no point moaning that the The
North doesn't offer anything to non-scene gay men if, when it does, you don't
support it.
by Chris
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