As part of the Royal Vauxhall Tavern’s regular Sunday Social drag artist Charlie Hides often performs in blackface as Laquisha Jonz.
Laquisha Jonz is a racist act based on misogynist stereotypes of Black working class women, it is outdated, offensive, shameful and has no place in the LGBT Community.  

This is not the first time this act has performed at RVT and is regularly booked at other LGBT venues across the country including The Two Brewers, Clapham, Eden Bar, Birmingham and others.  If these venues say they promote inclusivity that statement needs to be applicable to everyone.

From Stonewall to today LGBT people of colour have been on the front lines fighting against homophobia. By booking this act these venues are holding this history in contempt.

The LGBT community is more than just White gay men and we all should be able to feel that we are safe and respected when attending places that are meant to be for ALL of us.

We are asking these venues to stop booking Laquisha Jonz and to create a code of conduct that supports artistic freedom but says NO to acts that perform in Blackface or perpetuate racist stereotypes.