Noisey Films presents a new documentary about the LGBT Dancehall scene in London. In the early 2000’s the UK saw an influx of young gay Jamaican’s fleeing their country’s anti-gay laws. They would either have to hide who they were or risk abuse and in some cases death, yet on their arrival in the UK they found home and family in each other, throwing the best underground Jamaican dancehall parties this side of the Atlantic in the homeless hostels they sought refuge in.
Despite the homophobic lyrics within the songs, dancehall is a huge part of their culture. The underground events originally took place in hostels attracting hundreds of black and gay partygoers and quickly grew in size, exploding into church halls in Brixton and the Old Kent Rd, South London. With so many people attending the bashment parties, promoters had to take notice, eventually taking residence in nightclubs in Vauxhall, joining long-standing nights like Caribana and Bootylicious.
For so many, the scene created a space and support network where young people could come to terms with their sexuality and identity in their own culture whilst struggling with issues of racism, homophobia, transphobia and immigration. With exclusive access, Noisey along with Kartel Brown, chronicle the history of London’s growing LGBT dancehall community. We are proud to present Out and Bad.
