Play gay and safe

Adrian Gillan gives his top tips for how to keep yourself safe whilst out partying; and how to report an incident, should things go awry.
 
Winter or summer, gay men often demonstrate an ability to party harder than most; which is great fun - as long as you use common sense, stay safe and look out for your mates and loved ones!
 
A few top tips to protect yourself whilst out-and-about and ward off unwelcome dangers:
·          Don’t take out your most expensive personal items – You will be heartbroken to loose them. If you must take valuables with you, make sure you use the coat check.
·          Don’t leave drinks unattended – It could give someone the opportunity to spike them.
·          Always be aware of your surroundings and those around you - whether in a bar, club or park. You may attract unwanted attention and need to ask for help.
·          Don’t overdo it – You are more likely to be a victim of crime or sexual attack, or to take sexual risks, when you have had one drink too many; or through taking recreational drugs. Don’t put yourself in a difficult position that you may come to regret or that you might not be able to get out of.
·          Take care of your property should you decide to go home with someone you have met whilst out - Ensure you have all your stuff before you leave their home the following day.
·          Get home safely – Most clubs use licensed minicabs for peace of mind. If they don’t, try using the TFL (Transport for London) Cabwise: text Home to 60835 – or a similar service in your town. If you can’t do either for any reason, try and let someone know how you are getting home by calling or sending a text.
 
However, should you ever encounter difficulties and need to report a homophobic incident there are several ways to do so:

1. In an emergency you should always dial 999.
2. In a non-emergency situation you can contact your local police station direct.
3. You might prefer to contact your local LGBT Liaison Officer – their contacts can be obtained on-line, usually via a “Community Safety Unit”: www.met.police.uk/csu
4. You may prefer to report via a third-party reporting site such as Galop (www.galop.org.uk) or London Friend (www.londonfriend.org.uk), either on the record or anonymously.