Is our male-dominated gay community chauvenist? Adrian Gillan asks leading lesbians about the rise of the girl bar and gender dynamics out on the scene.

Clare Summerskill, comedienne - www.claresummerskill.co.uk

Of course the UKs LGB scene is male dominated! Especially if youre talking about gay bars in central London or Manchester, then yes, youll find many more male-run and owned venues. But in the last ten years Ive really noticed an increase in women-run events for lesbians, which are maybe womens equivalent of the scene. These days Im getting asked to perform at book and music festivals, lesbian-themed conferences, as well as in theatres and cabaret venues around the country. There is also an age issue here because bars often attract younger lesbians whereas older women over thirty find themselves creating other groups for socializing, like Kenric (www.kenric.org.uk).

Whilst there appear to be very few women running gay businesses there are many gay women working in businesses generally. Unlike ten or twenty years ago, loads of dykes are now extremely well-off financially but you only have to attend a Stonewall fundraising dinner to see that, as reflects straight society, proportionally it is rich men who far outnumber rich women.

Another obvious example of male dominance in the gay community is Gay Pride in London: gay male run, loads of gay male tents, gay male favourites as performers. As women we might feel like were attending a gay male friends party, but certainly not our own.

I think that the LGB community is probably a microcosm of straight society. There is certainly a degree of male dominance but I dont think one could call it chauvinism, just unequal opportunity. Of course gay men and gay women have extremely different needs and tastes but as long as we are both discriminated against in mainstream society, which I firmly believe we still are, then it makes sense that we join together whenever and wherever we can.

Amy Lam, host and performer - www.duckie.co.uk

I wouldnt say it is chauvinist and I dont feel threatened, but male dominance is even more concentrated on the gay scene than it is in wider society: I imagine straight men generally want straight women around, even if only to try and pull them!

Im an integrationist, definitely not a separatist. Its great to have the odd women only venue but gay men and women have more in common than we have to divide us. In the end, its all about atmosphere, about feeling welcome. At Duckie weve never had a door policy baring anyone, either for their gender or their sexuality. Of course there has to be some limits - you dont want hoards of hen parties - but, despite all the hype, straight people dont generally want to hang around in gay venues.

Even though theyre more common now, women-only bars and events have always been there - its just we dont make such a big song and dance about them as men. Although I dont go out that much on the gay scene, Ive noticed many girl bars are becoming less slick, intense and Soho and are more at ease creating their own genuinely female vibe.

And the perceived male-dominance is not so much since lesbians have less money; its rather that we flaunt and relish our spending power less than gay men. Perhaps were more intelligent and have different priorities - more likely to spend 50 on feeding a child than buying a face cream sold at us in some glossy magazine where were targeted by lots of companies who, at the end of the day, are only after our money.

Sarah Garrett, publisher www.g3mag.co.uk

The gay scene is incredibly male-dominated, especially bars and clubs. However, I think the girl scenes in major cities have branched out and are finding their own formula. Lesbians seem to be breaking away from the shackles of their stereotypes - thank god! Dykes are finally being individuals, with a variety of images, tastes and styles, demanding a variety of club nights to visit. This has encouraged a more diverse girl scene, and how refreshing.

In big cities the scene has always had some degree of segregation between men and women - after all some of the nights are based entirely on sex or cruising - but there are enough punters to warrant different types of gay bar, and this includes bars that are delineated by gender. In some suburban areas however, this is completely different: where there is only one gay bar stuck out in the sticks, a handful of women are usually found in one corner surrounded by hoards of blokes, that is if they have bothered to visit their local gay bar at all.

I think that the girls scene was about ten years behind the mens scene but is now finding its feet. Maybe this is a reflection of society in general and the fact that women used to rarely get managerial or highly-paid jobs compared to men. However, the increase in womens spending power and earnings is almost synonymous with the growth in the lesbian scene. We are now seeing more women spending, and more female entrepreneurs opening bars and clubs.

Also, I have spoken to many gay girls who don't feel they have to necessarily go to a girl bar or club just because they are a lesbian! Many women enjoy going to mixed gay places or straight nights, or to gigs or cultural events - even IKEA! There is life after the lesbian scene, and I think gay women are the first to realise this