The White Swan is concerned that by lowering the railings, their patron's safety will be at risk.
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The bar’s management say that their railings are vital for the safety of their venue. They allow their patrons to queue, smoke and laugh outside free from fears of discrimination and abuse.
That abuse is most frequently verbal, but can also be physical. Tower Hamlets has seen a large number of homophobic attacks in the past year, most recently on 3 December 2017, when an openly gay man, Gordon Maxwell, was viciously attacked outside the Toxy club.
The assault took place outside an LGBTQ+ night at the club, and left the 42-year-old with a fractured cheekbone, nerve damage and a loss of smell that could be permanent. He was wearing a dress at the time and said that he “fully believes” he had been targeted because of his sexuality.
Mr Maxwell was attacked in December 2017 outside an LGBT club night. (Picture: Met Police/PA)
The loss of the railings could lead to the outright loss of The White Swan; a decrease of safety precautions could result in no business, which could mean the end for a historically significant LGBT venue.
Local Conservative Councillor Peter Golds told City News just how great a loss that would be, saying that the club has been “a central part of the LGBT scene in the East End for decades and decades”.
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HeadlineThe White Swan, East End’s iconic gay bar faces security fears
Short HeadlineEast End gay bar told to lower their security railings
Standfirst
The bar’s management say that their railings are vital for the safety of their venue. They allow their patrons to queue, smoke and laugh outside free from fears of discrimination and abuse.
That abuse is most frequently verbal, but can also be physical. Tower Hamlets has seen a large number of homophobic attacks in the past year, most recently on 3 December 2017, when an openly gay man, Gordon Maxwell, was viciously attacked outside the Toxy club.
The assault took place outside an LGBTQ+ night at the club, and left the 42-year-old with a fractured cheekbone, nerve damage and a loss of smell that could be permanent. He was wearing a dress at the time and said that he “fully believes” he had been targeted because of his sexuality.
Mr Maxwell was attacked in December 2017 outside an LGBT club night. (Picture: Met Police/PA)
The loss of the railings could lead to the outright loss of The White Swan; a decrease of safety precautions could result in no business, which could mean the end for a historically significant LGBT venue.
Local Conservative Councillor Peter Golds told City News just how great a loss that would be, saying that the club has been “a central part of the LGBT scene in the East End for decades and decades”.
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Undercover officers raided three linked shops in Barking town centre, revealing how illicit tobacco is being hidden in walls, ceilings and nearby locations to evade detection.
More than 330,000 people across the UK sought support from the Stop It Now helpline in 2025 over concerns about their own or someone else’s online sexual behaviour towards children, according to new charity data. The anonymous service says contacts by phone, email and webchat rose significantly over the year.
