Soho Pride 2008: Camp Gaydar

So word on the street is that Camp Gaydar - the Gaydar sponsored event in Soho Square – was one of highlights of Soho Pride 2008. So we spoke to Simon Johnson, Gaydar Marketing Manager:

So why the Camp Gaydar theme?

Camp Gaydar was a chance for Gaydar guests, members and their friends to get together – we didn’t want to exclude anybody from joining in, just like a summer camp, it sounds corny and we included some silly things like a guy and a girl dressed up in a hot dog and swirly ice cream costume, but they were just one of the many stars of the day. Everybody came together on the day: beefy bears, cute guys, luscious lesbians, horny daddies, sleazy (and not so) skin heads – the list is endless and represents the gay scene and members of Gaydar.

Why did you want to make it so different to previous years?

There’s an annual circuit of Pride events, by the time August comes along I think most revelers are jaded by a colourful parade, main stage and market stalls. Who wouldn’t want to flirt with the muscle-bound Camp Counsellors, have a slice of super sweet cake and get down to some amazing sets from London’s finest DJs. The sun was shining on Camp Gaydar, there was lots to do and get involved with – from the moment our Happy Campers arrived into Camp Gaydar through the wooden gates and theme park style queuing system (that moved surprisingly quick) Campers were greeted by our Camp Counsellors, have their picture taken next to the Gaydar and GaydarGirls photo boards, fill up on Outsider Tarts, dance around the totem poles or chill out on the grassy knolls. A totally different Pride experience.

Why do you think Soho Pride is a bigger draw and more successful for Gay Londoners than London Pride?

Camp Gaydar was and will be a guilty excuse to have a party. I think every single person taking to the streets of Soho and visiting Camp Gaydar was celebrating their own sense of pride without a politician or ‘celebrity’ getting up on stage and making a statement about Pride on their behalf. Soho Pride is shaped by the shops, restaurants and local services that line the streets of our village and not by a committee. The gays about town have come home from their holidays and partying in the sun at world class events such as Madrid and Amsterdam Pride. Soho Pride is a big welcome home hug.

Do you think we still need two Prides in London?

There is a place for London Pride, it fulfills a different mission statement, which is to promote pride and encourage tolerance. Personally I think there is work to be done by the Pride London Committee beyond the main event, and its time they screamed and shouted about the work they’re doing behind the scenes to show that Pride London is effective at policy level and changing attitudes. The organisers are lucky to still have the support from the Mayor of London. I would urge all of Gay London to take note of this year’s Soho Pride and Camp Gaydar Sponsors and support them and question why others brands didn’t, yet think it’s acceptable to hijack the event. This year Soho Pride was left with a budget deficit from the Mayor of London which I’m confident Kim and Adrian (Soho Pride organisers) will be able to plug with support at street level with fund raisers and events in the build up to Soho Pride.

What was your own personal highlight of the day?

Saying goodbye to everybody at the exits when the stage went quiet and Camp Gaydar closed its gates for a year. It was amazing to hear so many people call back ‘Goodbye! Thank you!’ It’s instant feedback. You don’t usually get that at big events. We wanted to make it as personal as possible – many of the Happy Campers are members of Gaydar so the entire day was about giving back an experience, photos and memories!

And look at this you crazy cats! Here’s some more pictures:

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Pictures by Ric Howell.