London, one of the most diverse cities in the world, is the capital of United Kingdom. It has an area of 1,572 km² and a population of more than 8.6 million people, making it UK’s largest city. It is home to different nationalities and cultures, with more than 12% of Britain’s population living in the capital.
Popular tourist attractions include Buckingham Palace, The Royal Parks, Hampstead Heath, Victoria and Albert Museum, Tate Modern, and the National Gallery. Thousands of restaurants surround the city, as well as shops and stores, making it the best shopping destination in Europe.
Soho is the city’s red light district. It is located on The West End, in the centre of the capital. It is a vibrant neighbourhood and is home to some of the capital’s best restaurants. Oxford Street, Chinatown, Regent Street, and Charing Cross Road border Soho.
The streets of the area never feel empty, especially in the neighbourhood’s side streets where tourists can find adult entertainment venues like erotic shops and strip clubs. The RLD in Soho covers small areas in Peter Street, Brewer Street, Rupert Street, Walker’s Court, Green’s Court, and Tisbury Court. Other parts of neighbourhood are filled with restaurants, shops, music venues, bars, and clubs.
History of the RLD
Up until 1536, London’s RLD used to be a grazing farmland and then became the Palace of Whitehall’s parkland. It is noted that French immigrants were given permission to build houses and inhabit Soho in the late 17th century. Lack of development and neglect caused many of the people to move and relocate over the next one hundred years. It is said that in the 19th century, music venues, theatres, and working girls started to occupy the city.
The area then became trendy in the early 20th century. The pubs and cheap eateries became popular among writers and artists. It was in the 50s that girls started to fill the streets of the area to lure clients. The Streets Offences Act made it illegal to solicit or loiter for prostitution in public or street, which lead women to start working in bars and clubs.
How to find the RLD
Soho is located in West End London and is easy to explore on foot. Famous landmarks in the area include The National Gallery, St. James’s Church Piccadilly, Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum.
Stay Safe in the RLD
The area is exceptionally safe. Soho may have had a bad reputation in the past because of the crimes and seedy bars in the area, but rebuilding efforts have eradicated underground crimes, with a drop in the prostitution industry. Because of this, the main concern in the RLD is the presence of the intoxicated men who might have possibilities of violent outbursts, especially during Fridays and Saturdays.
The UK capital offers a range of adult entertainment venues that cater to clients with different preferences. Striptease clubs are abundant, which are also the perfect place to order a lap dance, spend a boys’ night out, or have a stag night. There are even some private clubs that offer live nude shows.
Pleasurable sensual experiences do not end at strip bars and private clubs. Some also choose to visit swinger or fetish clubs to meet individuals and have the wildest night. London offers great venues for those who are interested in BDSM and wish to fulfil their most sensual fantasies. Sex shops are also abundant, as well as other venues you did not know exist. Tourists can attend a fetish speed dating, get involved in fetish photoshoots, hear erotic readings, enrol in erotic education classes, and a whole lot more.
Adult Cinemas
Street Prostitution
Selling of sexual services in the streets and other public places is illegal in the UK. The Street Offences Act of 1959 proposed strict rules to control street prostitution. Some reports, however, noted that street prostitutes in the city work in some parts of Tottenham Court Road and King’s Cross.
Prostitution in Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) is legal, although there are a number of activities considered illegal. These include pimping, procuring, operating a brothel, soliciting prostitution in public place, and kerb crawling.
It is an offence to buy services from sex workers who have been forced to enter the industry. Even if offenders did not know about it, they can still be prosecuted. The age of consent in the UK is 16, but it is a crime to pay or avail sex services from those who are under 18 years old.
In England and Wales, there is a legislation known as Policing Crime. It is noted that working privately as a sex worker is not illegal, as well as working as an escort. Furthermore, it is not an offence if women choose to offer sex services in an establishment, as long as there is no issue of venue control and proper management. Selling services in the street, however, is an offence.
When it comes to homosexuality, an amendment to the Sexual Offences Act decriminalises private sexual activities from both men who have reached 21 years old. Same-sex marriage became legal in the United Kingdom in March 2014. A 2015 report from BBC suggested that more than 15,000 marriages took place since the laws changed.
Same-sex adoption in the country is legal. Homosexuals can also serve openly in the military. Blood donation from gay men, on the other hand, is banned for 12 months after having sex. However, the government is set to review this deferral period.
London offers a variety of nightlife entertainment venues for everyone. Some are perfect for a laid-back night, while others are great for a big night out, with lots of drinking and partying. Here are some of the best nightlife venues in the city:
Soho, which is also the city’s red light district, happens to be the main gay and lesbian area. The Old Compton Street (considered the main gay street) is home to notable establishments like G-A-Y Bar. Locals and tourists can choose from lively music venues, bars, clubs and drinking spots. Some venues in Soho close early, while others are open until 3 a.m.
While most of the gay and lesbian scene is centred in Soho, there are venues in other areas like Dalston and Vauxhall. It is easy to find clubs hosting lively parties, especially on weekends.
General Attitude Towards Gays
Several years ago, many have expressed their disapproval of same-sex relationships, believing it is morally wrong. Recent surveys suggest, however, that the people have now acquired a change in attitude towards this. There is now an extensive acceptance of both gay marriage and gay adoption. Reports noted that only one in five individuals oppose gay or lesbian relationships.
Some may still encounter sorts of discrimination, but social acceptance is on the rise. Many are becoming open-minded, with the country legalizing same-sex marriage in 2014. The UK also legalized same-sex adoption and allowed IVF for lesbian couples. The capital, specifically, has a thriving LGBT scene, with different groups and social gatherings for everyone in the city.
Gay and Transsexual Prostitution in London
There is no specific information on where to find gay and transsexual prostitutes in the capital. It is believed that individuals offering such kind of services advertise their business online.
6.483 Escorts
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Agencies (215)
Clubs (2)
