WINNIPEG — Surveillance cameras, security guards, pat downs and now metal detector wands. Soon, guests at two of Winnipeg’s LGBTQ nightclubs will have beefed up security measures to go through before hitting the dance floor.
“Sunday morning was a shock to hear of the events that occurred in Orlando,” said Beverly Claeys, senior manager at Fame Nightclub. “You immediately think what would happen here.”
Fame is one of two LGBTQ nightclubs in Winnipeg. It already has 32 surveillance cameras inside and outside the club. Patrons also get patted down, have their purses and bags checked at the entrance and security guards stationed throughout the club. Now, they have taken security one step further.
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“We also ordered metal wands and some headsets just to help with the communication aspect and to mitigate or prevent any situation,” said Claeys. “I think it’s always best to be proactive in this kind of situation.”
Both Fame and Club 200 have also been in contact with the Winnipeg Police Service and had officers come to check out the buildings and offer advice and tips.
“We discussed a number of things in terms of their location, potential issues and moving forward what things we all need to look out for and protect one another,” said Const. Jason Michalyshen. “We always need to be prepared. We always need to think about those what ifs.”
Michalyshen said officers will be paying “special attention” to the two clubs “whether it be this weekend or certain weekends throughout the summer.”
“Hatred and violence towards the gay community is not something new that just started last weekend,” said Allen Morrison, owner of Club 200. “The gay community as a whole is a really resilient and strong group of people.”
Club 200 isn’t too concerned about increasing security but Morrison said they are no stranger to verbal and abusive attacks towards the LGBTQ community.
“We’ll get random phone calls of people just spewing hate at us and you leave and someone will be walking down the street spewing derogatory comments,” he said. “But it’s getting better. I started working here in 1992. I’ve seen a lot of growth and a lot of change.”
Both bars will be holding fundraisers over the weekend to raise money for the Orlando victims and their families.
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Fame is holding an event Friday night called ‘We Are All Connected” and will donate a portion of door proceeds and the sale of their “Love is Love” shirts directly to the GoFundMe page for the Orlando victims.
The group is also flying in a performer from the Florida club who lost a friend in the attack.
Then on Saturday, Club 200 is holding a fundraiser with more than a dozen local drag performers and DJ’s with 100 per cent of the door proceeds and draft beer sales being donated as well.
“The gay community is tight knit. You attack one of us, everyone wants to come together and show we are bonded. We stick up for each other,” said Morrison. “We can raise money and send it down there and let them know that even all the way up here in Winnipeg, we are thinking about them and love them.”
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