LGBTQIA+ employees are often paid less than their straight counterparts, data shows. What can we do to close the gap?

WORDS BY NICOLE GARCÍA MÉRIDA
HEADER BY YOSEF PHELAN

Minorities never really need to look at data to confirm they’re being discriminated against. We see it, we feel it, we experience it in the flesh — yet several studies have demonstrated the existence of an LGBTQIA+ wage gap. 

A survey carried out by YouGov in 2019, commissioned by LinkedIn and UK Black Pride, found that LGBTQIA+ people in the UK earn around £7,000 less than their straight counterparts. In his 2022 paper, Professor Nick Drydakis from Anglia Ruskin University found that gay men’s earnings were 6.8% lower than those of comparable straight men, while bisexual men’s earnings were 10.3% lower than those of heterosexual men. 

Separately in the US, an HRC Foundation analysis conducted in 2022 of nearly 7,000 full-time LGBTQ+ found LGBTQIA+ workers earn around 90 cents to the dollar that every straight person earns. The gap widens for LGBTQIA+ people of colour, trans people and non-binary people. 

Data also shows that workplaces are not well equipped to close the gap. A poll of around 1,000 HR managers from the Trades Unions Congress (TUC) revealed one in five workplaces don’t have any policies in place to support their LGBTQ+ staff. And concerningly, data collected by UK charity Just Like Us showed that a quarter of young LGBTQIA+ adults went back in the closet when they started work. 

How can we report on the wage gap?

Despite the number of studies that have been conducted on earnings discrepancies, there’s a long way to go when it comes to data reporting. While gender wage gap reporting is mandatory in the UK for companies with 250 or more employees, employers are not required to collect or report information on ethnicity wage gaps or LGBTQIA+ wage gaps. 

“One of our big asks is that the government include us in the big statistical surveys so we understand what is happening to the community at a national level on a statistical level,” said Quinn Roache, policy officer at Trades Union Congress.

“But I worry a lot that when we start getting the data at a national level or employers are getting the data, that it won’t be right… If we get pay gap reporting for LGBTQ+ issues, and we have employers saying they have no pay gap, I would say let’s look at your data. Are you only surveying employees in the top roles? I would say what you have is a monitoring issue in terms of the quality of groupings.” 

While gender wage gap reporting is mandatory in the UK for companies with 250 or more employees, employers are not required to collect or report information on ethnicity wage gaps or LGBTQ+ wage gaps. 

TUC has found only one in eight employees monitor the LGBTQIA+ pay gap. Ken Janssens, co-founder of Windō, a platform that compares organisations diversity, equity and inclusion progress, notes that when companies report on the sexual orientation pay gap, they report on the L, G and the B in LGBTQ+ – not the Q and not the T. Currently, only 15 companies voluntarily share their sexual orientation pay gap data, and the average gap is 8.8%. 

Even when companies are reporting this data, it’s important to keep certain factors in mind such as visibility and data inclusion. “It’s important that companies share how many employees have participated in [self-identification],” says Janssens. The data won’t really start feeling representative until reporting is at around 80% or 90% participation.”

The data may also show certain discrepancies. In his study, Professor Drydakis found that lesbian women’s earnings were 7.1% higher than those of comparable heterosexual women. This “presents a puzzling issue,” he says, but there could be many reasons for this. 

“A peripheral explanation for the lesbian earnings premium may revolve around women with children earning less than those without children,” Professor Drydakis says. “Additionally, lesbian women might demonstrate greater dedication to the labour market as they are less likely to rely on a higher-earning (male) partner for financial support, potentially leading them to invest more in their careers.”

What is driving the gender pay gap? 

“The labour market penalties faced by gay men are likely linked to firms’ negative attitudes towards minority populations,” says Professor Drydakis. “Biases may also arise if organisations use sexual orientation to infer job-related characteristics, productivity, and commitment.

“If gay men do not conform to traditional gender roles associated with masculinity and leadership, this could lead to unfavourable evaluations and earnings penalties. To mitigate these biases, organisations should invest more resources in verifying employees’ qualifications.” 

“If someone is working in an environment where they’re not necessarily able to be themselves completely, maybe even hiding that part about their identity, they’re driving energy into that,” says Janssens.  “I worked at JPMorgan for 25 years… and I wasn’t out to work for the first three. I know what that was like.” 

“When people ask you, how was your weekend? That would be the question I would dread because I would have to lie, and people can detect that,” he continues. “So they kind of go, there’s something funny about you. And when people think there’s something funny, then, you might not be given the promotion, the opportunity, the project.” 

Ultimately, the pay gap is reflective of poor treatment, says Roache, and intersectionality plays a huge role. “If you’re LGBTQ+ and disabled, you already know there’s a disability pay gap, there’s also a race pay gap, you could be experiencing a double pay gap. And let’s not forget there’s a gender pay gap,” he says. 

A survey carried out by myGwork, a business community for LGBTQIA+ professionals, found eight out of 10 LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary professionals across all age groups find it tougher to shatter the glass ceiling than heterosexual cisgender women. “This challenge is even greater for those with intersectional identities, especially those from Latinx, South Asian, Middle Eastern, East Asian, and Black/African communities, who reported finding it particularly challenging compared to their white colleagues,” says Adrien and Pierre Gaubert, Co-founders of myGwork.

What can we do about the pay gap? 

It’s important the government starts mandating this data be reported because this will give a more complete picture of the difficulties LGBTQIA+ people are facing in achieving equal pay. While data may be up for scrutiny, all the studies agree on one thing – LGBTQIA+ people are being paid less. 

The government also needs to change its anti-”woke” anti-DEI positioning, Janssens points out. “That is doing real damage. It’s making LBTQ+ people fearful, and it has an impact on the workplace as well… all the anti-trans rhetoric is probably the worst in that,” he says. 

Additionally, a lot of the responsibility also falls on employers. “They need to put a lot of time and energy into how they’re going to collect monitoring data from their employees because [employees] need to know there isn’t going to be a negative consequence to ticking that box,” says Roache. 

[Employers] need to put a lot of time and energy into how they’re going to collect monitoring data from their employees because [employees] need to know there isn’t going to be a negative consequence to ticking that box

“And if they have a gap they need to look at where their lgbt workers are in the organisation, and […] look at where they are to make sure LGBTQ+ people who come into the workforce are able to bring their authentic selves and have access to training and promotions and that there aren’t any intentional or unintentional boundaries that are stopping the LGBTQIA+ community from accessing these things,” he adds. 

Roache stresses the importance of joining a union. Research from TUC shows that LGBTQIA+ people who join their union are more likely to speak up when they have been discriminated against. “Get involved in collective bargaining and ensure your union is asking for LGBTQ+ workers to get access to training and development and to make sure there are no barriers preventing them from progressing,” Roache says. “As an individual you’re limited but as a collective, you have more strength and power.” 

Read more of GAY TIMES’ finance coverage and deep dives here.

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The cost of IVF can make starting a family seem like a very difficult reality for same-sex and queer couples. 

WORDS BY NICOLE GARCÍA MÉRIDA
HEADER BY ANISA CLEAVER

More than half of European countries prohibit access to assisted reproduction for lesbians and queer couples – but even in countries where IVF is legal and accessible to LGBTQIA+ folks, there remains a serious barrier: the price.

Take the UK, for example: queer couples’ access to IVF on the NHS is fundamentally messed up. While cis-heterosexual couples only have to try to conceive naturally for about two years – a process that is (famously) free – before accessing IVF via the NHS, it’s a completely different story for queer couples. 

Historically, queer women and trans people were required to pay for artificial insemination in order to prove their fertility status before accessing state-funded IVF. In 2022, NHS England published the Women’s Health Strategy for England, which promised to remove this additional financial burden for queer couples.

However, in practice, only four of the 42 Integrated Care Bodies (ICBs) responsible for planning health services in local areas have made this change as of April 2024. This means that access to state-funded IVF is, effectively, a ‘postcode lottery’ for queer people and the cost of IVF can vary hugely from location to location. But even when queer folks access private fertility care, they may incur further costs than their cis, straight peers.

“If you’re a same-sex couple accessing IVF privately, you will typically pay more than heterosexual couples for a couple of reasons,” says Kayleigh Hartigan, founder and CEO of Fertility Mapper. First, there’s the cost of sperm. This can be even more expensive if a couple knows the donor they want to use instead of opting for one from a clinic. 

On top of that, same sex female couples (and other couples featuring two individuals with uteruses) will have more expensive pre-treatment costs if they both need fertility testing. 

IVF access is a class issue

Saving for IVF is unfortunately not as straightforward as it sounds, especially now that the cost of living is so high. And this isn’t just in the UK – it’s an issue in multiple countries across the world, as our interviewees in Europe and the US attest. 

“I think it’s so problematic and sad that having a kid, especially if you undergo IVF treatments, is in many cases a class issue,” says Sofie Nötzli, who had a daughter via IVF with her wife. 

Sofie and her wife spent between €20,000 and €25,000 on their IVF journey. This included medical checks and medication, sperm, egg retrievals,  embryo transfers and embryo storage as well as flights to and from Denmark, which is where the clinic they were using was located. “Switzerland wasn’t an option because it wasn’t yet legal for same sex couples to undergo fertility treatments so we had to look abroad for options,” Sofie says. 

There is no one who is going to be able to tell you or reassure you and say hey it’s going to take time but at the end of it you’ll have your kid.

“We’re really privileged to be two people with full time jobs and good salaries in comparison to many other people out there who are struggling,” Sofie adds. “Many people cannot even try or start the process because they simply can’t afford it or they end up taking loans or credits to be able to pay for the costs of a fertility treatment process.” 

Additionally, Sofie points out, there are no guarantees. “There is no one who is going to be able to tell you or reassure you and say hey it’s going to take time but at the end of it you’ll have your kid,” she says. “You never know so you’re just going into it in the dark not knowing how much time, effort, tears, money that you need to spend on a process like this.” 

How to pay for IVF

“If there’s any advice I would give to anyone who’s starting IVF whether you’re gay, straight, having fertility issues, you’re single, in a relationship – make sure you save,” says Christina Bailey, a mum of four children she had through IVF. 

“There’s all kinds of costs that pop up. I went into IVF thinking round one was going to work. I now have four amazing kids but I’ve gone through four rounds of IVF. And you could not have told me when I first walked into that clinic that I’d be going through four rounds of IVF in my lifetime.” 

Rounds one and two of IVF cost Christina over $21,000. The egg retrieval alone for rounds three and four cost her $17,500. For rounds one and two, she managed to save up around $30,000 with her wife at the time because they had saved up a lot of money by forgoing a big wedding. 

You could not have told me when I first walked into that clinic that I’d be going through four rounds of IVF in my lifetime.

Genna Jaffe, founder of IVF resource Connecting Rainbows and mum of two babies conceived via IVF, spread the $50,000 cost of her IVF journey throughout different credit cards with her wife. They also had savings they could use, and decided to delay buying a home to put the money towards IVF instead. 

In the US, blood work and ultrasounds will often be covered by insurance – but that’s about it. When this is included in insurance policies, the language used is very heterosexual, Christina says, which places same-sex couples at a disadvantage. “If we were a straight couple we might have had a pass at the insurance coverage,” she says. 

Something she didn’t look into the first time around however are grants, which is something queer couples can pursue.

For example:

• In the US, there are grants you can apply for to help cover the cost of IVF.
• In the UK, organisations like Access Fertility are offering refund programmes for failed IVF treatments, but these also come at a cost to parents. 

What should you look out for when paying for IVF?

“Costs can vary from clinic to clinic and person to person,” says Kayleigh. “And, whilst it can feel like time is not on your side, the most important thing you can do to save cost is take your time to do the research upfront. Once you have the information in hand, you should also speak to a few clinics to answer any questions you have before you commit to treatment.” 

“Some clinics offer payment plans, which couples may wish to consider if they do need additional support – however, we have also seen some patients try funding via alternative means, such as asking for family support or exploring bank loan options,” adds Professor Geeta Nargund, Senior NHS Consultant and Medical Director of CREATE Fertility and abc IVF. 

Whilst it can feel like time is not on your side, the most important thing you can do to save cost is take your time to do the research upfront.

“There’s so many aspects to take into consideration so whatever figure you see on the price list is most likely not going to be the final figure,” says Sofie. “Plus it’s the aspect of time. You don’t know how much time or how many attempts you’ll need before you’re able to succeed, if ever.”

“Set a plan with your partner, talk, talk, talk – and bear in mind that it can take time, and ask yourself the question of how much time you are willing to invest in this process,” Sofie adds.  “It doesn’t sound very romantic or sexy but at the same time this process is everything but that unfortunately. You’re very much aware of every single step all the time.”

Head to the Stonewall website for information on how to email your local MP to demand equal access to IVF for LGBTQ+ people.

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Queer tourists flock to Puerto Vallarta, lauded as gay paradise, for its beaches and its hospitality. But are they inadvertently contributing to the gentrification of the city?

WORDS BY NICOLE GARCIA MERIDA
HEADER BY YOSEF PHELAN

There’s a long running myth that it was John Huston’s 1964 film The Night of the Iguana, starring Richard Burton, Ava Gardner and Deborah Kerr, that launched the Mexican city of Puerto Vallarta into the international stage. “But really, that was only part of it,” says Otoniel Sosa Rodriguez, a professor and researcher at the Universidad de Colima.

Puerto Vallarta sits on a strip of coast in the Mexican state of Jalisco, at the foot of the Sierra Madre Occidental, a major mountain range that runs through the Western part of the country. The Night of the Iguana, and the drama surrounding its production, did play a part in Vallarta’s publicity back in the 60s. Puerto Vallarta has existed as a tourist destination for over seven decades – you only need to look at pictures to figure out why. However the film’s publicity and a combination of infrastructure development on behalf of the government kick started the city’s growth.

Today, Puerto Vallarta is described as the San Francisco of Mexico. The city is Mexico’s top destination for LGBTQIA+ tourism, especially for gay men. “We can say it’s LGBTQ+ tourism,” says Otoniel. “But if we’re being honest it’s more gay men than anyone else really.” Around a third of tourists in Puerto Vallarta are members of the LGBTQ+ community, and they have contributed a massive amount of money to the city’s finances – tourism makes up for about half of Vallarta’s economy.

But the city wasn’t originally built for the massive numbers of people that descend upon it each year, which has forced it to change to accommodate this huge source of revenue. The landscape of the city started to change as property developers moved to meet demand.

 

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“There wasn’t any forced displacement, from what I understand,” says Otoniel, who wrote his PhD dissertation about LGBTQIA+ tourist destinations in Puerto Vallarta, and moved to Vallarta for four years in 2015. “But there was displacement in the sense that [property developers] offered locals a lot of money for their lots. So these little houses then turned into high rise buildings.”

“They’re not skyscrapers like in Mexico City,” Otoniel adds. “But in 2015 I noticed the amount of construction. And in Puerto Vallarta where the average house has two floors, you notice these concrete mammoths. Construction has slowed now, but only because they’re running out of space.”

Becoming a “gay paradise”

A lot of work has gone into the cityscape, but queer activists have worked just as hard to turn Vallarta into an environment that is safe for queer people. Puerto Vallarta is recognised as one of the safest destinations from the LGBTQIA+ community in the world.

Groups, including Vallarta’s LGBT Collective, have worked tirelessly to make sure discrimination against queer people doesn’t happen, delivering workshops to police as well as hospitality staff to educate them on inequality.

“It was hard because some [police] had certain… archaic concepts about LGBTQ+ people,” says Hector Ramirez Betancourt, founder of Vallarta’s LGBT Collective. “But we created the guidebook of rules to prevent and eliminate any type of discrimination in Puerto Vallarta. And now Vallarta is the number one tourist destination for gay people.”

Hector, known as Teto, was at the forefront of the creation of this rule book, which effectively criminalises discrimination against queer people. It is through tireless activist work, that continues today on behalf of Teto and other Mexican nonprofits, that Vallarta has become safe for all. Just last year MOVii, the Movement for Equality in Mexico, was hosting training sessions for police with the aim of teaching the importance of respecting people’s rights, no matter their gender or sexual orientation to continue making Vallarta an inclusive city.

“We’re at the vanguard of this,” says Teto. “We are closer to being at the level of some of the more inclusive countries. We did it because we,” the local LGBT population of Vallarta, “wanted to live well. And it’s also helpful, because it makes us number one,” says Teto.

That said, “Vallarta has always been a friendly city,” he says. And Teto isn’t the only one to say this – it seems to genuinely be a consensus among everyone I speak to. “The slogan was that it was the friendliest city in the world,” Teto adds.

“Vallarta will always welcome you,” says Adrian Mena Rubin de Celis, who has been living in Puerto Vallarta for 13 years. Adrian, originally for Mexico City, was supposed to live there for a year, but found it impossible to leave. “This is such a friendly city, it’s so humble. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from or what you have, at some point it’s like we all know each other, support each other, and help each other,” says Adrian.

“For me, this is paradise,” Teto says. “I live in paradise… somewhere where there is no issues with discrimination, where we can live freely and in our way without having to hide, or worry about it being late or being dark. No matter the time of day here, there’s never an issue.”

The problem with development

Changes to the city skyline brought with them an increase to living costs, and ultimately a pricing out of many locals who relocated to the outskirts of the city. Rent and food costs went up, and as more people moved into the city infrastructure began to fail. The city has embarked on a project to fortify its sewers, but at one point water was running low and pipes couldn’t handle the amount of tourists using the infrastructure.

“When I lived there in 2015, garbage collection was also a problem,” adds Otoniel.

A significant chunk of Vallarta’s tourism is concentrated in the neighbourhood of Zona Romantica, which translates to Romantic Zone, in the centre of Vallarta. The neighbourhood is crowded with LGBTQIA+ bars, clubs, and hotels. But venues are slowly spreading onto the surrounding neighbourhoods of Conchas Chinas and the centre of Puerto Vallarta.

“There’s also the fact that a lot of people, such as digital nomads, they don’t pay taxes here,” says Otoniel. “They can have a house here but they won’t necessarily pay taxes, aside from [VAT]. This means that it’s harder to generate new infrastructure, and that complicates things because without new infrastructure, a city will collapse.”

“By no means do I want to just say gay tourism is bad,” says Emma Bailey, a researcher at Universidad Veracruzana who has studied gay tourism in Puerto Vallarta. She’s right – that’s not the point of the criticism at all. It’s more so to pose a question of, what does this mean for the local queer population? “We need to look deep into what are those issues,” says Emma.

“Within the gay community itself there’s some issues at hand,” continues Emma. “One of which is, it’s dominated by cis gay men. There are groups of lesbian women who are very vocal about being women and then there are groups of queer people that are then distinct from but those, but they are definitely in the minority. So that’s another thing to kind of look at in terms of what is the real dynamic going on there.”

“At what point does the gay and lesbian or queer community stop acting like a victimised community and start acting like a contributor to the community?” asks Emma. “So really taking a hard look at what does it mean to live in a foreign place or to vacation constantly in a foreign place, in a constructed environment that wouldn’t be there naturally.”

Additionally, queer tourists with US or Canadian dollars will always have higher purchasing powers than that of local Mexican queer people, which could exacerbate inequality. “A gay person with resources who can buy whatever they want is not the same as a Mexican local or tourist, who is going to find it pricier,” says Otoniel. “The question arises of, who is this space really built for?”

 

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Or is development really a problem?

Despite the criticisms of development, by and large the influx of tourists into Vallarta is seen as a positive thing. Otoniel, Teto, Adrian, Emma – they all agree, the multiculturalism of Vallarta as a consequence of both temporary tourists and seasonal residents is a positive thing.

“Zona Romantica, in old Vallarta, has hotels from the 50s and the 60s,” says Mariano Osores Soler, president of Ancotur, the National Association of LGBT+ Commerce and Tourism in Mexico. “This is really the epicentre of Puerto Vallarta… And it was American and Canadian tourists who moved to Vallarta for the winter who helped create this multicultural destination. There’s a lot of foreigners living in Vallarta, which has helped make it a more open minded place than other states in Mexico.”

The American and Canadians in question date back to the boomer generation. They purchased seasonal homes in Vallarta, trading harsh winters for warm beaches. Whether they were the harbingers of something negative is very much up for discussion among the people I spoke to for this piece. Whenever I’ve researched gentrification in Latin American cities, complaints from locals have been loud and clear, plastered everywhere from social media to lamp posts in busy neighbourhoods. But when I was looking for this in Puerto Vallarta, I found myself coming up short.

“Of course it’s going to be more expensive to live in Zona Romantica,” says Mariano. “But this isn’t the residential zone, where the general townspeople live. I don’t think the local community has been negatively affected at all, because tourism from the LGBT community generates so much money for Vallarta.”

But it’s also not just about the money tourists bring in. “By and large, [gay tourism to Puerto Vallarta] is a positive because the effect is that it creates a safer environment for everyone,” says Emma.

“Multiculturalism gives you more ways to look at life,” says Otoniel. “This is a good thing for cities. And when I was living there [in 2018] San Francisco and Vallarta were declared sister cities. This led to a sharing of technology and health resources that didn’t exist. A lot of information about PrEP started being given out, which is now common but back then it wasn’t really.” This wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for the queer community’s love and support of Vallarta.

“Maybe I’m speaking from my privilege,” says Adrian. “But I don’t feel like it has really affected us. At the end of the day, the economic boost is huge. But also it’s really put the LGBTQIA+ scene in the spotlight. We always have parties, events, things going on. I haven’t seen a negative change. The city has gotten more expensive, but it hasn’t become prohibitive in the way Mexico City has. At least I don’t see it that way.”

Puerto Vallarta will host hundreds of thousands of people for Pride in May – a lot of hotels are already booked out. Homophobia remains rampant across the world, and across Latin America it remains a glaring issue. So the creation of a haven like Vallarta should be celebrated – but it’s also fair to raise questions around the sustainability of it for the local community.

“Machismo hasn’t gone away but conditions have improved in general in Mexico,” says Otoniel. “And it hasn’t been easy, it’s really been a battle. This process of gentrification is unfortunate. A lot of people wish for the Puerto Vallarta of the past. But these are the dynamics of capitalism. It’s been decades of fighting, of people going to jail for opening businesses that catered to queer people, to turn Puerto Vallarta into what it is now.”

Follow @thisisoutmost for more LGBTQIA+ travel content.

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Dating more people doesn’t have to be more expensive, but it does involve more communicating and could lead to unexpected hurdles

WORDS BY NICOLE GARCÍA MÉRIDA
HEADER DESIGN BY ANISA CLEAVER

One of my longest, most stable relationships came to an end largely because we didn’t know how to talk about money. For months I bit my tongue, refusing to comment on what felt like a deeply unfair arrangement simply because I didn’t know how to communicate my discomfort and was concerned it would descend into an argument. 

My worries weren’t all irrational, as it turned out. It ended for a variety of reasons but ultimately one of the arguments we had over and over, even after we’d broken up, was about how we’d split expenses. 

Talking about finances with a partner can be a source of great anxiety. What happens, then, if you don’t know how to approach the subject and you have to do it with not just one but several people? And how do you work out the logistics of money when there are more than two of you sharing time and space?

These are the realities some people in polyamorous relationships are faced with. When you’re dating more than one person, there’s more things that need to be taken into account. But really, there’s no need for this to be any more complicated than just communicating. 

Don’t forget to check yourself

Before you think about talking about or merging finances with another person, it’s important to take a step back and think about where your own finances stand.

“Everyone in a polyamorous relationship or a polycule needs to have a very firm sense of what their financial trauma is, what their financial needs are,” says Chaneé Jackson Kendall, a polyamorous activist and coach. “We can’t share financial conversations with other people if we don’t even have a firm grasp on our own financial situation.” 

Have the conversations early on –if it feels necessary 

“I think people [in polyamorous relationships] have to be more transparent than they expect they’re going to have to be about their finances earlier in relationships,” says Laura Boyle, relationship coach and author of Monogamy? in This Economy: Finances, Childrearing, and Other Practical Concerns of Polyamory. “You have to be very straightforward about whether or not you think you can afford things like a weekend away or an outing on a much earlier basis than you would otherwise, because you can’t just stretch it on a credit card when you’ve got a partner at home because it affects more people.”

But when thinking about bringing this conversation to the table, it’s also worth thinking about your own situation and how financially involved you want to be with another person. 

“In non-monogamy, I can have a partner that I want to cohabitate with but not necessarily get married to,” says Nick, who runs Decolonizing Love, a page aimed at educating people on polyamory and the ways European colonisation affected the way we practise love alongside his partner Millie. “I can have another partner that I want to have children with but not live with. You can customise every relationship based on the needs of the two people, the dynamic and where that relationship is going and finances go into that as well.”

Dating doesn’t have to cost the world

Dating multiple people can be more expensive – but it doesn’t have to be. “Dating has been commodified, love has become commodified,” says Millie of Decolonizing Love. “I heard a really funny joke, that Valentine’s Day is polyamory bankruptcy week. But it depends on your value system. You might be a polyamorous person who thinks, why do we have to play this game where dating costs money?”

The main thing I learnt from speaking to many polyamorous educators is that there is no one right answer. Everyone’s financial situation is different, and the activities we prioritise are different. Therefore there is no right way to date. Quality time doesn’t have to be based around spending money.  

“I find a lot of people imagine that dating multiple people would be very expensive, but the reality for many polyamorous people is one, they don’t necessarily date that much more than a single monogamous person and two, dates don’t have to cost the earth,” agrees Ro Moëd, a polyamorous writer and coach. “The most meaningful dates I’ve had have been about the time we spend together and the bond we build, and this need not involve extravagant dates.”

Also, if you want to go about splitting the cost of a date, remember that fair doesn’t always mean equal. “I manage splitting costs with partners for experiences that we share by making things equitable,” adds Ro. “That means we may not pay equal shares, but pay what is fair when considering each person’s relative income and daily costs.” 

What if we move in together?

If you live with one or more partners, the same principle of ‘fair does not mean equal’ might still be helpful. And the fact that everyone’s circumstances will be different remains true. 

“My two partners live together full time, and I live a couple hours away. I spend about 1/3 of the month cohabitating with them,” says Annie Undone, a polyamorous writer and educator. “Because I travel so often, they don’t charge me rent. But we have a clear division of labour at the house, and I menu plan, grocery shop, and cook. We split the groceries three ways. We try to make things equitable for everyone. I highly suggest that nested polycules and partners talk about the ways that they divide expenses and time in clear and explicit ways, accounting for differences in income.”

People living with multiple partners may find themselves working with more than two incomes, which sounds great. But they will also find themselves having to accommodate the financial responsibilities of other partners. “The benefit is that there’s more people to share the load,” says Chaneé. “But the drawback is that it really just requires more communication.” 

What challenges do polyamorous people face?

Most, if not all, structures in heteronormative society tend to be built for two – from all-inclusive vacations to taxes. But polyamorous people have found workarounds for these, and it’s important to put powers in place to make sure that should something happen your partners will be protected. 

First, “it’s important to have a clear understanding with the people in your life,” says Chaneé. “My husband and I are legally married and my partner has lived here in the home with us for ten years. If anything were to happen to me and or him, this house would go to her. The most important person for me to have that conversation with is my next of kin and his next of kin, so our sisters are clear about our wishes.” 

Once you’ve made sure the people in your life know what you would want, it’s important to think about the legality of things. “With finances, inheritance and medical issues, there are workarounds that exist but you need to speak with a professional who is licensed in these areas to figure out which of them apply to you in your specific situation,” says Laura. 

But there’s another sticking point here. “What do you do if you can’t afford a lawyer?” asks Millie. There are groups across the world working to advance the rights of polyamorous people –  and change, though slow, is happening. In the US, certain cities have begun recognising and enacting legal protections for those in polyamorous relationships. Polyamory UK, the Polyamory Legal Advocacy Coalition in the US and the Canadian Polyamory Advocacy Association are some of the groups campaigning for fairer rights and protection for polyamorous people, and offer resources for those navigating the legal challenges that surround polyamory. 

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Gentrification pushes prices up and makes venues inaccessible, but businesses feel that it’s just one reason behind the closure and relocation of beloved venues. 

WORDS BY NICOLE GARCÍA MÉRIDA
HEADER DESIGN BY YOSEF PHELAN

If you grew up in a big city, or if you’ve lived in one for a while, odds are you’ve seen gentrification change the face of at least one neighbourhood. It often starts off innocuously: a looming housing redevelopment to the promise of a fresh block of flats that will transform an area from “rough” to “up-and-coming”. 

The shift brings about people who want to buy into the “potential” of an area. Slowly but surely the family-run chippy that’s been on the high street for 50 years turns into a specialty coffee shop. The pub on the corner that’s been run by the same family since the 60s gets bought out by a redeveloper and turned into one that sells craft beer and small plates. New people move in, new businesses start up to suit their needs, and suddenly the transition from sketchy to on the up and up is complete. And with it, the social fabric of an area is completely altered. 

But how does this impact those who are already at a disadvantage? Queer venues serve a marginalised community, one that is far smaller than the one served by straight ones. So how do they cope, when their regulars are forced to move because their area is changing? 

A report published by University College London back in 2017 showed London’s queer venues were in crisis, with 72 closing between 2006 and 2017, leaving just 53 places in the capital from 125 ten years before. In the years since then the remaining venues faced first the pandemic and now the cost of living crisis, adding to the challenges they were facing before. 

The study found queer venues tend to be busy and thriving, but they are forced to close or relocate due to large-scale developments, a lack of safeguarding, rent increases, higher business rates and changes in ownership that can lead to them being turned into straight venues. 

Queer venues face multiple problems 

While gentrification certainly plays a role in the demise of a lot of venues, it’s only one of the issues facing queer nightlife. 

“I’ve seen a lot of queer venues come and go over the past 35 years,” says John Sizzle, co-owner of The Glory, a queer venue in Dalston, east London. “The Joiners Arms, The George and Dragon… They’re very legendary places very much affected by what we call gentrification.” 

The Glory itself will be closing its doors on January 31, and reopening as The Divine in a different east London location. But that’s “not a tale of gentrification as such, just one of a building that’s falling apart”, says John. “I think sometimes people label it all gentrification but really there’s several things going on. You need to consider things such as the pandemic, and the cost of living crisis. It’s not always a case of landlords being ruthless or developers being problematic, it’s coming at you from all angles.”

Business rates, the nighttime levy and the levies on alcohol also massively weigh on a bar’s finances, John adds. “There’s all of these extras added to the pub game, which used to be quite simple. Gentrification is only a small part of it. The finance around business are the issue, and the lack of support for marginalised parts of the community such as the LGBTQ+ one.” 

“I’ve been in the area for over 30 years so I’ve seen a lot of changes,” says Lyall Hakaraia, co-founder of VFD, an independent QTBIPOC arts venue in east London. “The biggest change was after they built the Olympic Park back in 2012. That’s when I would say the big push for gentrification happened in this area.” 

“Because the rents are so high, you only have business popping up for three or four years because they can’t afford to stay,” Hakaraia says. “There was a community because people were here for a long time, and there’s less and less of that now. Venues are flipping every three years because they can’t afford long-term rent.”

“The audiences you’re trying to serve get pushed further and further away from us as a consequence of gentrification,” says Hakaraia. Despite having navigated the Covid hangover, gentrification and the cost of living crisis VFD is currently fundraising for rent after their landlord asked for the payment for the year in advance.

Ultimately, “I can’t say you can lay the blame just on gentrification,” says Hakaraia. “It’s not as simple as that. It’s about wider society, the marginalisation of people and the lack of care, and successive governments who take money away from those who need it most.” 

Consumers are also struggling with accessibility

Inflation, gentrification, greedy landlords – these things all trickle down to consumers too. The cost of everything has gone up exponentially over the past year alone. “Things tend to be quite costly, prices are going up now that places have been gentrified but this could also be down to the cost of living crisis,” says Vijay Ladhani, who frequents queer venues throughout London. “This prices people out and these nights used to be accessible to everyone who’s queer but now it can be a barrier to some people.”  

“It can make crowds very samey,” agrees Louise Patel, who goes out a lot in the queer London party scene. “I’ve only lived in London for about five years but I feel like a lot queer venues are increasingly full of a very specific type of person, usually white and middle class, which I think is fair to say are usually the ones who can absorb the cost of inflation and gentrification. It’s why it’s important to me to look for queer nights that are also catered to people of colour, and a lot of these will have ‘pay what you can’ options which I think is a good way to counter inaccessibility due to higher prices.”

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From this month eBay, Vinted, Depop and Airbnb are among the digital “second income” platforms required to report data to HMRC.

WORDS BY NICOLE GARCÍA MÉRIDA
HEADER BY YOSEF PHELAN

The list of people the government will crack down on tax evasion for before the rich just got longer. Under new rules, digital selling platforms such as Vinted, Depop, eBay, and Airbnb will have to share data about sellers with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). This includes how many sales have been made as well as how much money sellers are generating.

As it was to be expected the news sparked vast discourse online, with many an X (formerly Twitter) user voicing very valid concerns about whether these are really the people we need to be focusing on and not, say, billionaires who avoid tax. But to what extent will these rules affect normal people selling the occasional outfit or old piece of furniture?

What is the “side hustle tax”?

From 1 January 2024 digital second income apps, which include Depop, eBay, Vinted, Etsy, Airbnb, Deliveroo and Uber, will have to collect and share data with HMRC.

The government was already able to access data from these platforms upon request, but now that it has joined the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) companies will be required to report it.

This data will help the government determine whether you’re paying the right amount of tax. But do the Depop girlies need to worry? Not necessarily. This won’t affect you unless you’re making a significant amount of money every year. Still, there are things you need to know to make sure you don’t get done for tax avoidance.

Anyone who earns under £1,000 from a side hustle does not need to declare it or pay tax on it. So the odds are if you’re selling the odd pair of jeans here and there, this won’t affect you. What the government is trying to do is ensure that those who actively trade as shops on Vinted aren’t avoiding tax.

That’s why these platforms will only share data from really active sellers with HMRC – those making over €2,000 (around £1,700) a year or over 30 sales. They’ll first report the data at the end of January 2025.

Regardless, if you make less than £1,700 but over £1,000, you should file your self assessment tax return anyway. It’s not a “double tax”, you’ll still get taxed the standard amount depending on your income.

What do the depop girlies think about this whole thing?

Adam Jay, chief executive at Vinted, told the BBC the changes are likely to only impact “quite a small proportion of users” on the platform. But still, understandably, sellers are concerned – and not just about the tax implications. There’s also a real sense that this isn’t who the government should be focusing on.

Daisy Culleton, who averages between £200 to £400 selling clothes on Vinted, worries that sellers will push prices for second hand clothes up to accommodate for potentially being taxed. “I think this is such a shame as second hand shopping should be accessible for everyone and anyone,” Daisy says.

“My greatest concern relates to environmentalism and sustainability,” she adds. “Through apps such as Vinted we are increasing the life span of thousands of garments every day, so it would be horrible to see this chapter in sustainable fashion come to a close so quickly all because of greedy taxation.”

“Of course regulations can be necessary, especially on those sellers who are evading significant amounts of tax, but those individuals will be few and far between on platforms like Vinted,” says Oshani Fallows, who regularly sells clothes on the platform. “Particularly when you compare them to the millionaires and billionaires famed for tax evasion at the top of these fashion conglomerates.”

“Ultimately there’s a real sense that the wrong people are being targeted and actually the knock on implication that can have on slow fashion is seriously significant,” she adds. “I’ll definitely be thinking twice about what I should sell and the price point at which I do so.”

So what if I do make over £1,000?

If your side hustle evolved from selling the odd top here and there into a fully fledged business and you’re making over £1,000, you’ll need to file for self assessment.

There is no sugarcoating it – filing your self assessment tax return is a long, laborious process. If you are not numerically inclined, I would highly recommend getting an accountant. If you want to brave it yourself, make sure you don’t miss the deadline (January 31st) and that you’re meticulously combing through your earnings and reporting even platform fees to make sure you don’t overpay or underpay.

The post Everything you need to know about the government’s “side hustle tax” appeared first on GAY TIMES.

Going freelance can be fun and exciting – but it also means that as well as your own boss, you’ll be your own accountant.

WORDS BY NICOLE GARCÍA MÉRIDA
HEADER DESIGN BY YOSEF PHELAN

So you’ve decided to strike out on your own and join the big bad world of freelancing. Good for you! It has its perks for sure – the agency, the flexibility, the ability to work from pretty much wherever you want. But you are also now 100% responsible for managing your finances.

It can be daunting, particularly for those of us not numerically inclined. But ultimately, managing your money as a freelancer isn’t really about the numbers, it’s more so about staying on top of things.

Spreadsheets are your best friends

Familiarise yourself with spreadsheets. Aside from making a budget, track the projects you’re working on and how much tax you’re going to have to pay so that you know the net total you’re going to end up with.

“When I left the corporate world to focus on freelance journalism I never thought I’d look at a spreadsheet again, but they’ve saved my life – or at least my bank balance – on multiple occasions,” says Kaite Welsh, who’s been freelance for most of her journalism career.

“I track every query I send and how much time I spend on it, from inception to payment if it gets picked up,” adds Welsh. “That means I can see at a glance via the glorious medium of pie charts where most of my time is spent, and which fields or publications most of my money is coming from.”

Diversify your income stream

That said, it’s important to find different ways to use your skills. “There’s often a difference between the work you do for clout and the work you do for income,” adds Welsh. “The smartest thing I ever did when it came to freelance finances was to keep track of both my most profitable clients and my most frequent clients, and realising that they weren’t always the same thing was crucial to developing a sustainable career.”

Ash Jayy, a freelance journalist and social media consultant, agrees. “At first, I was focused 100% on influencer marketing,” says Jayy. “Now, I offer influencer marketing, social media consulting, content creation (and so much more) as well as my work as a freelance journalist. This means that if one branch of my freelance tree dries up for a while, I have other things I can focus on.”

Taking on jobs that fulfil you is important, but it’s hard to be fulfilled when you’re stressed about covering your basic needs.

"Taking on jobs that fulfil you is important, but it’s hard to be fulfilled when you’re stressed about covering your basic needs."

Prioritise your taxes

Speaking of covering basic needs – your tax bill is about to become one of them. When you’re employed, your employer takes care of income tax and national insurance. Now it’s your job to make sure you don’t get done for tax avoidance.

First you have to make sure you have enough to cover your taxes. The basic rate of income tax is 20 per cent, while national insurance is around 13 per cent, so around 30 per cent of your income will go to taxes. This increases if you make over a certain amount but is a good rule of thumb.

“[Tax bills] always sneak up on you,” says Jayy. “That first full year was way bigger than I expected it to be. Now, I always put away 30 per cent of every single invoice, even the small ones. That way, I know I’ll have enough to cover my tax bill plus my accountant fees and I usually have a little bit left over.”

Consider getting an accountant

That takes me on nicely to the next point – if this is entirely all too much, and honestly it can be, think about getting an accountant.

“People will tell you the return is easy and can be done in an afternoon, but if you’re someone who makes a living from words, not numbers, it’s better to call in a professional,” says freelance journalist Hilary Mitchell. “I once tried to do it myself and accidentally triggered a £1700 rebate, which I spent. HMRC asked for it back, I didn’t have it and it was a whole thing.”

“Also, an accountant can often find ways for you to save money on your tax bill – as much money as they are costing you, sometimes,” adds Mitchell. “So in that respect they can pay for themselves.”

Don’t forget your pension

When you’re employed you’re automatically enrolled into pension contributions, and most of the time your employer will top these up. These are then invested into pension funds and benefit from compound interest. This is the interest you earn on money you’ve saved, plus the interest you earn on that, so the longer you let it sit there, the more it will grow without you having to do anything.

Once again, this ends when you go freelance. While national insurance does go towards your state pension, it’s not really recommended you rely solely on that in retirement. Currently it’s just above £200 a week, so you want to make sure you’re supplementing it with a private pension.

The minimum contribution into workplace pensions is around 5%, but you can do 3% or 8% – as long as you’re contributing something into a private pension. These are offered by different providers, so make sure you do your research before trusting one with your money, and if in doubt always seek financial advice.

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Financial stress can stop you from getting in the holiday spirit. But there’s things you can do to get ahead of it, and to minimise a post-Christmas financial hangover. 

WORDS BY NICOLE GARCÍA MÉRIDA
HEADER DESIGN BY YOSEF PHELAN

There’s many things to love about the holiday season. Fairy lights’ main character energy, how glitter becomes an acceptable addition to anything and everything, the general sense of cheer that seems to take over the air, work parties with open bars. But there’s also a lot of pressure around making it the most wonderful time of the year, which could feel that much harder this time round as the cozzie livs crisis rages on.

In true British fashion we’ve all adopted this silly little abbreviation, but the fact we’ve been forced to is actually very grim. Dealing with higher prices is hard enough – throw the holidays into the mix, and no one would blame you for having a menty b.

In all seriousness, many of us have been stressing about money a lot more than usual lately. Between present buying and everyone you know trying to squeeze in one final group dinner before the end of the year, it makes total sense for that stress to heighten around the holidays.

If you feel like you’re drowning a bit, there are things you can do to cope with money worries, as well as help minimise a post-holiday financial hangover.

Budget, budget, budget

Make a list of the people you want to buy presents for, the activities you definitely don’t want to miss, how much the train home will be, and have a look at your bank balance. What amount of this, realistically, can you dedicate to consumerist festive cheer? Try your hardest to stick to it, and if your bank app has this function maybe even put it in a separate pot to your current account so that you can better keep track of it.

Learn to say no

It’s hard deciding what nights out or dinners to miss out on when it seems like everyone is trying to get together. But your January self, who will be stretching out a paycheck for a week longer than usual, will seriously thank you. If you spend less on a couple of the occasions you’ve budgeted for, you may be able to squeeze another one in. It may feel like you’re missing out, but remember we’re doing this with the aim of preventing a financial hangover on top of the actual hangover you’re probably going to have for the whole of January. This is what gym bros meant by short term pain, long term gain.

Cut back on presents

According to Money Advice Trust, 14.4 million people are planning to cut back on the number of presents they buy. It’s important to stress that cutting back on presents is fine. We’ve been conditioned to believe the festive season is about gift giving, but as many holiday Hallmark movies will tell you, it’s actually about spending quality time with the people you love.

“People quite often are keen to impress friends and relatives with nice gifts, but I think that if the recipients knew that you were getting anxious or getting yourself into financial trouble buying them gifts, they would almost certainly want you to be less lavish,” says Matt Campbell, independent financial advisor at LGBTQ IFA.

Don’t head straight to the shops

Once you’ve made a condensed list of the people you want to spend your hard earned coin on, think outside the gift-giving box. Hit up charity shops and markets, or apps like Vinted and Depop – even Facebook Marketplace. Handmade gifts are also an option if you’re crafty and these can be far more meaningful and special than anything you could get off a shelf. Also, shop for last minute deals. If you’re not seeing someone you want to get a present for until after Christmas, you can probably get something discounted in the sales.

Avoid getting into debt

Data from the Money Advice Trust shows 24.3 million adults are planning to use credit to pay for Christmas, with 4.7 million people planning to use buy now, pay later products such as Klarna.

Try to avoid this if possible. “Be clear on what you can afford to spend and don’t spend money you don’t have,” says Matt. “Buy now, pay later still involves… needing to pay later. Don’t get yourself into debt to buy gifts that people don’t need.”

Don’t be afraid to speak up

Talking about money can be stressful, but I promise you it is so freeing. However nerve-racking it may feel letting someone know that your budget is a bit stretched this year, or just that you’re worried about money, those who care about you will understand. But it will also help you remove the expectations you have from yourself, alleviating any self-imposed pressure.

If you’re worried about debt, or concerned about paying your bills, there’s free services you can access, including National Debtline, Citizens Advice, and StepChange.

The post Ways to deal with – and prevent – money anxiety around the holidays appeared first on GAY TIMES.

Help has to be made available for parents struggling with higher prices who also have to factor in the massive cost of child care, says Logan Brown. 

WORDS BY NICOLE GARCÍA MÉRIDA
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MONEY SUPERMARKET

I feel pretty comfortable talking about my finances, and I’m quite open when it comes to things like this – probably because I come from a working-class family. I come from a place that’s made me appreciate what I’ve got and what I can’t have. 

That said, I’ve definitely found myself talking about it more recently with prices going up. I think for younger people wanting to start a life and save, it can feel almost impossible. It feels like going around in one big circle. 

The rising cost of childcare 

I’ll be returning to work soon – currently I’m on maternity leave and my partner and I are going to have to put a plan in place for child care. Just the thought of it scares me – I hear some people say they’re paying over £1,000 a month just for child care. On top of that you’re supposed to pay for bills. I think once all of that is paid, most people find themselves scrimping and scraping to be able to have some sort of normality by going out and enjoying their lives, as they should do. 

Our lifestyle has changed now that we have our daughter, she’s the priority and her childcare and necessities come before anything. I know that that means we sometimes may not be able to do other things, and that we will definitely have to think about budgeting more. 

We’re just about in a stable situation where everything is okay, but I worry for other people with lots of kids. I think that must be terrifying. I know people close to me that work a 9 to 5, Monday to Friday, and once they’ve paid all their bills on payday have barely anything to show for it after. It’s sad really. 

Saving for a while feels impossible 

The cost of renting a house these days is ridiculous. If you’re wanting to save for a mortgage while renting, that feels impossible. And I’m worried that it’s going to take a long time to save up for a deposit but that it also feels like I’m just throwing money away every month in a rental. 

On top of that the cost of food has gone up as well. There was a time where you could go to Aldi because it was cheaper, but all supermarkets are becoming the same. 

In the past we have felt like it’s a good idea to keep our money in a savings account held by a close family member so that we’re not easily tempted to dip into our savings. If someone else has our money it makes us think every time – do we really need to buy this? Because we have to ask for the money to be sent to us. 

Budgeting is the way forward 

Going forward I think there’s definitely going to be a lot of budgeting and planning as well as organising for childcare. That feels strange, because my partner and I will both be going to work and yet be paying for someone else to spend time with and look after our daughter. It could even get to a point where one of us isn’t seeing her as much because we’re always working – I can totally see why some parents choose not to go back to work and become stay-at-home parents instead.  

I haven’t actually even thought of using a comparison website to find better deals because I wouldn’t know where to start. When I’ve sorted my bills in the past, they’ve always said “this will be this price” and then before you know it, in a few months, the price rises. I’m definitely keen to look at comparison websites in the future, especially if it will help us as a family. 

Sometimes it feels like this is just the way it is, and we have to put up with it. But there’s nothing shameful about being worried about finances, and I think there needs to be a clearer way people can access help if they’re struggling. Budgeting apps are a good place to start, and it’s good to talk about money issues. While it can feel taboo or like a very private thing, speaking to a close family member or friend about any concerns can help determine what steps can be taken next. It’s okay to seek help, always. 

If you’re looking for ways to make your money go further, MoneySuperMarket has got you covered. From insurance to phone deals, broadband and money, there are always more ways to save.  

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The cost of living crisis has manifested itself within drag king Don One’s bank balance, but they’ve never shied away from talking about money — and neither should the rest of the country.

WORDS BY NICOLE GARCÍA MÉRIDA
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MONEY SUPERMARKET

As someone from a lower-working class background, I grew up with very little. This means I’ve always talked about money, and having less made me want more. From a young age, I was always thinking about ways to make more money. 

I’ve been a self-employed performer ever since I gave up my day job in 2018 to become full-time drag king and it was the best decision I ever made. The first year was a bit of a struggle, but that just made me work even harder.

That said, because I’m self-employed I’m always staying on top of what comes in and what goes out of my account. From the start of 2023, I’ve noticed how quickly my money has been disappearing. Sometimes even when I feel like I’m having a really good month, I’ll go to my bank app to check my account balance and I’ll be shocked. Where’s all my money gone!? Honestly, the cozzie livs crisis is real. 

Spending more on bills and less on coffee 

The cost of everything has increased this year which has made me worry about money a lot more. It can feel like no matter how much I’m making, I’m always spending more. I’ve noticed my energy bills and food shops have increased in price the most. But everything, down to my takeaway coffee, has increased. The price of my coffee order — an oat latte — has gone up by over £1. It feels so wasteful to spend nearly £4 on coffee when I can make some at home, so what used to be a daily treat has become an occasional one. 

Rising prices have also made me more cautious about spending. I’m spending less on clothes, which is actually a positive though because of the impact of fast fashion on the planet. I love cool kicks but I’ve had to curb my trainer addiction, too. And I’ve also been having fewer takeaways. Because my work schedule can be quite busy I’d buy takeaways out of convenience but now that just feels so wasteful and pricey, so I’m trying to meal prep now.

My tax bill is also getting bigger, so even though I try to save money I end up eating into my savings when I pay it. My goal for 2024 is definitely to spend less and save more if I can. I have used MoneySuperMarket to compare and switch my mobile phone tariff, which has saved me money and I would definitely do it again in future. I’m also a big dog lover and have two rescue dogs, so I’m always looking for cheaper pet insurance. 

The cost of a night out means people stay home

I’ve noticed how the cost of living crisis is affecting people’s decisions to go out. People have told me they’re choosing to go out less, which makes sense. If you’re having to spend more just to survive, going out to events is naturally going to become more of a luxury. Nights out are now more expensive than ever before — this is especially true in London where the average price of a pint is around £6, as if a fiver wasn’t enough before! I’ve also noticed more events being cancelled. 

That said, I’m based in East London and whenever I go out it’s still busy so it seems like people are finding the money to have a good time no matter what. But even in Birmingham, my home town, prices have gone up. The cheapest night out I ever had in the UK was a queer night in Sheffield called Andro and Eve. The crowd was great, too, so if you’re up North and want a good night for cheap, that’s the place to be.

Talking about money is necessary, not crass 

It’s very British to avoid having conversations about money, and as a performer it can be frustrating when a booker isn’t up front about the amount of budget they have available. I think it’s important to know your worth and to be able to ask for it. Especially now when we’re in the midst of the cost of living crisis.

I think as with any worry, talking about financial concerns is necessary and helpful. We need to talk about cash. In the UK it’s seen as crass to do so but we need to be more open about it. Ultimately we all rely on money and can’t get by without it. 

If you’re looking for ways to make your money go further, MoneySuperMarket has got you covered. From insurance to phone deals, broadband and money, there are always more ways to save.  

The post Don One: Why We Should All Be Talking About Money appeared first on GAY TIMES.