STUNNERS STUDIOS

As you will know from reading our other pages, we recently asked members for Testimonials (see Hayley's Report for whys and wherefores). 

 We were so taken aback by how much Stunners means to so many people that I decided to put some snippets on here for others to read and for those who are wondering whether to come along, to help them get a feel for Stunners...

....after much deliberation  I got out for the first time last Friday 28th Nov
I decided to go to Stunners, it was a case that I had been threatening to go out dressed somewhere for ages and my window of opportunity was fast closing, again.
I think I too was afraid of many things as I drove down into London (Dressed) without a change of clothes.  My planning was not that great, I did not have enough fuel in the car I had to stop and fill up. Luckily I found an unmanned 24 hour station that was empty, that is until I got out of the car!
On arriving at the venue I found that I did not have enough cash for the evening so I drove around trying to find a cash point that met all the right conditions for me to get out and get my money.
I just mention those things so that you don't make same mistakes when you decide the time is right.
I got to Stunners fairly late in the night and eventually parked in a space just in front of the building.  So it was no or never... there were a few taxi drivers milling around, I thought what the heck these guys  are probably used driving tvs all over the place so, with many nerves I got out of the car pulled my mini back down over my butt cheeks and started to make my walk across the small car park through the arches and too the safety of the the club. What was I going to find when I got in?

I soon as I entered for some stupid reason I blurted out that it was my first time out, they immediately reasured me it was like an instant shot of relief.

At the door the lovely Zoe and Sky made me feel Very welcome... Zoe then took me round and introduced me to some of the locals... Nice amber behind the bar, though she was not in her usual attire still nice girl anyways, cant wait to meet dolled up.
Phil seems to be a nice chap.

Hayley is a darling and talked to me for a while and reassured me, thank you for that Hayley.
Richard (Steed) looks to be good for a laugh and has a good sense of humour.
Zoe then showed me the rooms not quite sure what to make of the dark room but you never know maybe one day I might just pretend I have my eyes closed!
Lots of nice people cant remember
Star and Roxy very nice thanks for the drink Roxy and for the chat Star.
Jayne is very lovely managed to get me on the dance floor thanks hunny.
Zoe talked to me until I was settled in... then in the blink of an eye I had to run back to my carriage before it turned into a pumpkin.
Lots of nice people sorry cant remember all the names I was very nervous... some hot girls and some cool dudes. 

I am sure that if you ask Debbs essex, although I haven't had the pleasure. On Monday Lacy Ladys night it should not be any different for someone to take you under their wing and make you feel welcome and safe. 

Although my  answer is a bit lengthy, I hope that helps you some. I'm sure I could have ranted about a lot of other considerations but I hope this gives you a small insight and the courage to get out there.

I for one will be going out again when and where is in the wind but it was great I got a lot of compliments whether I deserved them or not, I met some friendly people and noticed a couple of fellas lusting after me.

All good I think...   go for it girl

offer my support for maintaining this unique and special venue.
Stunners provides a safe and comfortable place for people who cannot feel relaxed and safe socialising in conventional venues.
Transgender and queer people have no comparable venues available in the East London area. Gay bars can often be as hostile towards transgendered people, disabled people and people who have an
unconventional appearance, as regular bars and clubs are. I cannot think of anywhere that offers such a safeenvironment for unconventional people; Stunners is somewhere that the disenfranchised can feel completely relaxed, be themselves and know that they are safe.Stunners welcomes people,however unusual their appearance is, and adults of all ages and abilities too; including those ostracised by mainstream society. It is a haven where everyone is made to feel included and welcomed.

Stunners enriches the lives of many who would otherwise feel isolated and alone.The clientele who patronise Stunners are peaceful people who lead private lives and avoid conflict at all costs. I'm sure you can appreciate the challenges that people who do not fit in to the mainstream face on a daily basis. Stunners provides a sanctuary for those who wish to socialise safely, privately and quietly, without fear of being attacked. If Stunners disappeared, there would be nowhere else for their clientele to go. It would be detrimental to the quality of life of so many people, many of whom would have no social life and be housebound without it.

 The Stunners "family" provide each other with a valuable support network in today's violent and confrontational society.Without Stunners the world would be a sadder place.I have no hesitation in offering my wholehearted support for this wonderful venue.

This is to voice my support for the continued existence of Stunners
in Cable Street. As a former winner of the Tate Gallery's Turner
Prize and as professor for fine art at Staedelschule in Frankfurt
I 'd like to state that Stunners is a unique inspiration to
numerous artists, musicians and writers in East London. Stunners
offers a vital meeting place for a colourful mixture of guests who
are otherwise left without a welcoming and safe environment. East
London prides itself of being home to one of Europe's most vibrant
artistic and creative community as well as of it's tolerance and
diversity. A secured existence of Stunners in it's current
premises would be evidence of all East London claims to be.

I have been coming to Stunners every months for its night called KAOS, and indeed have found it to be a unique environment for the london queer community. Stunners offers a facility which works against the commercial circuit, as it is inclusive of all sexualities, ages, disabilities and mind sets. If Stunners was to close, it would be a grave loss to the _expression of my identity within the london queer scene, and a loss to many friends whom i know find in Stunners a friendly, welcoming, unique environment. London does not need to reduce it's potential for diversity and its capacity to cater and welcome those who are different and belong to gender or sexual minorities. If Stunners was to close, it would be a sign of a shift towards exclusion which seems to me not to correspond to the multicultural status of london and Tower Hamlets.

Stunners is a uniqe and valuable queer and transgender community resource, I never been in a place where so many different people can live in harmony under one roof.

Stunners has played a very important part in my life. It has provided me a much needed space where I feel safe and secure, away from the commercial world and where I can allow myself to be truely relaxed and open about parts of my personality I have to suppress a lot of the time I am not at Stunners. I also know this is true for many of my friends, people I have met at Stunners and people I have introduced to Stunners. It would be a huge loss to London and the diversity of the area if Tower Hamlets was to allow Stunners to be put at risk of not continuing in the wonderful way that it does.

Please do all you can to keep Stunners going and providing a much needed haven for such wonderful and diverse people.

Can I also say a huge thanks to the wonderful staff, hosts and security. There is no where like it in London and probably the UK.

Myself and my partner have been attending Stunners for three years and have never found a friendlier and more excepting environment. Stunners caters for all sexualities, disabilities and ages, people that would not feel safe or welcome in most other bar/club environments.

 In a lot of cases Stunners is the only time the patrons can be among other like minded people and truly be themselves.

Without Stunners a lot of the people would have no connection with other people in the community - Far from shutting Stunners, I would give it Lottery funding for the good work it does.