Since living in London and growing their LGBT+ model agency, Paulo and John have fallen in love with the city’s openness and now perceive it as the gay capital of the world
Husband and husband team, Paulo Ribeiro and John Bruce have labelled London, and the wider UK, the “gay capital of the world” after experiencing “closed gay communities” in other parts of the globe.
Originally born in the UK, John, 41, grew up in South Africa and realised he was gay in his late teens. “[I was] scared to come out and with no one to talk to, it was rather hard living in a country with a ‘closed gay community,'” he said.
“I decided to move back to my birth city, London, in 2003 at the age of 21, where I knew I’d feel safer being myself. As predicted, within a few months I found myself in a city and country that was openly welcome to who I am,” he added.
“London has something for everyone. It is incredibly diverse, inclusive and there is support everywhere – I cannot be prouder of who I am and the decision I made.”
After spending a few years in London as an openly gay adult, John met his future husband, Paulo, and the pair are now celebrating 13 years together. “The UK is centre of the map for diversity and inclusivity – this can be a great support when having life challenges,” commented John.
“Working in London and being able to be ourselves as openly gay, has allowed us to achieve great success,” John added.
For the couple, setting up their modelling agency in the capital seemed like a no brainer. “People accept you here and no one looks at where you come from in this world,” said 46-year-old Paulo, from Brazil.
The couple noted how there isn’t just one thing about London that makes it a hub for the LGBTQIA+ community. “London has a great arts, culture, fashion academies, and they just invite everything,” Paulo shared.
Whilst the couple noted how LGBTQIA+ tourism and events used to be concentrated to Soho, the now wider spread LGBTQIA+ tourism across London allows the city to be even more accessible. “Soho was the hub of partying, the centre point for expression for everything and everyone,” Paulo shared. “Now, it has changed completely — the communities make their own [events and tourism] and have branched off.”
One example Paulo mentioned was Clapham, in South West London, dubbing it the new “little gay hub”. Home of the famous Two Brewers gay bar, a current finalist in the Great British Pub Awards 2024 for the best entertainment category, Clapham has become known for its LGBTQIA+ community and attractions.
Other LGBTQIA+ attractions in Clapham include the cocktail bars — Arch and The Bridge, award winning lifestyle store Fetch and the 96 Festival which celebrates queerness and theatre, running from now until July 13.
Whilst Paulo and John both believe “Soho still firmly holds the flag” as the LGBTQIA+ hub in London, let alone the whole of the UK, the pair also recognised recent efforts from other cities to embrace the LGBTQIA+ community. “Manchester has its own street — Canal Street — fighting for a top spot, which is exciting to see,” commented Paulo.
Having both experience “closed gay communities” growing up, Paulo and John feel lucky to live in a city and country that allows them the freedom to be nothing but themselves.
Together, Paulo and John run PRM modelling agency, one of the most diverse modelling agencies in the world where the couple represent an array of LGBTQIA+, refugee and over 40s models…..Fínd Óut Móre
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