The following is an article in the Cyprus Mail on the Pink Party at Secrets Club in Larnaca. The newspaper's website can be found at www.cyprus-mail.com

Fever pitch

Cyprus’ premier gay club recently celebrated its first birthday with balloons, streamers and a good time for all

“I swear, they are a human jigsaw puzzle,” a friend of mine exclaimed unable to take her eyes off the three guys intertwined and rubbing up against each other while hanging on to a pole.
Further down, more action was taking place as two young girls danced their way onto the floor, horizontally, I might add. Definitely something you don’t see everyday. Shirts and t-shirts were off and I found myself unable to look away. It was everywhere and it was fun. This may sound like a normal night of clubbing in a London or New York joint but in fact I was in the gay club, Secrets Freedom, in Larnaca enjoying liberating moments of a kind rarely experienced in Cyprus.

It was girl’s night out and we had decided to attend the Pink Party at Secrets Club, which was celebrating it’s first birthday. Decked in pink underwear, feather boas, tight jeans and hot pink heels, we slowly descended the staircase and found ourselves face to face with a woman behind bars and several muscley security figures who kindly let us in. Having arrived a bit too early (23:30), we seated ourselves at the bar, ordered a drink and took in the surroundings. Obviously, being a Pink Party, the club was decorated in pink bows and pink balloons but that was the least distracting part; this club has style, it has character. Cubicles with couches lined one of the walls, separated by railings wrapped in climbing plants, small round tables scattered around the dance floor opposite the DJ box and the stage. Oh yes, there’s a stage and that could only mean one thing: performances!

Nick and Bill, the owners of Secrets Freedom and in addition to being partners for 41 years are the backbone of this sanctuary for many gays around the island. Having been thrown in prison six times and threatened with a gun at least once, Nick is proud of what they have achieved. “We fought really hard,” he said. “The first Secrets Club opened three years ago and we even had a license but as soon as the authorities found out it was a gay club, problems started. We would be raided every night and police would pick at small things and put me behind bars. We tried to get the license renewed but we couldn’t, we were having trouble coming from a lot of people.” Nick and Bill finally decided to take the matter and the police to the high court. The result? “We won, moved the club to another location and have been clear from trouble for a year now. That’s why we are celebrating the club’s first birthday.”

Three Smirnoff Ice and a free shot of Zambuca later, I found myself dancing, swinging my glow sticks around (they were giving them out) and striking up conversations with various people. Unlike your average Cyprus club, this was a place where everyone was there for a good time, kisses were exchanged throughout the night and vital questions such as “Are you gay?” replaced the usual “Have you got a boyfriend/girlfriend?” When a young girl walked straight up to me, tapped me on the shoulder and asked me point blank if I was gay or straight, I found myself laughing, unable to restrain the shock of actually being hit on by a girl in Cyprus. It’s happened to me before but I was in London. I drunkenly explained that I am straight, which was followed by another question: “Are you sure?” She was cute and extremely polite but yes, I’m sure. Moving on, other topics of conversation include the best way to get rid of chest hairs. This can be carried between a female and a male, “who loves taking his clothes off but is somewhat embarrassed by the amount of hairs on his chest.” Demonstration was required and advice was given. I was glad to be of assistance.
Performances by a male exotic dancer sporting only an orange, satin g-string, towering white wings, body glitter and a mask were on the menu while Caroline, a member of the all-new UK pop group Intrigue, made an appearance which was more than welcomed by the few ladies in the house. Unfortunately, we missed the male strippers, who usually perform on Wednesdays and Fridays but were ecstatic when three amateurs took to the stage. Hips were swinging away to Joe Cocker’s You can leave your hat on and clothes were tossed around the club. I pushed my way through the crowd and to my astonishment everything was off (including the hat) and the boys earned themselves a shot each.

But it wasn’t the performances that made that night a night to remember. As my friend put it: “Cyprus isn’t quite ready for this yet!” It was the whole package that made this club a breathtaking experience. Even if you’ve heard of a gay club in Cyprus, you could never imagine that it actually exists, g-strings, male strippers and all! And indeed, entering Secrets Freedom club, you are suddenly taken away by how much fun everyone is having through interaction. It wasn’t about what you were wearing or not wearing or even if you could dance or not; it just didn’t matter, it was all about leaving inhibitions at the door and being able to enjoy. After all, that is exactly what everyone else was doing. “But that’s the whole point,” exclaimed Nick. “We are proud that we are able to give gay and straight people an outlet where they can be free.”

Nick and Bill receive letters from homosexuals all over the island explaining their situation and how difficult it is to ‘come out’ in a country like Cyprus, sometimes considering ending their lives. “But despite all this, I can safely say that Cypriots are becoming more open-minded about homosexuality. It’s not something that surprises them anymore but we’ve still got a long way to go.” I would disagree, as it seemed to me that we are definitely on the right track and getting there a lot more quicker than anyone would have thought. Most of the people in the club were Cypriot and some had travelled a long way to be there. “I’m from Limassol and simply can’t resist driving down here to have a great night out,” said one topless clubber. Another had travelled a bit further. “It’s my first time here. I live in New York,” said a dark-haired American-Cypriot, who is bisexual. “I had heard of this place and decided to check it out. They’ve done a really good job.”

After five hours of non-stop chatting, dancing, drinking, laughing and just having a good time, we grabbed our glow sticks and bags and headed towards the cars. We weren’t ready to leave but dancing in heels isn’t easy. “Not to fret though,” one of my friends remarked, “we’ll be back!”

Secrets Freedom Club
Tel: 99-557433 www.secretsfreedomclub.com