Britain’s top scene club and bar, G-A-Y, has linked up with Gay Star News in a bid to get more sign-ups for a petition to support gay marriage.

Clubbers wanting a night out at G-A-Y club in Charing Cross will be given free entry on Saturday 24 March as a ‘thank you’ if they sign the Coalition for Equal Marriage petition.

Alternatively staff will be on hand at G-A-Y bar on Old Compton Street, Soho, London on the night so people can sign in advance and get a wristband for the club.

G-A-Y boss Jeremy Joseph became concerned when he was altered to the fact that the anti-gay Coalition for Marriage petition has more signatures than the pro-gay Coalition for Equal Marriage one.

The British government has pledged to consult on creating fully-equal gay marriage soon – civil partnerships are already available for same-sex couples. All three major Westminster parties back the move. But the Christian homophobes running the anti-campaign are currently generating lots of positive publicity for their cause.

Joseph said: ‘They are getting so much publicity. They have used their direct contact to their parishioners to make their case and I am using our contact to gay people to get support for gay marriage.

‘There are two parts to this. One is to get names on the petition. But it’s also to raise awareness, it’s going on Gay Star News and on the G-A-Y adverts and that gives people a chance to sign even if they’re not going to the club that night.

‘G-A-Y as a venue and every other venue has a duty to do things like this. That’s one thing that makes us different to a straight club. We have to give back.’

Scott Nunn, Gay Star News director, added: ‘It’s great we’re working with Jeremy and the G-A-Y team on this. It’s a really fun way to raise awareness and get numbers on this vital petition rocketing.

‘Plus we’re looking forward to our night out. We hope to see you there.’

Joseph told us that he’s not expecting anyone to propose to him on the night but does hold out some hopes for the evening.

‘Maybe, just maybe, I may be asked to be a bridesmaid,’ he told us.

Other recent community initiatives from G-A-Y have included an HIV testing day. And Joseph has been raising money for the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which will see him run the London Marathon on 22 April.