Hosted by the lovely Janet we took a tour of Kings Cross - stopping off to hear LGBTQ+ stories of the past and the present.
Islington has been highly influential in the growth of the LGBT+ community, its organisation and rights through the 20th and 21st century. Islington’s Pride walk around Kings Cross was about celebrating activism and community support from the setting up of London Switchboard in the 1970s through to current organisations such as Say it Loud and Gendered Intelligence.
The walk started under the clock at Kings Cross Station but soon moved to Regent’s Quarter with its association with Pentonville - the prison where Oscar Wilde was first incarcerated before being moved to Reading Gaol. This was of course after his conviction following the famous accusation of "posing as a sodomite."
We then stopped off outside the Scala where we heard outrageous stories of the LGBT and queer trashy all-nighters held there in the 1980s. Music, porn, dancing, drinking, Jayne County, Lily Savage, the New Depression, and all manner of trash. Needless to say I had a few stories of my own to add!
Next up was The Bell - a place where I all but lived for 5 years. We got to hear about Movements disco, the door policy, the dancing, the safe space, the heady mix of optimism, charity, respect and decadence.
We then walked past the place where, until recently, Oscar's Cinema used to be. Famous for its hard-core gay porn it was only closed down six years ago after complaints from neighbours. Gentrification in action, folks!
Nearby was charity London Friend. Established in 1972, it was the first LGBT organisation to get a Government grant. It still does amazing work today supporting the health and mental well-being of the LGB&T community in and around London.
Finally we reached Central Station - the place of so many stories - the fun, the laughter, the meeting place of so LGBT sports clubs, societies, and 'special interest' groups(!)
Janet has a first class host for the walk adding many personal anecdotes and encouraged us to share our own.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.