‘All Power to the People!’: Ladbroke Grove Tour ending up at Daunt Books in Holland Park in partnership with OUTbound - TfL's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT+) Staff Network Group. All profits go to local Grenfell Justice movements.
Meeting point - 4pm at Ladbroke Grove station entrance for the walking tour. 6pm at Daunt Books in Holland Park
Ever wanted to learn more about the queer history of Ladbroke Grove? Dan Glass, author of ‘Queer Footprints: A Guide to Uncovering London’s Fierce History', is here to guide you.
Highlights - if you came to find Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant smooching in a doorway, you’re holding the wrong book. An area so rich through its transformations, it is fundamental to the make-up of the UK. Here you will discover those living in the burgeoning queer communes, a flourishing trans community, life in the theatres, pissed-off police and coalition-building between black and queer communities who once locked po-faced authoritarian councillors in a church hall. Come and be inspired by voices and movements at the intersections of LGBTQIA+, racial and social justice including the ‘Universal Black Improvement Organisation’, Malcom X, Nina Simone, George Michael,‘Claudia Jones, Frank Crichlow, Bette Bourne, Nettie Pollard, Jackie Forster and the flourishing of ‘Sappho Magazine’. We will also explore critical moments that helped pave the way for freedom today such as ‘Princess Diana and the Handshake’, the Gay Liberation Front Communes and the occupation at ‘The Champion Pub’ that has parallels with the Stonewall Uprising.
We will be joined by Gay Liberation Front (GLF) life-long activist Nettie Pollard. Both Nettie’s parents, separately, met at the Battle of Cable Street. Nettie joined YCND at 16. Active in GLF and Women’s Liberation from 1971. Nettie shares, “There is a bond between GLFers ‘out of the closets and onto the streets’ as it was so different from the deferential homophile groups. Rights – marriage, jobs, family life-can easily be taken back by oppressive governments. Think Trump. Think Bolsonaro. I believe the only way forward is to join with others not for a seat at the top table but to abolish the top table. A change in the whole structure of society. At the moment it means working with other marginalized groups such as trans, refugees, homeless, sex workers. We won’t make it unless we make it together.” Contact Nettie on nettiepollard@gmail.com
Accessibility - the nearest station with step-free access is Paddington
Contact - @danglassmincer / alright@theglassishalffull.co.uk
Illustrations by the brilliant Mark Glasgow.
PRAISE FOR QUEER FOOTPRINTS PUBLISHED BY PLUTO PRESS - Pre-order here
‘The strength and the beauty of this book is its resolute and joyful nod to queer history, the multiplicity of our stories and the ongoing, transformative process of our queer footprints which continue to add layers onto the city I was lucky enough to grow up in. London, through the eyes of Glass, is ever-changing but always radical.’ Juno Roche.
"This electrifying book is an adventure book through London’s untold queer past. Every page is packed with inspiring, moving and downright hilarious secrets just itching to be uncovered - and with the riotously entertaining Dan Glass as your mincing tour guide - you’ll have an absolute blast as you do. A word of warning: after reading this, London will never seem the same again." Sam Arbor, Film Director
"Queer Footprints is your back pocket guide to our queer/LGBTQIA+ histories, full of joy and ammunition to claim without any shame our beautiful queer futures." Tash Walker, host of The Log Books podcast and Co-Chair of Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline (2018 - 2022).
