Ever wanted to learn more about the pulsing heart of queer London's Soho? Dan Glass, author of ‘Queer Footprints: A Guide to Uncovering London’s Fierce History', is here to guide you in partnership with OUTbound - TfL's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT+) Staff Network Group.
In this tour, stops include the first actions of the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) that paved the way for the modern Pride movement; antics and performers' stories from legendary nightclubs such as Madame Jojo’s and Ghetto; outrageous unapologetic queerness in 1930’s and 1940’s swinging London from Tallulah-'I’m-a-lesbian-what-do-you-do?’-Bankhead, to Quentin-‘life-was-a-funny-thing-that-happened-to-me-on-the-way-to-the-grave’-Crisp; collective, queer defiance against fascism in the wake of the Admiral Duncan pub bombing; the Valentines Queer Carnival organised by OutRage! Protest movement; queer, black joy from Candy Bar and ‘black and gay back in the day’ and lessons from Dean Street wellbeing services which advanced sexual healthcare across London.
We will be joined by De de la Motte’ pic on the banner and insta and add text here to the outsavvy. - Dan de la Motte is a performer and creative practitioner, specialising in queer heritage, comedic performance and working with children. Recent credits include: Be More Mushroom (as part of a co-artists residency at St Margaret's House), Live To Tell: (A Proposal For) The Madonna Jukebox Musical (Clapham Omnibus and Camden People's Theatre), Still Mad About The Boy (Actors Church). Coming up: Rock N Roll Nature Revelation (with Timberlina, touring to festivals) @Dandelamotte
Meeting point: 12.30pm Admiral Duncan pub, 54 Old Compton Street, London W1D 4UD
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).
