stories of lgbtq resistance
Collected by Dan Glass
“I’ve absolutely loved being an ‘outreach champion’ with the fantastic Museum of Youth Culture. This exploration has given me the opportunity to connect with fabulous queer legends and to make friends old and new who have brought London’s queer journey of love, life and liberty to life over the last forty years.
Because of homophobia in all its forms we have been denied learning about these gems which have been fought for, danced for and fucked for in all its glory.
My approach has been to cast the net far wider than the stories we have been told because every street and every building has a queer story to tell and because of that I’m so excited for the fierce hearts and minds of the contributors to inspire you. Keep loving and keep fighting out there, until there is absolute freedom for all, Dan, Gay Liberation Front.
This work is dedicated to Tommy Moss, pioneer of Ghetto and Popstarz.”
Dan Glass is an ‘Aids Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) healthcare and human rights activist, performer, presenter and writer. Dan has been recognised as Attitude Magazine’s 'campaigning role models for LGBTQI youth', a Guardian ‘UK youth climate leader’, 2017 'Activist of the Year' with the 'Sexual Freedom Awards' and was announced a 'BBC Greater Londoner' in 2019 for founding 'Queer Tours of London - A Mince Through Time.
www.theglassishalffull.co.uk
Eleanors's research project was part of Setting the Record Straight, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
collection of stories
"This exploration has given me the opportunity to connect with fabulous queer legends and to make friends old and new who have brought London’s queer journey of love, life and liberty to life over the last forty years. Because of homophobia in all its forms we have been denied learning about these gems which have been fought for, danced for and fucked for in all its glory."
Atalanta rebel dykes
‘I had tried to do A levels for a few months but couldn’t cope with the conservatism of the town. In December 84, age 16 and four months after I left school I went to Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp. This was to change the course of and lay the foundations for the rest of my life. I came out as a lesbian during this time. At Greenham I met a network of women activists who I remain friends with to this day, 35 years later.’
Atalanta came from an army background, moving around a lot as a kid. When she was at school she started buying Spare Rib and became interested in feminism and animal rights. After spending her teen outside Winchester in Hampshire, she went to Greenham Common and from there moved to London with group of women with who she spent the next 10 years squatting, working, forming co-ops and going on demos.
vernal scott
'The stigma loomed oppressively large. I felt strongly that it had to be removed, if people with AIDS were ever going to be able to live, and die, with dignity. I wanted to show the human face of the disease, by putting on a national event that would enable the life experiences of people with HIV and AIDS to be seen and heard. It was within this atmosphere that the idea of Reach Out and Touch came to me.'
Vernal Scott is a proud and out Black gay man who was born at St Mary’s Hospital in 1960s London of Jamaican parents. He’s worked in the public and voluntary sectors and been an activist for over four decades.
When I got to Hyde Park on Sunday 15th Sept 1991, according to the police, between four and six thousand people were in attendance. I was amazed at the massive turnout. I took a deep breath and climbed onto the stage, took to the mic and said: “Welcome and thank you. We are gay, we are heterosexual, we are bisexual. We are black, white, Asian and every other race. We are older and younger, mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, lovers and friends. Whoever we are, wherever we live, and however we identify ourselves, we are united by HIV and AIDS, and we’ve come out of the dark and into the light today in remembrance, support and unity with our loved ones who have lived and are living with HIV and AIDS”.
Gorgeous Whitney was true to her word. She joined me on stage with a huge body hug. The crowd went wild. At the mic the smiling star said: “Hello, hello, hello! God bless you all. It is great that you are all here today. I am honored to have been asked to open this event, the Reach Out and Touch Assembly and Procession with Flowers, focusing on those that have been touched by HIV/AIDS, to show support to the thousands of people who are living and the families who have courageously lived alongside their loved ones facing the realities of the disease. Yet, sadly, there is a stigma associated with those afflicted with AIDS. Even as we speak, it is sweeping away our children, our families, our loved ones!” Then, gesturing her remarks with thrusts of her pointed finger: “Our world must continue, through research, to work to find a cure."
The crowd erupted into a hurricane of cheering. There was no stopping them this time. A cure - that is what we were all hoping and praying for and Whitney tapped into that sentiment.
Diane & Christine
Ashtar Al Khirsan
Photographs by Ashtar Al Khirsan, taken in Mark Ashton's flat above the Elephant and Castle and dedicated to the Mark Ashton Trust.
Nadine Nibble
"I am a community artist and activist and usually I work with community groups to tell their stories. When I broke up with my first girlfriend, I found myself telling my own story. Although I had been heartbroken before, nothing had felt like this, the loss of my first queer relationship. With her support I had come out to my family and finally realised my full self. This is a bundle of poems and paintings of grief and celebration, which I gave her and perhaps she still has, either way they are an expression of my deep love, now lost, and out in the world somewhere. When I wasn't sure if this small, deeply personal contribution would fit in this collection, Dan quoted Cheryl Cole at me and said if we didn't have love, we wouldn't fight, and as usual, he was right. We fight for our right to love, and to lose and to love again."
Resis'Dance
Resis'dance are a women and non-binary dance collective that organise events that fundraise for, and build political affinity on the dance floor between one or two groups of their choice. Since founded, they’ve fundraised for Black Lives Matter UK, Sisters Uncut, Latin American Women’s Aid, Joint Enterprise Not Guilty by Association, and many more radical organisations and campaigns. Their DJ workshops teach a variety of skills, some of these include; technical set up for DJs, how to use CDJs, how to DJ with a controller and DJ software and performance.
Maz Islam
House of Brag
Running through the summer of 2014, the London Queer Social Centre housed a series of events as an alternative to the corporate, homogenised, establishment official Pride London.
The space provided a space and a platform to voices that otherwise have difficulty being heard. It was a space for talks, workshops, debates and discussions, film screenings, performances, music and fun, whatever shape the event might take.
i) We aim to create a platform centring the normally most marginalised voices. In line with this aim, we will not be dedicating stage time to political parties
ii) Donations do not buy a platform, logo, or any other special treatment or exposure
iii) We don’t negotiate or engage with the police
iv) We aspire to create spaces emphasizing safety, inclusivity and liberation
v) No entry to any of our events for people with fascist affiliations
vi) We consider squatting as a core tactical tool, in the militant spirit of pride as a protest
Ghetto
jamie & tommy
friends of the joiners arms
Lèse Majesté
Lèse Majesté is a night of soul-filling, mind-bending and body-shaking with QUEER MAJESTY!
This drag King/drag Thing cabaret night is produced by FOTJA and hosted by drag King Prinx Silver. It was born in East London ca. 2018, with the aim to create a safe space for some of the most marginalised people in our community, as well as to platform drag artists who don't fit into mainstream narratives.
Lese Majeste events centres trans and non-binary people, queer womxn and performers of colour.
Photos by Beliza Buzollo (@queergarden). Artists featured: CYRO, Prinx Silver, Bee'Jamming, Quincy Dents, Mr Wesley Dykes, Harout Heart, Benjamin Butch, Monsieur Cookie, CHIYO, Khristian Stanswick, Mr Pan Sexual and the Lads.
michele baron
Photographs by Michele Baron, from 'Lindsay Lohan Is Better Than You', a zine celebrating Queer nightlife, published by Hide It From Your Mum.
