LGBTQ+ History Month

Pride Walks Tall

February is LGBTQ+ History Month and London has come up with a tempting spread of events to celebrate, entertain, educate and include. What’s really impressive is the contribution to our general enjoyment of life that springs from this quarter. In Alan Turing’s case, his contribution to our very lives…

Meantime, Francis Bacon mesmerises at the Royal Academy of Arts until April 17^th and Caravaggio astounds us all from the restored grandeur of Room 32 at the National Gallery. But there’s also Fierce Queens in Greenwich, memories of Lily Savage at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, and Queer Kings in Westminster Abbey. Fun things to do in London. Heaven, indeed.

Pride of the Royal Opera House

Royal Opera House, Covent Garden

5^th, 12^th, 19^th and 25^th Feb

£16, plus various other tours until May

A tribute to pioneering composers, choreographers and gender–fluid performers; the many contributions made to music and theatre by LGBTQ+ icons. What’s not to love? Book now. Demand is high. Consult website for Covid compliance. Adult themes and sexual references.

Tours through till May.

£16.

Fierce Queens Event

Queen’s House Greenwich

25^th Feb, 7–11pm

The annual “at home” in the Queen’s House Greenwich is back (accessible, inclusive and gorgeous). Fierce Queens, Kings and “everything in between” to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month with hosts Adam All and Apple Derrieres: this year’s theme, Secrets of the Deep, invites mermaids, mermen, merthems, pirates, sailors and sea creatures to join the party. The whole LGBTQ+ Community is invited. Also gender diverse performances, queer history treasure hunts and more.

Note: some mobility scooters require assistance from staff for access. Also a quiet wave-inspired room is available.

Adult £16, member £14, concession £12. Companions go free.

Queer City Tour

Museum of London Docklands

5^th, 12^th, 19^th and 26^th Feb

Join the Museum of London as it reveals the history and culture of today’s Queer community in the city. From Romans in love to Pride and prejudice, the experts uncover the past through the museum’s collection - spanning almost 2000 years of history. It’s a gallery tour (advance booking essential) and it’s free. But hurry, places are going fast.

Minimum age: 14. Free advance booking.

LGBTQ+ life in Limehouse: a queer beer crawl

Museum of London Docklands

12^th Feb, 2pm

Limehouse basin (the original Chinatown of London) was once a famous haunt of foreign sailors. The Urban Rambler, Nick Collinson leads an afternoon touring the streets of Limehouse, focusing on the LGBTQ+ community (then and now). With stops at various pubs for refuelling along the way.

Paid advance booking. Min age 18. Duration: 2hrs 30m

Desire, Love, Identity

LGBTQ+ object trail at the British Museum

All February

Erotic scenes on wine amphora from Greece; cross gender ancient rulers. Although ‘Desire, Love, Identity’ is not restricted to LGBTQ+ History Month (it continues beyond February) it’s entirely appropriate to the theme and to the deep history of gender, sexuality and identity. Plus it’s a great way to reacquaint yourself with one of London’s biggest and best museums.

Free. All of February and beyond

Queer Westminster Abbey

Self-guided

We suggest you go to the website of Rictor Norton and his Gay Guide to Westminster Abbey before you have a look around the Abbey this month. He gives a brief run–down of queer poets and playwrights and reveals some surprising kings: “one of the gayest of monarchs, King James I (1566–1625)… On His Majesty’s left is the magnificent tomb of his lover George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham (1592–1628).” Spare a thought, too for Lord Byron, who never wanted his bones to be brought back from Greece, but was repatriated and twice refused burial in poet’s corner. There is now a modest mention of him in the South Transept.

Royal Vauxhall Tavern, Vauxhall

372 Kennington Lane, SE11.

The RVT is rightly famous for its welcoming alternative entertainment. “Serving confirmed bachelors and friends since long before Kylie was born” is its boast. Just log on for details and enjoy with Pride. Club nights and cabaret drag acts in a Grade II listed establishment, built on land that was originally part of the old Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. In the 1980s the RVT was raided by policemen wearing surgical gloves. Lily Savage/Paul O’Grady who was performing that day, quipped that The Met was only there “to help with the washing up.”

The Friendly Society

79 Wardour St, W1.

Inviting downstairs gay bar with LOTS of mirror balls and Barbie dolls stuck to the ceiling. Reviewers like the cocktails and the music. Nice vibe, they say: “light–hearted and approachable,” “kitsch and genuinely friendly.” Time Out says: “Anyone with a sense of fun will feel at home, whatever their gender and sexuality.”

The Yard Bar

57 Rupert St, W1.

Just like the name says, located within a courtyard off Rupert St, away from the bustle of Soho; heated garden yard bar and balconied loft bar, so good for all four seasons. Bills itself as Soho’s most unique gay venue, walk-ins welcome, though tables can be reserved for free. Comprehensive cocktail menu.

Heaven

Villiers Street, WC2

Home to Live Music, G-A-Y and Popcorn. Midwife to acid house and ambient house. Until Heaven came along, most London gay clubbing was on a smaller scale, often in cellar bars or pubs. Heaven was a superclub, and openly gay at a time when Section 28 was in force. But you don’t need me to tell you any of this. It is the stuff of legend.

Out at Sea

National Maritime Museum, Greenwich

19^th Feb

Family-friendly queer maritime festival. On Saturday 19^th February the Out at Sea festival offers creative workshops, storytelling, stunning performances and a special tour of the museum. Come and celebrate queer maritime history. Suitable for the whole family.

The museum is hosting various other events for LGBTQ+ History Month, including the annual queer takeover of the Queen’s House (for grown-ups only).

Out at Sea is free, but book ahead.

Rainbow Week Half Term Family Workshops

National Maritime Museum, Greenwich

Badge making and BSL craft workshops among various activities celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month in Greenwich with the National Maritime Museum.

BFI Flare

London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival

Programme launch and ticket sales for this 12 day cinema spectacle start in February (the programme actually starts screening in March so plenty of time to plan ahead). Dates to watch out for are:

15^th Feb: Programme Launch on BFI YouTube and BFI Flare Facebook

21^st Feb: priority bookings open for BFI Patrons and BFI Champions

22^nd Feb: priority bookings open for BFI Members

Tours 24^th Feb: tickets on general sale

BFI Southbank

21Soho

21 Soho Square, W1.

LGBTQ+ History Month mixed comedy bill. Free on 4^th Feb. Hurry!