Book your tickets here for ‘Queer Between the Covers’ at Senate House – April 2018

Queer Between the Covers is a new exhibition and event season at Senate House Library, Senate House, part of the University of London, which explores over 250 years of Queer Literature. The exhibition in Convocation Hall, on the 4th floor of Senate House, displays 50 carefully selected works from the collection, showcasing works of satire, autographed manuscripts, illustrated novels and pulp fiction book designs, as well as rare editions of works by famous authors such as Oscar Wilde, WH Auden and Virginia Woolf. This is the season website 

Queer Bloomsbury Walking Tour – Queer Tours of London – Queer Bloomsbury – a walking tour with Queer Tours of London BOOK YOUR TICKET NOW

3rd April 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 pm – Meet at Ground Floor reception, Senate House

From Gay socialists breaking the ice and forming legendary community spaces, to mincing down the same streets as Bloomsbury group queers, author Virginia Woolf and economist John Maynard Keynes, Queer tours of London will be strutting through the streets of Bloomsbury, shining a light on the flung open closets of this notorious neighbourhood’s queer and theatrical history. Add a dash of Polari, a little Ivor Novello and lots of Lesbian and Gays supporting the Miners, we will be uncovering our queer past and examining what can be learnt for our queer cultural futures.

Nell James Grace is a Trade Union organiser, community campaigner and facilitator. Part-time performer, Director and Vintage Enthusiast, full-time Queer Poirot fanatic. When she’s not obsessing about Hercules, she’s the chair for OUT THERE Hackney LGBTQ+ network, disabled activist and GMB ability committee member and can be found campaigning about neurodiversity and divergence to anyone who will listen.

Dan Glass is an activist, performer and writer who was named as one of Attitude Magazine’s LGBTQI campaigning role models + a Guardian ‘UK youth climate leader’. His recent programmes involve MC’ing ‘Shafted?!’ a speakeasy by people with HIV and the ‘Never Again Ever! Beyond UKIP Cabaret in Nigel Farage‘s boozer.

5th April – 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Seng Tee Lee Seminar RoomQueer Creative Writing & Polari Workshop – BOOK YOUR TICKET NOW

‘Nish the chat and pin back your aunt nells’ – Queer Creative Writing and Polari workshop hosted by Queer Tours of London with special guests from the Gay Liberation Front

Polari, the gay slang which faded away with the decriminalisation of male homosexuality and the advent of gay liberation, is making a comeback. Polari flourished in the difficult years between the trial of Oscar Wilde and the 1967 Sexual Offences Act. Today as our community continues to evolve – in the cabaret bars, on stage, in bedrooms and in the streets Polari exists to protect ourselves against rising LGBT homophobia, as a vocabulary for talking about our sexuality, communicate on our own terms and as a way of asserting our identity.

Have you ever wanted to have the time to share your queer story, inspirations, desires, vulnerabilities, hopes and dreams? Have you been inspired by queer literary writers and maybe one day inspire others? Have you ever wanted to explore what it means to queer up culture, literature and storytelling? Do you want to create a queer community that can support you in your journey as a queer writer?

Well then – look no further. In this interactive workshop, we will explore the legacy of London’s queer writers, develop our own stories and share them amongst the group. This workshop is open to anyone who want to not only develop their craft but also learn how to perform in front of an audience.

 
30 years ago this year our Government introduced ‘Section 28’ which which banned the promotion of queer lifestyles in schools. In 2018 ‘Queer Tours of London’ and friends are reclaiming the teaching of queer culture and taking charge of how it should be taught because as queer people we refuse to ever be silenced. Today we are louder and prouder than ever before. Launched in 2017 for the 50th anniversary of partial decriminalisation of homosexuality ‘QUEER TOURS OF LONDON – A Mince Through Time’ exists to bring forth the visibility of our incredible community at large and the journey to how we became who we are today. Find out more at www.queertoursoflondon.com

“London’s LGBTQ+ heritage is rich, diverse and important: but is often hidden and in danger of being forgotten. Our collaborations with Queer Tours are energetic, hopeful and vital explorations of this history” Tom Furber and Jan Pimblett – London Metropolitan Archives

If you would like to find more about Queer Tours of London visit their Facebook page which is buzzing with activity.

You can also read a recent article in Vice ‘Meet the activists running London’s first Queer Tour’, or watch the recent ‘Where is our Queer Museum’ street-art action video of our Wapping ‘love, life and human rights’ Tour and House of Lords queer commemoration

This events are free, we just ask that you register your attendance with the booking button above.

March 2017 – Thomson Reuters – FEATURE-Meet the activists mapping London’s LGBT history

March 2017 – Brixton Dykes on the Rampage by WinkBall