On Saturday April 8th on Hampstead Heath, a coalition of London’s LGBTQI+ community are organising ‘George Michael Wants You’ a ‘free party to remember the Queer Icon’s, life, talent and courage in celebrating sexual freedom.
In the week that George Michael was finally laid to rest Camden LGBT Forum in partnership with Queer Tours of London announce they are working together to organise this event as part of a programme of activity that also marks the 50th anniversary of the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1967. While the passing of this law was a momentous moment in our history we know far too well that it wasn’t the end of the struggle.
This fact is highlighted very clearly by the fact that such a confident and successful individual as George Michael still found it impossible to be open about his sexuality in the late 1990’s. His sexuality was used to both criminalise and humiliate him; sadly despite his and many others who have bravely fought back this still goes on for so many of us. So we want to use this celebration of one of the LGBTQIA+ community’s finest to continue to challenge the barriers that still remain.
“George Michael was a Great British Gay Icon. Hugely talented and never afraid to knock out a tune, and much else too, in defiance of his and other people’s sexual freedom.” Alex Green, entertainer and director of campaign to save the Black Cap, Black Cap Campaign
“No longer with us but with presence stronger than ever, we gather at the world famous cruising area on Hampstead Heath, to ‘Go Outside’ in honour of George Michael. It will be a celebration of how he too back control after a very nasty public outing and turned it into a celebration of sexuality and sexual freedoms with the song Outside and his every statement and action following this episode said screw the judgement of others. We dance and sing and roll together and shout out, in the immortal words of George, “This Is My Culture!” Nell Andrew, organiser, Queer Tours of London – A Mince Through Time guide and cruising guru
“Done with the sofa? Done with the hall? Done with societally enforced standards of sexuality which don’t conform with your reality? On 8th April 1998 in a Miami public toilet, so was George Michael. So on this same day, bring your friends, learn the lyrics to ‘Outside’, wear whatever makes you feel fabulous and ‘Let’s Go Outside’. Rest In Power George Michael! See you in the bushes.” dan glass, Queer Tours of London – A Mince Through Time
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Meeting point for press and public – 1pm at Jack Straws Castle, Hampstead Heath.
Organisers –www.queertoursoflondon.com / www.camdenlgbtforum.org.uk
Poster designer – www.markglasgowdesign.com
Main contacts
Dan Glass – queertoursoflondon@gmail.com / 07717 811747
Alex Green – alex@socialpurposegroup.org / 07779 580393