Ever wanted to learn more about the queer history of Brixton? 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.
Throughout modern history, Brixton's queer community have built numerous cultural landmarks. The neighbourhood is shape-shifting and tells a story of unity, mischief, compassion, hope and solidarity. Join us and learn about the movements that built these stories, brick by brick.
We will be joined by Jonathan Blake - trained as Actor Rose Bruford 1967-1970 and worked as Actor 1970 -1981. Jonathan was diagnosed with HTLV3 (now HIV) in October 1982 at Middlesex Hospital. L1 was his hospital number and was the first diagnosis @ Middlesex Hospital. Jonathan attempted Suicide December 1982 but couldn’t go through with it. He decided to attempt to rejoin society despite feeling as a modern day leper with this killer virus coursing through my veins: Went to join “Gays for a Nuclear free Future” on their Stand together round Greenham Common, Aldermarston & Burghfield with coach leaving from ‘Gay the Word’ on Marchmont St All Fools Day 1st April 1983. Jonathan met his Future Partner that day Nigel Young and has been together now 35 years. With him he Joined Lesbians & Gaymen Support the Miners June 1984 where Jonathan Blake, Mike Jackson, Gethin Roberts and others documented in the film ‘Pride’ and will forever be LEGENDS.
Highlights - stops include the South London Gay Community Centre, Brixton Black Women’s Centre, The George pub, Pearls Shebeen, Squatters paradise at 121 Railton Road, Race Today and the Gay liberation Front (GLF) Icebreakers support line. Along the route, we will platform african queerness with Rotimi Fani-Kayode, Brixton Faeries Theatre Company and march under the ‘Brixton Gays Welcome Anti-Fascists’ banner to the legendary ‘Rock Against Racism’ festival in Broxkwell Park, concluding the tour at Brixton House.
For this tour, Dan Glass will be joined by Jonathan Blake. Blake was an active member of Lesbians & Gaymen Support the Miners during the AIDS crisis.His activism was immortalised by the fim Pride.
Meeting point - Brixton Station.
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).
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