Sadiq Khan made the announcement ahead of this weekend’s celebrations
BY KRYSTA MCKENZIE, IMAGE BY GREATER LONDON AUTHORITY
At the Mayor of London’s pride reception on 28 June, Sadiq Khan made the exciting announcement that there were going to be five more rainbow plaques installed around London. In the current political climate with anti-LGBTQIA narratives being promoted in the media, it is so important to visibly show support for the queer community. Each plaque will commemorate significant people, places, and events in LGBTQIA history.
The purpose of Khan’s initiative is to make it clear that queer identities cannot be erased, denied, or written out of history. We are an integral part of society, and we always have been.
Here are the details about the five plaques:
Jackie Forster, Westminster
Jackie was an incredible journalist and activist, and she helped to found the social group and queer publication Sappho.
London Lighthouse, Ladbroke Grove
This place was trailblazing in its service of offering a respite for individuals with HIV and AIDS. It was so important for the community to have this at a time when people were often abandoned following their diagnosis.
Beautiful Thing at the Greenwich Tavern
Beautiful Thing (1996) is a brilliant coming out and coming-of-age film set in Thamesmead and Greenwich. This plaque will be unveiled alongside a special screening of the film at Greenwich Picturehouse on 23 July.
Black Lesbian and Gay Centre, Peckham
This was the first centre in Europe that was established to provide advice and support specifically to the Black queer community.
Section 28, Haringey Civic Centre
The Haringey Civic Centre became a protest site after opening a Lesbian and Gay Unit to aid in the fight for LGBTQIA liberation.
We are looking forward to seeing these little pieces of queer history around london in the coming months!
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