Earlier this year, Appetite and a group of participants travelled to London on an exciting Take Away, delving into the vibrant history of queerness in the capital city. Organised after consultation with local community groups such as Older LGBT, Staffordshire Sexual Health Charity (SSHC), Phoenix Support Hub and Keele University Student Societies, our journey aimed to encourage learning and sharing of knowledge about queer history and culture.
Wondering what an Appetite Take Away is? It’s a curated group trip to experience arts and culture, designed to inspire participants and give local people the opportunity to explore new places they may have never visited before. The aim is for attendees to bring this fresh inspiration back to Stoke-on-Trent and the Newcastle Borough, using it to contribute to decision-making processes that will shape what Appetite do in the future.
Let’s begin the journey! On the coach, our spirits were immediately lifted by the enthusiasm of our participants, some of whom had kindly created an LGBTQ+ themed quiz for us on the coach. From historical insights to modern-day reflections, the quiz set us up for an engaging day of queer celebration.
Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed into Queer Britain, where we were provided with invaluable insights into the museum and the LGBTQ+ history of the King’s Cross area. Inside the museum, we saw powerful photographs immortalising key moments in queer history, along with iconic artefacts like Olly Alexander’s Glastonbury Cape and a letter from Elton John to his younger self.
After lunch we met our Drag Queen guide, Maneeta, who greeted us for a tour of the vibrant King’s Cross area. With a mantra of “fun, fruity, and fabulous,” Maneeta led us through important landmarks of queer history, bringing us all together through laughter, learning, and storytelling.
Our last stop was to Gay’s the Word, London’s oldest LGBTQ+ bookstore. Stepping into the cosy space lined with shelves of queer literature, it was truly a place where LGBTQ+ voices have been celebrated and cherished for decades. As we browsed through the vast collection of books, ranging from classic literature to contemporary queer fiction, it was a poignant reminder of the power of representation and the importance of safe spaces within the community.
Reflecting on our experience, there was a collective feeling of gratitude for the opportunity to explore Queer Britain and the leaders who paved the way for LGBTQ+ rights and visibility. From the glittering lights of historic gay bars to the quiet sanctuary of Gay’s the Word, London’s queer landmarks serve as reminders of resilience, creativity and joy within the LGBTQ+ community.
As we waved goodbye to London, there was a real feeling that our trip was not only about sightseeing, but a celebration of identity, diversity and community.
Read some comments from our lovely participants as they reflected on their day in London:
“A great day meeting other members of the queer community in a positive environment.”
“This experience far exceeded my expectations. Learning more about Queer history has been a huge goal, and this trip has really helped shape that.”
“I was surprised by how well thought out & accessible the whole trip was, and how much LGBT history was on offer in London. I’ve had a fantastic time, spent time with loads of interesting and fabulous people and learned so much about my community and its history. Thanks so much Appetite.” – Lyle Carr, from the SSHC Support Group
“Incredibly rewarding, an amazing way to meet other people in the community.”
“I have thoroughly enjoyed engaging with LGBT people younger than myself – as well as with the Drag Queen and the duty manager at Queer Britain. It has also been a privilege to share a little of my own story as an older gay man living with HIV & Aids.”
Images by Andrew Billington
