A QUICK STOP IN BLOOMSBURY
First things first though, before you venture either south or east, make time to visit one of the most cherished LGBTQ landmarks in London. Located in the heart of the Bloomsbury area of central London, Gay is the Word is England’s only bookshop exclusively dedicated to queer literature. Established in 1979, at a time when the political climate was far from conducive for the community, the bookshop quickly became a hub for queer activists and intellectuals. Despite the changing times, the shop never lost its edge, and today it remains a vibrant cultural venue, hosting regular events and offering an outstanding range of books, from latest releases to rare gems and second hand treasures. The friendly and knowledgeable staff welcome all visitors with open arms, and you are likely to leave not only with a good book, but also with good memories.
Situated around the corner from Gay is the Word, the New Bloomsbury Set is a cocktail bar with a cosy, slightly highbrow atmosphere. Bloomsbury was once home to the transgressive, queer bohemians and artists, including the iconic writer Virginia Woolf, and while the area feels a lot more sedate nowadays, the vibe of the NBS is positively oldschool. The motto of the bar proudly states: ‘we welcome you as you are, for the ideas you bring and the value you add’. It does not get much more Bloomsbury than that. And while you’re sipping on one of their excellent cocktails, you might find yourself reflecting on the importance of Orlando or A Room of One’s Own. You are also sure to find a friend, more than happy to trade ideas. There is also a variety of queer-centric entertainment on offer, so you might consider staying for more than one drink.
Whitechapel Gallery “Queer Spaces London, 1980s – Today” (Soroya Marchelle at Royal Vauxhall Tavern 2018)
Photo: Léa L’attentive
HEADING EAST
While the entirety of London feels open and embracing of all sexual orientartions and gender identities, in East London diversity is the name of the game. It’s easy to see why the new alternative scene would establish itself here. While much of Hackney hasbecome gentrified and is uber-hip, there are still plenty of places within the borough where rents are affordable enough to welcome young artists and freelance professionals.
The gritty, post-industrial architecture lends itself perfectly to the overall vibe of artsy rebelliousness. In that sense, it would be easy to compare Hackney to East Berlin, or Brooklyn, and while there are obvious similarities to both, East London has its own, very particular brand of coolness.
Gay visitors will be spoiled for choice when it comes to queer-flavoured spots, although there is no single street or square which could be called ‘the gay area’. Instead, the joy comes from exploring and venturing down different side streets and finding unexpected slices of rainbow fabulousness. For those on a lookout for exciting art spaces, the first stop should be Whitechapel Gallery. This world-renowned exhibition space is one of London’s most open and forwardthinking art institutions, truly reflecting the spirit of its surroundings.
Performing Artist Mark T Cox at The Glory
Photo: (c) Luxxxer
Opened in 1901, the gallery was meant to bring art to the people of East London, but from the start it was to be a give-and-take relationship, inevitably influenced by the eclectic mix of people and cultures in the community. The credo of the Whitechapel is ‘the artists gallery for everyone’, and they certainly practice what they preach. Many now-legendary artists got their first UK exhibition here, with the likes of Picasso, Frida Kahlo, and Jackson Pollock all premiering their work here. The Whitechapel recently held an exhibition titled ‘Queer Spaces: London, 1980s-today’, which showcased rarely seen objects from University College London’s archives, focusing on LGBTQ venues and social networks across the capital, spanning the last four decades.
