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Home , Admiral Duncan (pub), Cock Tavern Theatre, Gay bar, Old Compton Street, Queer Youth Network, Scala (club)

A FRESHERS GUIDE TO

GAY OUT& ABOUT 4 “BE WHO YOU ARE , AND SAY WHAT YOU FEEL BECAUSE THOSE WHO MIND DON’T AND THOSE WHO MATTER DON’T MIND.”

Dr Seuss (American Writer and Cartoonist, 1904-1991)

The committee would like to make a special thanks to Alfredo Carpineti and Chris Kurzeja for their time and efforts in creating the professional design and thoughtful original content of Out & About. 3 CONTENTS

4 All About IQ

5 Help! (I Need Somebody) - Info & Advice

6 Help! (I Need Somebody) - Sexual Health

8 The Long Way Out

13 I Wanna Take You To A

16 Nightclubbing

18 Map

20 I Don’t Feel Like Dancing

23 Culture

24 A Little History

26 What’s On: Autumn 2009 4 ALL ABOUT IQ COMMITTEE ‘09/10

PRESIDENT TREASURER SECRETARY

CHRIS ROB MIKE

WEB/PUBLICITY EVENTS WOMENS OFFICER

MITCH FELIX IONA

Our website is www.imperalcollegeunion.org/iq

Our Facebook Page: search for “IQ (Imperial College LGBT)” in the Imperial College network

Q-Phone: 07963 005 676 55 WORDHELP! FROM (I NEED THE SOMEBODY) PRESIDENT

Sometimes you just have a burning question (or something else burn- ing) that you need help with. Sometimes friends are helpful, but most of the time you just want to find out anonymously. This section lists places and people that are there to help you out. INFO AND ADVICE

The LLGS provides an information, support and referral service for , , bisexual people and anyone who needs to consider issues around their sexuality.

The volunteers that work for the line will not judge you or tell you what to do; they provide suitable support, information and discuss any relevant options with regards to your problems. 10am to 11pm, 365 days a year. Website: www.llgs.org.uk Phone Number: 020 738 77324. Text Number: 020 768 98501

QUEER NETWORK A National LGBT Youth Organisation in the UK. Run by and for Lesbi- an, Gay, Bisexual and Trans YouthCHRIS and Teens. Website: www.queeryouth.org.uk

THE GAY YOUTH CORNER An international gay youth website based in the UK providing ‘interesting and useful content’ with a growing community of members making up a support network. Website: www.thegyc.com GINGERBEER A guide to London. Check it out girls. Website: www.gingerbeer.co.uk 6 HELP! (I NEED SOMEBODY)

The THT is the largest HIV and sexual health charity in the UK. Don’t ignore them just because you think HIV has nothing to do with you - their website has some great info on sexual health. Website: www.tht.org.uk

IMPERIAL COLLEGE COUNSELLING SERVICE The Student Counselling Service offers short-term counselling to registered students of Imperial College London. It is free and con- fidential. Counsellors are available at the South Kensington, Ham- mersmith and Silwood Park Campuses. Website: www.imperial.ac.uk/counselling SEXUAL HEALTH Sex. Sex, sex, sex, sex; you’re not going to be able to avoid it. In fact you’ll probably have some, and enjoy it too. The important thing to remember is that you have got to look after yourself, have safe sex and get yourself checked.

For more information about all things sexual, there is a guide from the London LGBT Student Network. For places to get yourself tested in Central London contact the following clinics. Remember, if you’re worried about something, it’s better to sort it sooner rather than later.

BART’S SEXUAL HEALTH CLINIC St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, Kenton and Lucas Wing, West Smithfield, London, EC1A 7BE. Website: http://www.bartsandthelondon.org.uk/sexualhealth Phone number: 020 760 18090 7

JOHN HUNTER CLINIC Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, 369 Fulham Road, London, SW10 9NH. Website: http://www.chelwest.nhs.uk/hiv-sexual-health Phone number: 020 884 66699

CLASH 11 Warwick Street, London W1B 5NA. Phone number: 020 773 41794

SOHO CENTRE FOR HEALTH & CARE 20-30 (entrance on ), London, W1. Phone number: 020 753 46500

VICTORIA CLINIC South Westminster Centre for Sexual Health, 82 Vincent Square, London, SW1P 2PF. Website: http://www.chelwest.nhs.uk Phone number: 0845 811 6699

WEST LONDON CENTRE FOR SEXUAL HEALTH Ground Floor, South Wing of Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Road, London , W6 8EP. Website: http://www.chelwest.nhs.uk Phone number: 020 884 66699

These are just some of the many clinics available across London and facili- ties such as PEP are available at some A&E Departments. Gay/bi men should also get vaccinated against hepatitis B, which is free from these clinics. 8 THE LONG WAY OUT When we started writing this guide, we knew straight away we didn’t want a normal advice section; we don’t have all the an- swers and information to do that! So we decided to put together a collection of stories about and the things that people don’t necessarily talk about freely. It’s not always happy but we always get through and things work out in ...

berty hit me like a punch to the A LONG NIGHT... groin. I couldn’t imagine a worse “I’m gay”; not the time to become a worse time to easiest words one ever become a moody little brooder. has to say. For some people coming out is as natural as a sunrise and to everyone around them the fact that they’re gay is just as obvious as one. The rest of us are left with the long night be- forehand.

Being thirteen is never easy but it was a particularly tumultuous year for me. In of a year my At first, though, things were parents were divorced and I was pretty normal for a boy of my age, living on the other side of the you know...ummm...’exploring’, world to pretty much everything I ‘discovering’ and other such had ever loved. And there I was, euphemisms. But then a lonely, in a dank and grey Mid- disconcerting thing happened. It lands city; wondering how my lot dawned on me, rather suddenly, could get much worse. Then pu- that I was much more attracted 9

to men than women. The differ- To throw off those years of con- ence in attraction was akin to that fusion, anxiety, anger and sad- between a dingy and an air- ness and be who I really was. craft carrier. An aircraft car- rier full of sailors, but I digress...

Scared by this sudden realisa- tion, I decided to hide my dis- FIRST NIGHT NERVES covery away. I couldn’t deal with I’m standing on the staircase it myself; how was anybody else of the Coronet Theatre, El- supposed to? Even thinking ephant & Castle. Yet another the word ‘gay’ was difficult. coffin is carried up the stairs by Something vital to my be- 4 pallbearers. No, I’m not at ing was locked away in a dark a funeral; I’m at Duckie’s Gay and secret place, left to slow- Shame – the “Annual Festival of ly stew. Years passed, where Homosexual Misery”, a tongue- I tormented myself with my firmly-in-cheek anti-Pride secret. It gnawed away at me celebration. I’m scared shitless. from the inside. Lies were woven Not only because every hour but eyes seemed ever watch- another coffin is brought up of ful. I had to keep my tongue someone who’d just faked their in check and not get caught. own death on stage, but because this is my first proper experi- And so it was for five years. What ence of the London “gay scene”. was left to stew came steadily to a boil. Depressed and angry I knew I had to set my secret free on the world, though still I hadn’t the courage to do it. Then I left home and arrived at university, scared, lonely and depressed, I saw a chance to change it all.

10

intimidated and uninterested by the OTT display of , Now this may not seem the I avoided it at all costs. While I most traditional of first scene was comfortable, I didn’t yet feel experiences, but in retrospect I confident enough to be wouldn’t have had it any other “proud” of whom I was. way. Having grown up as a con- fidence lacking country boy from It just so happened a tiny village in the North West, I that after Justin’s show was completely fed up of the ste- he was performing his reotype presented on TV and knew drag cabaret act, Kiki there must be more to homosexual & Herb at , culture than one big pink sea. Not the antipride – aimed that I was particularly tempted to at “Sad Old Queens, explore it. While all my friends Lonely Lesbians, Closet started progressing from drinking Cases, Bitter Bull Dykes, cider in the local park on the Fri- Men who have sex with day night to exploring ’s Men, and their Friends nightlife, I shied away, keeping and their Fans” – to my studies. I was *that* cool. perfect! Intrigued and terrified, my friend It’s 2nd July 2005 and I’m in Lon- persuaded me to go don with a friend to see New York along. After adding singer Justin Bond at the Soho a few years to my age Theatre. Going down to London with some Black Kohl as often as I could was more my eyeliner, I tried to stop way of having fun, rather than my nervous shakes as I drinking myself into a stupor (how walked past the bounc- things change). We thought we’d ers standing between make a weekend of it to celebrate my first scene experi- finishing our GCSEs. It hap- ence and me. As they pened, by coincidence to be the looked up and down me weekend of London Pride. Equally 11

I was convinced they’d ID me. of sailors and freaks came on By some miracle they didn’t! stage, dancing as the body was placed in a coffin and then car- Fresh from our under-aged suc- ried through the audience. I’d cess, we headed straight to the never felt so laid back about my bar and with some much need- ed Dutch courage, we sexuality. To see so many people hit the dance floor. Ex- being comfortable and proud pecting to be of whom they were, yet able to filled with attitude, it was poke fun at themselves was a refreshingly attitude free. revelation. As the night drew to Everyone was having an a close, we stumbled out of the amazing time, with awe- Coronet and caught the night some music – Primal bus home, on a high all the way. Scream to Girls Aloud. It felt liberating to be at a place Since then, I’ve not looked back. where you could actually be whoever you wanted to FRIENDS be and not be judged in the slightest (You may want Telling my friends and flat mates to pick up a sick bucket was the first big step I made in for the next sentence...). I coming out. I was scared that felt freed from the shack- they wouldn’t want to live with les of conformity! As we me, and that I was going to worked away towards the loose all my friends and be iso- stage, the performances lated. But I felt that I had to do began. Every hour, a dif- it eventually, because sneak- ferent homosexual would ing guys out of the house before “commit suicide” on stage anyone woke up wasn’t the best in a variety of ways. With environment to start a relation- fake blood splattered ship in, and I was sure that my flat everywhere, a mixture mates were getting suspicious at the amount of time I was spend- 12

ing with my ‘drama’ friends.

It was a hard first step to take, but one that in the end brought After my flat mates, it became us closer together. I suggested we easier and easier to tell my close go to a one evening, and I friends, of course there was no gave myself a bit of Dutch cour- need to tell everyone, or rub it in age, two pints in, and I sudden- peoples noses, but it did mean ly said, ‘I need to tell you guys that I could integrate both parts something.’ They both stopped of my life. For me it was one of chatting and put their drinks down the best things I have ever done. and stared at me, I felt as if they were already waiting for such an announcement, and then I said it out loud for the first time, ‘I am gay’, and then just in case, add- ed, ‘but I am still the same me’. There were a few seconds of si- lence, followed by, ‘oh, right’, then they started asking some questions, which was welcome, because it prevented an awk- ward silence. I proceeded to tell them how I had been lying about where I had been disappearing to on weekends, and to tell them about my boyfriend. They laughed about it, and told me it was no big deal, and that they would love to meet my boyfriend, that it made sense now, because they were kind of worried about me, and all the late nights I was having. 13 TAKE YOU TO A GAY I BARWANNA

Gay bars. If you want to head out for an evening of chilling out with your mates we’ve put together this list of bars to go to.

and lots of Barbie dolls and trolls SOHO stuck to the ceiling. Check it out.

THE EDGE Basement, 79 Wardour St W1. Three bars spread across three 12pm to 1am (Monday to Saturday) levels with a different vibe in 2pm to 11.30pm (Sunday) each. Good selection of drinks, CANDY BAR reasonable food, friendly staff The lesbian venue of Central and located on Soho Square London, Candy Bar spans 3 so perfect for drinks on a sunny floors of pink femininity. Love it, afternoon. hate it, it's all we've got! Drinks can be pricey but it's still friendly. 11 Soho Square, W1. 12pm to 1am (Monday to Saturday) 2pm to 11.30pm (Sunday) 4 Carlisle St W1. 5pm to 11.30pm (Monday to Thursday) 5pm to 2am (Friday & Saturday) G-A-Y BAR 5pm to 11pm (Sunday) Camp pop classics, cheap cock- tail pitchers, always busy with a good crowd for those random RUPERT STREET fun evenings with friends. A large bar with a slightly older crowd and average prices. Often 30 , W1D. busy in the evenings and with a 12pm to 12am (Monday to Sunday) good range of cocktails. Limited seating but lots of standing space FRIENDLY SOCIETY indoors and outside. A tiny little venue, very cosy and 50 Rupert St W1. hidden away. Typical 12pm to 11pm (Monday to Friday) London prices for drinks (which 11am to 12am (Saturday) are only doubles), good music 11am to 10.30pm (Sunday) 14

GREEN CARNATION KU BAR A unique venue inspired by Os- The original Ku Bar on Lisle St car Wilde. Three floors with good has two bars across two levels, facilities. A nice with decent drinks and friendly alternative venue for an staff. Girls will enjoy Ruby Tues- evening. days! The new Ku Bar on Frith St 5 , W1D. has a fairly large lounge bar in 4pm to 2.30am (Monday to Saturday) the basement. Both are usually 3pm to 12.30am (Sunday) busy with a good atmosphere.

30 Lisle St, W1. YARD BAR & THE LOFT 25 Frith St, W1. A courtyard bar and lounge area 12pm to 12am (Monday to Saturday) with a wide range of cocktails. 12pm to 10.30pm (Sunday) Slightly more professional crowd and happy hours 6pm till 8pm RETRO BAR Monday to Thursday. Two floors with a lounge area, 57 Rupert St, W1. friendly staff and a different 2pm to 11.30pm (Monday to Thursday) crowd to other bars. Standard 2pm to 12am (Friday and Saturday) drinks prices. 2pm to 10.30pm (Sunday) GLASS BAR 2 George Court, WC2N. 5pm to 11pm (Everyday) This women’s bar has recently closed but will be relocating to a BOX BAR venue in soon, Reasonably priced drinks, lots of and is worth keeping your eyes seating and a quick walk from peeled for. the heart of Soho. Open as a café in the day. DUKE OF WELLINGTON 32-34 Monmouth Street, WC2H. A traditional pub with a gay twist 11am to 11pm (Monday to Saturday) in a very central Soho location. 12pm to 10.30pm (Sunday) Standard prices and friendly staff. 15

77 Wardour St, W1. THE GREEN 12pm-11pm (Monday to Wednesday) 12pm to 12am (Thursday to Saturday) A modern bar with friendly staff, 12pm to 10.30pm (Sunday) well-placed next to Islington Green for post-picnic drinks and a 5 minute walk north from An- GENERAL gel tube station.

THE BLACK CAP 74 Upper Street, N1. Small venue on Camden High 4pm to 12am (Monday to Wednesday) Street, cheap drinks and a nice 4pm to 1am (Thursday) pub atmosphere. 12pm to 2am (Friday) 11am to 2am (Saturday) 11am to 12am (Sunday) 171 Camden High Street, NW1. 12pm to 2am (Monday to Thursday) 12pm to 3am (Friday to Saturday) TRASH PALACE 12pm to 1am (Sunday) Trash Palace has moved to East London, and is a quirky bar THE 2 BREWERS sitting above its sister club/bar Cool bar and cabaret venue on . Clapham High Street. 58 Old Street, EC1. 114 Clapham High Street, SW4. 5.30pm to 11pm (Everyday) 5pm to 2am (Monday to Thursday, Sunday) 5pm to 4am (Friday & Saturday) THE OAK BAR A casual, friendly and well-priced G-SPOT @ KUDOS . The Oak Bar is a This is a bar night for lesbians, bi little way out in Islington, but girls and their male guests run on served by the no.73 bus from Friday nights at Kudos. Central London.

10 Adelaide St, WC2. 79 Green Lanes, N16. 6pm to 12am (Fridays) 12pm to 12am (Monday to Thursday, Sunday) 16 NIGHTCLUBBING

Sometimes it’s time to spend the night dancing away. Here are our suggestions on where to go.

and a reasonable crowd. Staff SOHO are always friendly.

POPSTARZ 30 Lisle Street, WC2H. Indie club night now located at 10.30pm to 3am (Monday to Saturday) The Den. Good crowd, okay drinks, three music rooms and a good night out. Best to get there SOHO REVUE BAR early though, and download the Theatre style venue with webflyer to get free entry! different nights. Slightly pricey, and gets very busy. Try it out. 18 West Central St, W1 (Off New Oxford St) 10pm to 4am (Every Friday) 11 Walkers Court, W1F. 11pm to 3am (Everyday)

G-A-Y LATE Camp pop classics, cheap GHETTO cocktail pitchers; essentially Smaller venue providing seven G-A-Y Bar continuing into the nights of music. Reasonable drink night. prices, cheap entry (free from Trash Palace) and a fun night all 5 Goslett Yard round. Recently moved to the 11pm to 3am (Every night, Sunday is members only) East End.

58 Old Street, EC1. 10:30pm to 1am (Monday) KU KLUB @ KU BAR 10:30pm to 3am (Wednesday to Thursday) Small club, reasonably priced 10:30pm to 5am (Friday & Saturday) 10.30pm to 2am (Sunday) drinks, different music every night 17

GENERAL

ROYAL TAVERN Easy going but slightly older crowd, good music, variety acts some nights and a nice break from Soho. Comedy acts and even bingo make for refreshing nights when you don’t feel like partying. Check their website for details.

372 Kennington Lane, SE11. 5pm to 2am (Monday to Thursday, Sunday) 5pm to 4am (Friday & Saturday)

HEAVEN Several different rooms with music to suit your mood, slightly expensive drinks but a popular venue. New home of G-A-Y, and occasional women’s nights some Thursdays.

Under the Arches, Villiers Street WC2. 10.30pm to 3am (Monday, Wednesday) 10.30pm to 5am (Friday, Saturday) 18 SOHO MAP

13 14

1 20

4 15 10 21 9

2 18

19 7 16 3 12 11 5 22 6

8

17 19

BARS 1 - THE EDGE 2 - G-A-Y BAR 3 - FRIENDLY SOCIETY 4 - CANDY BAR 5 - RUPERT STREET BAR 6 - KU BAR (LISLE ST) 7 - KU BAR (FRITH ST) 8 - RETRO BAR 9 - BOX BAR 10 - GREEN CARNATION 11 - YARD BAR & THE LOFT 12 - DUKE OF WELLINGTON 13 - THE BLUE POSTS CLUBS 14 - POPSTARZ 15 - G-A-Y LATE 6 - KU KLUB 16 - SOHO REVUE BAR 17 - OTHER 18 - BALANS CAFÉ 19 - BALANS BAR & RESTAURANT 20 - FIRST OUT CAFÉ-BAR 21 - FOYLES BOOKSHOP 22 - COMEDY CAMP @ BARCODE 20 I DON’T FEEL LIKE DANCING

It’s not all about the bars and clubs; there are always those times when you want to do something different.

LONDON GAY SYMPHONY COFFEE, CAKE & KINK ORCHESTRA Currently in the process of relo- Run by members for members. A cating, Coffee, Cake & Kink will repertoire committeee be somewhere you can get your chooses the music played. Con- caffeine hit whilst browsing kink certo auditions and composer from art and books to homeware auditions are held every year for and stationary. Watch this space. members and non members. coffeecakeandkink.com lgso.org.uk

BALANS OUT FOR SPORT At no. 34 Old Compton Street, A website that provides informa- Balans is an established café tion about gay sports clubs in right in the heart of Soho. Apart London including 'Out To Swim' from a delicious range of food LGBT swimming/water polo and and drinks, Balans offers WiFi 'London Titans' football club. and is open all hours of the day and night. For their combined www.outforsport.org bar/restaurant, just wander down to no. 60.

PROWLER www.balans.co.uk A chain of gay stores that sell gifts as well as essential supplies (i.e. condoms, lube). FIRST OUT CAFÉ BAR The First Out Bar is definitely www.prowlerdirect.co.uk worth a mention (especially with their Girl Fridays) but First Out 21

has more to offer than space to drink and socialise, with regular LGBT art and photography exhi- bitions and one-off events adver- tised on their website.

www.firstoutcafebar.com 52 St Giles High St, WC2.

FOYLES The Foyles Bookshop on Char- ing Cross Road has an extensive gay section with everything from fiction, classics and biographies to books on art and sex. Students BISEXUAL UNDERGROUND get 10% off everything. Every second Tuesday of the month, 30+ bisexual men and www.foyles.co.uk 113-119 , WC2. women meet in the upstairs bar of The Blue Posts. Go along for friendly faces and a pint from LESBIAN DISCUSSION GROUP @ 6pm. GAY’S THE WORD BOOKSHOP www.bisexualunderground.org The Blue Posts, 81 Newman St, WC1. Every Wednesday (weekly) 8-9pm, this discussion group for lesbians covers a range of THE WOMEN’S LIBRARY subjects as advertised on their Check out London Met. Uni’s li- website. The bookshop itself is brary with resources on women’s also a must-visit for the largest history and an exhibition space. range of gay and lesbian books in London. www.londonmet.ac.uk/thewomenslibrary 25 Old Castle St, E1. freespace.virgin.net/gays.theword 66 Marchmont St, WC1. 22

COMEDY CAMP @ BARCODE FREEDOM CARS Downstairs at Barcode in Soho Don’t even think about using the every Tuesday, Comedy Camp dodgy minicabs driving round is a straight-friendly night that’s Soho late at night. Freedom Cars usually a good laugh. See the is a gay/lesbian-friendly minicab line up and buy advanced tick- company licensed by Transport ets online, or queue for limited for London. Black cabs are an- tickets at the door. Shows usually other safe bet. start at 8.30pm and finish before 11pm. www.freedomcars.co.uk Book online or by phone: www.comedycamp.co.uk 0800 600 006 (free number) Barcode, 3-4 Archer St, W1.

ATTITUDE MAGAZINE DIVA MAGAZINE A slightly more intelligent gay ’s largest-selling magazine lifestyle magazine than its com- for lesbians and bisexual women, petitors, published monthly and published every month with news, available from most magazine entertainment, travel, features, retailers. music, scene and listings.

www.attitude.co.uk www.divamag.co.uk 23 CULTURE CLUB

Zone, Youth Project for gay and bisexual young men, Mosaic LGBT Youth, PRIDE Youth, Out On Thursday, Metro Centre, London Pride has been run by several organ- Youth@Pride, The Pink Paper, Transport for isations since the first UK Rally, London, Police, London LGBT on the 1st July 1972; 2000 people came. Student Network and many others. Since That number has been growing steadily as 2004 the Mayor of London has the event goes from strength to strength. A participated by walking part of the route with political rally has been held since 2004, and the . more and more events are organised to help celebrate the diversity and culture of the gay community. FILM FESTIVAL In 1992 London was selected to hold the first Europride, with attendance estimated at 100,000. London again held Europride in The London Lesbian and Gay Film 2006 with an estimated 600,000 partici- Festival (LLGFF) takes place every spring. It pants. began as a season of gay and lesbian films at the National Film Theatre in 1986 and 1987 under the title “Gay’s Own Pictures”, THE PARADE curated by Peter Packer of the Tyneside Cin- Large numbers of LGBT-friendly people from ema, and was renamed the London Lesbian all walks of life take part in the parade; a and Gay Film Festival in 1988. The 22nd celebration of diversity and a key event for LLGFF took place from Thursday 27 March the community. to Thursday 10 April 2008 and featured over 200 films. Since 1991, the Friends of Dorothy Society of Change Ringers have rung the Organised and run by the British Film bells of the church of St Martin in the Fields Institute, most LLGFF screenings take place in Trafalgar Square during the morning of in the BFI Southbank. Open and closing Pride, and as the parade passes. gala screenings take place at the Odeon in Leicester Square. Every summer, a selection For many the most iconic image is of a long of feature films and short films shown at the rainbow flag carried along with the parade. Festival goes on tour around the UK.

Since 2006 Regent Street and have been closed off to allow the parade to pass through. Many in the LGBT commu- nity, see this as a sign of wider acceptance, although the parade once marched down Oxford Street illegally in protest in the 80s. Groups who participate include The Out- 24 A LITTLE HISTORY opened in the Adelphi Arches.

London is totally gay! It’s a place where 1981 many a gay man and woman have found Ken Livingstone, the new leader of the refuge and an ability to be themselves Greater London Council (GLC), promised without inhibition. As the political, cultural support to gays and gave the first ‘gay grant’ and financial hub of Britain it has also been to the London Gay Switchboard. at the forefront of much change. Here we take a glance at how London has changed gay life in Britain, starting after the law which 1984 Chris Smith, MP for Islington South, first MP partially de-criminalised homosexuality in to come out while in office. 1967. Gay Times began first publication in May.

1970 The London Front (GLF) 1985 With a grant from the GLC the London founded at a meeting in the London School Lesbian and Gay Centre opened in of Economics on the 13th October. Farringdon. First gay demonstration in the UK took place

in Highbury Fields, Islington. 1988 1971 , preventing the ‘promotion’ of homosexuality by local authorities, came The first gay march through London, protest- into force. Ten thousand protested in Lon- ing against the unequal for don. gay men (21) and ending with a rally in

Trafalgar Square, took place in August. 1989 1972 The Group set up in response to Section 28. The first UK Pride carnival and march

through London to Hyde Park held on the 1st July. 1990 The direct action group Outrage! formed in 1974 May. First action takes place at Hyde Park Public Toilets to protest Metropolitan Police London Gay (later Lesbian and Gay) Switch- entrapment of gay men cruising. board launched in a bookshop on Caledo-

nian Road. With a year it was running 24 hours a day. 1991 The South London Gay Community Centre Outrage! held a kiss in at Piccadilly Circus. opened in a squat. 1992 1979 London hosted the first Europride Heaven, London’s first mainstream gay club, 25

1994 The House of Commons voted to reduce the gay male age of consent to eighteen. The crowds outside were bitterly TRIVIA disappointed that it had not been reduced to sixteen and a riot ensued in the precincts The Scala , until just recently home of parliament for the time for 150 years. to the alternative gay night Popstarz, used Crowds rampaged to the G-A-Y and to be a cinema which showed gay erotica in owner Jeremy Joseph gave them free entry. the 70’s.

1998 The ‘grassy knoll’ next to the Royal The House of Commons overwhelming Vauxhall Tavern, south London’s oldest voted for equal age of consent. It was de- surviving gay pub, is all that survives of the feated in the House of Lords. Vauxhall Gardens, which was closed in 1859 because it was used by 1999 gentleman to pick up working lads. A lone Neo-Nazi extremist nail bombed the pub in Old Compton The Royal Vauxhall Tavern, an early Street, killing 3 and injuring 70, in the third Victorian music-hall, was where Lily in a series of bombs targeted at Savage’s career started. various minorities in London. The Coleherne in Earls Court counted 2001 amongst its regulars such famous gays as Freddie Mercury, Kenny Everett, Rudolph The Great London Authority (GLA) was the Nureyev, Anthony Perkins and Armistead first local authority in the country to official Maupin back in the 80’s. These days it at- recognise same-sex partnerships, paving the tracts a less glamouress crowd. way for Civil Partnerships. Parliament finally equalised the age of consent.

2003 Section 28 Repealed

2004 Civil Partnership Act passed by Parliament.

2007 The Equality Act () Regulations became law. 26 WHAT’S ON...

So, what do we have lined up for your first term this year? Organise your diary with this double spread of all the events we have ahead. All the details will be confirmed in our weekly mailer - if you’re not on the mailing list, just drop us a note at [email protected].

IMPERIAL COLLEGE FRESHER’S FAIR Want to find out where the best Tuesday 6th October, from 10am. Soho bars are? This evening will Come and say hi! guide you around the places we think are great. PICNIC IN HYDE PARK Wednesday 7th October. IQ GOES TO POPSTARZ This (hopefully sunny!) afternoon Friday 16th October, from 9pm. is the perfect chance to get to Come to one of our favourite know everyone at IQ. Friday clubnights with us.

IQ GOES TO ASPIRE @ UCL IMPERIAL COLLEGE UNION QUIZ Friday 9th October, from 8pm. Tuesday 20th October, from 7.30pm. Mix with the UCL crowd (or just IQ has been historical cham- stick with us!) as we head to their pions of the quiz. Help us win barnight. again!

FILM NIGHT FILM NIGHT Tuesday 13th October. Tuesday 27th October, from 7pm. Join us for the first IQ film night Once again, we’ll be gathering of the year. This longstanding IQ for another film night. favourite is not to be missed. STONEWALL’S LGB RECRUITMENT SOHO PUB CRAWL GUIDE LAUNCH Thursday 15th October, from 7pm. Thursday 29th October, 6.30-8.30pm. Stonewall are launching their 27 ...AUTUMN TERM ‘09 annual LGB Recruitment Guide, Join us for our termly party, supported by Credit Suisse, at where we’ll be inviting the other Imperial College. Meet potential London . Lots of fun, bril- employers in a relaxed setting liant for meeting new faces and with free wine and a copy of absolutely unmissable! the guide. Spaces are limited so please RSVP by emailing recruit- FILM NIGHT [email protected] Tuesday 24th November. before 5pm October 16th. If you have a suggestion for film night, let us know. Mention it any IQ GOES TO POPSTARZ time or check out the Facebook Friday 30th October, from 10pm. Page. Finish off October with another night at Popstarz. IQ CHRISTMAS PARTY Details to be confirmed. IQ BOOKCLUB MEETING Every year our Christmas Party Tuesday 3rd November. is the perfect way to wind down Balance out your partying with the term and get into the fes- something intellectual and dis- tive spirit. Keep your eyes on the cover some fantastic books. mailer for more info later in the Details to be confirmed. term!

BONFIRE NIGHT WATCH THIS SPACE! Details to be confirmed. Do sign up to the mailer and Celebrate Guy Fawkes’ failed keep up to speed with our weekly plot by watching a fireworks dis- events. We’ll be sending round play with us. all the meeting details and ar- rangements for everything we ATOMIQ have planned, plus extra events Details to be confirmed. which are organised as the term IQ’s barnight AtomIQ is back! goes on.