Soho Queer History Walk
Join on the 22nd of February, as we explore the vast and complex history of gay and lesbian life in London from Roman Times to present day!
Discover how we have evolved into the dynamic and thriving LGBTQ+ community we enjoy in London today.
The tour is a fundraising event to raise money for LGBT HERO’s vital work for LGBTQ+ people, including mental health, wellbeing, sexual health and peer support.
The tour takes you through Central London from Charing Cross to Soho Square on an exciting journey through the ages, detailing a fascinating history of a sordid and secret existence for many. We’ll look at some of the iconic gay people of the time, discuss landmarks, venues, parks, characters and events that have all helped shape and shake the fabulous and resilient LGBTQ+ community we know today.
We’ll take a deeper dive into the historic suffering that living a gay life endured in the past. This includes the pioneering drag queens of the 1700s who paved the way for others, the birth of Gay Pride in the 1970s and the devastating impact AIDS had on our community in the 1980s.
Come on this Soho Queer History Walking Tour to understand it’s past and celebrate why London is one of the most exciting and openly free societies of the modern age, with the largest demographic of openly LGBTQIA 🏳️🌈 people in Europe!
Tour Highlights include:
- Heaven Nightclub
- Oscar Wilde
- The History of Gay Pride and the Gay Liberation Front
- Molly Houses
- Tea Rooms
- The Admiral Duncan
- The AIDS Epidemic
and much more, including personalised stories from your tour guide, Marcus James, who’s been a regular part of the evolving LGBTQ+ scene for 30+ years! Along with historical facts, expect some open, honest and hopefully entertaining anecdotes that Marcus will be happy to share!
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Marcus started working for the gay press in 2005. Since then he’s been an integral part of the teams at a variety of gay men’s lifestyle titles over the years, including Gay Times and Attitude magazines.
He now runs his own Queer London Tours & Concierge business and also works as a supporting artist on films and tv shows and such as Wicked, Napoleon, Mission Impossible, The Crown, Slow Horses, Queen Charlotte & Ted Lasso to name just a few!
- Date: 22/02/2025
- Time: 13:00-15:00
*Every penny raised from the Soho Queer History Walk will go towards the important work of LGBT HERO, which includes providing help, support and advice through mental health and wellbeing information, sexual health support, peer support groups and peer-to-peer support forums.
*LGBT HERO is the national health & wellbeing charity supporting 100,000+ LGBTQ+ people a month to create personal and social change. Equal Health. Equal rights.