Queer city - Rowena Hillel

For much of the twentieth century being openly gay would frequently lead to prosecution and imprisonment; this guidebook seeks to tell the important story of some of the clandestine LGBTQ+ spaces that were raided and closed by police in London during this time. Photographs, court reports, police papers and witness statements on five different clubs of the era were selected from The National Archives' extensive collection to tell the story of these places and the people that inhabited them. The documents reveal great detail and insights into club culture and the everyday prejudices facing the homosexual community at the time.This guidebook is part of the National Trust's and The National Archive's programmes to explore and celebrate themes of gender and sexuality in 2017 as part of the nation's commemoration to mark 50 years since the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality.