Explore London’s LGBTQ+ history from repression to activism. Visit key locations linked to identity, community, nightlife, and protest, and discover the lives of those who shaped the struggle for equality. AM talk at Keeley Street followed by a PM walk.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
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This course offers a historically grounded exploration of London’s LGBTQ+ past through guided walking tours across areas of central London. We take a serious, evidence-based look at how LGBTQ+ individuals lived, loved, organised, resisted, and built community from the 18th Century to the present day.
Through key sites associated with trials, clandestine meeting places, nightlife venues, activism, and memorials, we trace the changing legal, social and cultural landscape that shaped queer experience. We examine landmark cases such as the Oscar Wilde trials, discuss hidden and coded lives in eras of criminalisation, and explore how London became a centre of LGBTQ+ liberation in the 20th and 21st Centuries.
The course focusses on social context and historical nuance, emphasising both struggle and resilience. It connects individual stories to wider societal themes including law, class, gender, protest and community formation.
What will we cover?
Laws governing sexuality and gender identity from the 18th Century to the modern day.
Oscar Wilde, the courts, and the culture of public scandal.
Coded meeting places, molly houses, and early urban queer communities.
The role of pubs, clubs and nightlife in queer identity.
Post-war policing, entrapment, and partial decriminalisation.
Activism: Gay Liberation Front, AIDS crisis activism, Pride and community organising.
Sites of remembrance and celebration.
The evolution of LGBTQ+ rights and cultural visibility.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Identify key London locations connected to queer history.
Describe how legal, social, and cultural contexts shaped LGBTQ+ lives over time.
Analyse the impact of policing, public attitudes, and the state on queer communities.
Understand the significance of activism and community organising in expanding rights.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is an introductory talk & short tour - all welcome. An interest in the topic and a willingness to follow health and safety instructions from the tutor when out and about in London are the only requirements.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Morning lecture followed by a guided tour. The tutor will provide suitable materials to support your learning.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No other costs. Please wear clothing/footwear appropriate to the season and to walking London's streets.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Please see the London History/London walks area of the City Lit website.
Dr Stephen Goss is a former lecturer in history at Queen’s University Belfast. A published academic, his area of focus is 19th and 20th Century British, Irish and European history, specialising in the Cold War. Previously a Life-long Learning Lecturer at Stranmillis University College, he is now an Expert Tour Guide at the Imperial War Museum and Churchill War Rooms, and has been a popular speaker in museums, historical societies, u3a, Probus, and the Women's Institute for over fifteen years. Stephen has also conducted policy and research for Campaign for Better Transport and writes regularly for a leading independent news and analysis site on Northern Irish current affairs.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/queer-london-lives-law-and-liberation3017029Queer London: Lives, Law, and Liberationhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/london-1945-1979-hlw251.jpg5959GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/London history & walks22851177117811841228511771178<p>Explore London’s LGBTQ+ history from repression to activism. Visit key locations linked to identity, community, nightlife, and protest, and discover the lives of those who shaped the struggle for equality. AM talk at Keeley Street followed by a PM walk. </p>003016999Queer London: Lives, Law, and Liberation5959https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/london-1945-1979-hlw251.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-06-06T00:00:00+00:00Jun 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHLW2995959Queer London: Lives, Law, and Liberation473859Stephen Gossqueer-london-lives-law-and-liberation/hlw299-2526<p>Explore London’s LGBTQ+ history from repression to activism. Visit key locations linked to identity, community, nightlife, and protest, and discover the lives of those who shaped the struggle for equality. AM talk at Keeley Street followed by a PM walk. </p>0000-Available|2026-06-06 00:00:00<p>This course offers a historically grounded exploration of London’s LGBTQ+ past through guided walking tours across areas of central London. We take a serious, evidence-based look at how LGBTQ+ individuals lived, loved, organised, resisted, and built community from the 18th Century to the present day.</p><p>Through key sites associated with trials, clandestine meeting places, nightlife venues, activism, and memorials, we trace the changing legal, social and cultural landscape that shaped queer experience. We examine landmark cases such as the Oscar Wilde trials, discuss hidden and coded lives in eras of criminalisation, and explore how London became a centre of LGBTQ+ liberation in the 20th and 21st Centuries.</p><p>The course focusses on social context and historical nuance, emphasising both struggle and resilience. It connects individual stories to wider societal themes including law, class, gender, protest and community formation.</p><p>Explore London’s LGBTQ+ history from repression to activism. Visit key locations linked to identity, community, nightlife, and protest, and discover the lives of those who shaped the struggle for equality. AM talk at Keeley Street followed by a PM walk. </p><ul><li>Laws governing sexuality and gender identity from the 18th Century to the modern day.</li><li>Oscar Wilde, the courts, and the culture of public scandal.</li><li>Coded meeting places, molly houses, and early urban queer communities.</li><li>The role of pubs, clubs and nightlife in queer identity.</li><li>Post-war policing, entrapment, and partial decriminalisation.</li><li>Activism: Gay Liberation Front, AIDS crisis activism, Pride and community organising.</li><li>Sites of remembrance and celebration.</li><li>The evolution of LGBTQ+ rights and cultural visibility.</li></ul><ul><li>Identify key London locations connected to queer history.</li><li>Describe how legal, social, and cultural contexts shaped LGBTQ+ lives over time.</li><li>Analyse the impact of policing, public attitudes, and the state on queer communities.</li><li>Understand the significance of activism and community organising in expanding rights.</li></ul><p>This is an introductory talk & short tour - all welcome. An interest in the topic and a willingness to follow health and safety instructions from the tutor when out and about in London are the only requirements.</p><p>Morning lecture followed by a guided tour. The tutor will provide suitable materials to support your learning. </p><p>No other costs. Please wear clothing/footwear appropriate to the season and to walking London's streets. </p><p>Please see the London History/London walks area of the City Lit website.</p>HistoryLondon history & walksvirtual475938HLW299NONESat06/06/2611:00 - 16:0011:0016:001 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekendKSKeeley StreetStephen GossAvailable courses2026-06-06T00:00:00+00:00Jun 2026Culture, history & humanities5959Queer London: Lives, Law, and Liberationqueer-london-lives-law-and-liberation/hlw299-2526<p>Explore London’s LGBTQ+ history from repression to activism. Visit key locations linked to identity, community, nightlife, and protest, and discover the lives of those who shaped the struggle for equality. AM talk at Keeley Street followed by a PM walk. </p>0000-Available|2026-06-06 00:00:00<p>This course offers a historically grounded exploration of London’s LGBTQ+ past through guided walking tours across areas of central London. We take a serious, evidence-based look at how LGBTQ+ individuals lived, loved, organised, resisted, and built community from the 18th Century to the present day.</p><p>Through key sites associated with trials, clandestine meeting places, nightlife venues, activism, and memorials, we trace the changing legal, social and cultural landscape that shaped queer experience. We examine landmark cases such as the Oscar Wilde trials, discuss hidden and coded lives in eras of criminalisation, and explore how London became a centre of LGBTQ+ liberation in the 20th and 21st Centuries.</p><p>The course focusses on social context and historical nuance, emphasising both struggle and resilience. It connects individual stories to wider societal themes including law, class, gender, protest and community formation.</p><p>Explore London’s LGBTQ+ history from repression to activism. Visit key locations linked to identity, community, nightlife, and protest, and discover the lives of those who shaped the struggle for equality. AM talk at Keeley Street followed by a PM walk. </p><ul><li>Laws governing sexuality and gender identity from the 18th Century to the modern day.</li><li>Oscar Wilde, the courts, and the culture of public scandal.</li><li>Coded meeting places, molly houses, and early urban queer communities.</li><li>The role of pubs, clubs and nightlife in queer identity.</li><li>Post-war policing, entrapment, and partial decriminalisation.</li><li>Activism: Gay Liberation Front, AIDS crisis activism, Pride and community organising.</li><li>Sites of remembrance and celebration.</li><li>The evolution of LGBTQ+ rights and cultural visibility.</li></ul><ul><li>Identify key London locations connected to queer history.</li><li>Describe how legal, social, and cultural contexts shaped LGBTQ+ lives over time.</li><li>Analyse the impact of policing, public attitudes, and the state on queer communities.</li><li>Understand the significance of activism and community organising in expanding rights.</li></ul><p>This is an introductory talk &amp; short tour - all welcome. An interest in the topic and a willingness to follow health and safety instructions from the tutor when out and about in London are the only requirements.</p><p>Morning lecture followed by a guided tour. The tutor will provide suitable materials to support your learning. </p><p>No other costs. Please wear clothing/footwear appropriate to the season and to walking London's streets. </p><p>Please see the London History/London walks area of the City Lit website.</p>HistoryLondon history & walksconfigurable
11841178London history & walkshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/london-history-and-walks1/2/285/1177/1178/11841/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/London history & walks
