A Place to Be Ourselves: Queer Soho Past and Present
Schedule
Fri, 20 Feb, 2026 at 06:30 pm to Fri, 06 Mar, 2026 at 08:30 pm
UTC+00:00Location
Saint Giles Square | London, EN
About this Event
This guided walk explores Soho as one of London’s most enduring—and contested—queer spaces, tracing lives lived boldly across pleasure, art, danger, and resistance. Moving through streets shaped by centuries of nonconformity, the tour reveals how Soho became a magnet for those who challenged sexual, social, and cultural norms, and how queer communities repeatedly carved out spaces of belonging in the face of hostility.
Beginning in the eighteenth century, the walk also explores Soho’s role as a crucible of artistic and literary rebellion, including the presence of Paul Verlaine and Arthur Rimbaud, whose volatile relationship unfolded alongside the area’s bohemian underworld.
Twentieth-century Soho brings us to flamboyant and defiant characters such as Sebastian Horsley—self-styled dandy of the underworld—and legendary drag performer Ruby Venezuela, whose performances embodied glamour, provocation, and survival. The tour also highlights vital community spaces, including the Candy Bar on Carlisle Street, an iconic lesbian venue of the 1990s that offered visibility, safety, and joy at a time when such spaces were rare.
The walk does not shy away from violence and loss, reflecting on the 1999 bombing of the Admiral Duncan pub, while also foregrounding acts of queer resistance, remembrance, and resilience.
Taken together, the tour presents Soho as a place where queer lives were not only lived, but fiercely asserted.
Meet the Guides
Sacha is a freelance museum professional who has worked at local, national and international museums and galleries. He also cochairs the Queering Museums network and is a yearly Fun Palace builder, working with heritage sites to provide space and opportunities for communities every October. Sacha has written and presented many times on the subject of museums, diversity and activism.
Sacha's book, Queer As Folklore , is available in all good bookshops.
Sheldon is a public historian, author, media producer, heritage professional and tourist guide. His approach is to make history as accessible and as engaging as possible.
Sheldon has a decade's worth of experience in heritage and has worked with The BBC, The Royal Parks, The Grant, Ipswich and Brunel Museums in content creation and engagement, as well as developing inclusive LGBTQ+ programmes for Pride in London, Ironbridge Gorge Museum and The National Trust.
Sheldon's book, An Opinionated Guide to Historic London is also available in all good bookshops.
Where is it happening?
Saint Giles Square, Saint Giles Square, London, United KingdomEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 27.80
