Croydon Pride Presents: Tales of the Suburbs, an Evening With John Grindrod

Ever wondered what was really happening behind the twitching net curtains of suburban Croydon?

For Pride Month 2026, Croydon Pride is hosts an exclusive evening with acclaimed social historian John Grindrod. Join us at the historic Braithwaite Halls as we dive into his latest work, Tales of the Suburbs: LGBTQ+ Lives Behind Net Curtains.

Throughout history, suburbia has been framed as a place to escape from - a landscape of pebble-dashed semis where difference was hidden. But John Grindrod reveals a different story.

Anchored by archival newsletters from the Croydon Area Gay Society (1970s–90s) and fresh conversations with local residents today, this event uncovers a vibrant, messy, and extraordinary history of queer life right here in South London. From secretly gay school bullies and punks with makeup tips to heroic hairdressers and suburban pride marches, this is a celebration of the "chosen families" that bloomed against the odds.

• 18:30: Doors open and arrivals.
• 19:00: John Grindrod leads an intimate reading from Tales of the Suburbs, followed by a deep-dive Q&A session facilitated by Tom Ryalls.
• 20:00: Networking and community social.
• Book Signing: Our friends at Waterstones will be on-site with copies of the book available for purchase and signing.

• Venue: Braithwaite Halls, Croydon (Fully accessible).
• Capacity: Strictly limited to 150 people.
• Cost: Free. We are committed to keeping our history accessible, but registration is mandatory to secure your seat.

Reclaim our history. Discover our home. See you there.

With thanks to Croydon Council for supporting this event.

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Host or Publisher Croydon Pride