Queer Footprints at LSE: Book Launch and Icebreakers 50th Anniversary Event

Join The London School of Economics Library in the celebration of Dan Glass’s new book, Queer Footprints: A Guide to Uncovering London’s Fierce History, and the 50th Anniversary of Icebreakers with an evening of exploring The LSE’s Hall-Carpenter Archives, a book reading with Dan Glass, and a panel discussion with key groups featured in the book including lcebreakers, Gay Liberation Front (GLF), Switchboard, and more!

Icebreakers are a radical gay group who created a phone service for LGBTQIA+ people to 'support the breakdown of a rigid gender division in order to liberate gay men and women and establish a new society.'

LSE Library has been home to the Hall-Carpenter Archives since 1988. It’s an extensive collection of archives, ephemera and printed material documenting the development of gay activism in the UK since the 1950s.

• Opportunities to explore a curated selection of items from the LSE Library's Hall-Carpenter Archive
• Readings from Dan Glass, author of Queer Footprints
• Short panel discussion and Q&A with members of Icebreakers, GLF, LSE's Spectrum, and more!
• Film screening of Naoise Murphy’s film on the GLF and Icebreakers
• Sharings from Andrew Lumsden, GLF activist and original Gay News editor in tribute to Eric Thompson (1934-2022)
• Books for sale

• Michael Parkes, GLF - Qualified as a chartered surveyor (1969) and town planner (1972}. Joined Gay Liberation Front and became an Icebreaker (1971 - 1973) . Worked as a town planner in the UK , Africa , Middle East and Europe (1974 - 1985) . Self employed as a Community Planner / Volunteer / Trustee working with and for disadvantaged community groups facing major development threats and opportunities in inner and central London . (1986 - present) . Part time lecturer Bartlett - UCL (1990 - 2002).
• Nettie Pollard, GLF and Icebreakers - Active in the Gay Liberation Front from April 1971 and member of the Counter Psychiatry Group. Icebreakers sought to give revolutionary support to those who had problems or wanted to come out. On editorial collective of Red Rag (the theoretical journal of the women's move). Prisoners rights, 21st century: GLF, HOWL (History of Women's Liberation).

• Ludwig Campbell, LSE's LGBTQ+ staff network Ludwig Campbell is Chair of Spectrum, LSE’s LGBTQ+ staff network, and Institute Manager of the European Institute. They have been working in higher education for more than 20 years, first joining the LSE in 2008. They also spent two years at City Hall, managing the Mayor of London’s Public and Community Engagement Unit.

• Tash Walker, Switchboard - ‘The Log Books’ host and former co-chair of Switchboard. A founding director of Aunt Nell production company where she recently co-produced the critically acclaimed Black and Gay, Back in the Day. Tash has a special interest in using audio to bring to life many of the hidden and untold stories found in archives, and her poem ‘Dear Section 28’ was recently broadcast on Radio 4’s Short Cuts. She is also the Co-Founder and presenter of Get In Her Ears, a community organisation and monthly Soho Radio show that promotes women, non-binary and LGBTQ+ people in music.

To join in on the daytime walking tour, visit queerfootprintswalk.eventbrite.co.uk

Images from the Hall-Carpenter archive collection

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher LSE Library