Charities and Organisations
Islington has been and still is host to many LGBTQ+ charities and organisations that support a range of different people in the LGBTQ+ community.
1. London Friend is the UK’s oldest LGBT+ charity, located previously at 274 Upper Street and it is now located on Caledonian Road. In what year was it established?
1972
London Friend was first set up in 1972 as the counselling and support section of CHE, a gay rights organisation. In 1975 London Friend separated from CHE and moved into their own premises at 274 Upper Street.
1969
1975
2. P.A.C.E., set up in 1985, was an organisation that worked from the London Lesbian and Gay Centre, and then moved into its own premises in North Islington. What was the focus of the organisation?
Provide in-depth counselling for lesbians and gay men by lesbians and gay men
The Project for Advocacy, Counselling and Education, better known as PACE, was originally part of the London Lesbian and Gay Centre. Founded by volunteers the organisation promoted the mental health and emotional well-being of LGBTQ+ people. The organisation ceased to exist in 2016 due to lack of funding.
Provide mentoring for vulnerable and at risk lesbians and gay men by lesbians and gay men
Provide a safe space for lesbians and gay men to learn new skills from lesbians and gay men
3. SM Bisexuals was a social and support group for bisexuals into all aspects of BDSM, and their friends. What was their tagline?
Diverse, Perverse & Proud
SM Bisexuals was formed in 1993 and held their monthly London meetings at the Central Station pub.
Because Chains and Whips Excite Me
Equal Attraction and Sexual Pleasure
4. Say It Loud Club is a support group located in Islington, what part of the LGBTQ+ community do they specifically provide support for?
LGBTQ+ Asylum Seekers
The Say It Loud Club was founded in 2010 by Aloysius Ssali, one of the first refugees in the UK granted asylum due to his sexuality. The group provides support for the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers
Trans People
LGBTQ+ Youth
5. Islington Mind is an independent mental health organisation. What is the name of their LGBTQ+ service?
Outcome
Islington Mind Outcome aims to provide a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community. They meet every Tuesday at the Ashley Road Centre and offer a range of specialist services, activities and peer support groups.
Equality
Glitter
6. TV/TS was a social and support group for Trans people, active in Islington 1972 to 1988. What organisation originally organised the group before it became an independent charity?
London Friend
The group started out as a support group at 274 Upper Street and initially run by a committee. In 1978 management of the group was taken over by Yvonne Sinclair and it later became a registered charity. The group ceased to exist in 1992.
Stonewall UK
London Lesbian and Gay Centre
7. The London Lesbian and Gay Centre, opened in the 80s, was the first LGBT+ centre in London. Where in Islington was the centre located?
Cowcross Street, Smithfield
The building was an old meat warehouse which was bought and converted by the Greater London Council (GLC). The Centre provided a variety of facilities and space for groups to meet. The Centre closed in 1992.
Pentonville Road, Kings Cross
Upper Street, Angel
8. London’s first LGBT+ homeless shelter and community centre was opened in 2019 in Clerkenwell. What is the name of the organisation that runs the centre?
The Outside Project
The homeless shelter and community centre provides support for the homeless and those at risk, a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community to socialise and a place for groups to meet.
The Inside Project
The Inside Out Project
9. Switchboard previously known as London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard is a LGBTQ+ helpline launched in March 1974. In the basement of which bookshop was it originally located?
Houseman’s
Started as a 5 hour daily service it soon became a 24-hours service due to demand. The helpline takes calls from all over the world providing support and someone to talk to and is still going strong today.
Gay’s the Word
Sisterwrite
10. The UK’s first LGBT+ youth group for teenagers was set up in Islington. What was the name of the group?
London Gay Teenage Group
As the age of consent for gay men to have sex only lowered to 18 in 1994 (and 16 in 2000) many LGBTQ+ youth groups were not aimed at teenagers. LGTG provided support and space for LGBTQ+ teenagers to socialise.
Lesbian and Gay Teenage Group
Gay and Lesbian Teenage Group