A screening of Under Your Nose – The Story of the Black Lesbian and Gay Centre, 2016 (82 mins), directed by Veronica McKenzie, followed by a Q&A with Veronica, former members of the Black Lesbian and Gay Centre and special guests.
In 1985, a group of activists came together with one aim: to open a centre for black lesbians and gay men. Against the backdrop of 1980s politics, the rise of Thatcherism and HIV/AIDS, they played a groundbreaking role in the struggle for lesbian and gay equality.
Under Your Nose is dedicated to the unsung trailblazers whose struggle in hostile and often dangerous times shaped the political landscape of the UK and offered a lifeline to many others. Their legacy is still apparent today.
This event is on the occasion of London’s newest Rainbow Plaque, which will be dedicated to the Black Lesbian and Gay Centre (BLGC) and unveiled in 2024.
Rainbow Plaques is a national scheme that identifies hidden and lost LGBTQIA+ heritage whilst highlighting the importance of the visibility of queer communities in our streets and public spaces. The scheme is supported by the Mayor of London’s Untold Stories Fund as part of his Commission for Diversity in the Public Realm. With additional support from Wandsworth Oasis.
In partnership with London LGBT+ Forums’ Network, with kind assistance from Peckhamplex.
