As LGBT History month draws to a close, at Leeds Domestic Violence Service (LDVS) we are reflecting on and celebrating the rich LGBT+ history of Leeds and the communities that have shaped it and campaigned for the rights of LGBT+ people.
Domestic abuse in LGBT+ communities has significantly low awareness and may present differently than in heterosexual relationships, and many fail to recognise the risks that the LGBT+ people face. 2018’s National LGBT survey found almost one-third (29%) of LGBT+ participants disclosed an incident involving someone they lived with because they identified as LGBT+.
1950s – 1970s
Leeds has a long history of LGBT+ friendly pubs and bars, dating all the way back to the 1950s, and providing spaces for LGBT+ people when homosexuality was still, or only recently decriminalised.
Most venues are centred around The Calls and Briggate, an area sometimes referred to as Freedom Quarter, and home to pubs like The New Penny, still a popular venue today, and reported to be the oldest gay pub in Leeds. The New Penny was awarded a blue plaque in 2016, for “providing a safe venue for the Lesbian Gay, Bisexual and Trans* community”.
The University of Leeds has also long advocated for LGBT+ rights and Leeds hosted the UK’s first national conference on trans issues at the University in 1974.
1980s – 1990s
This community only continued to expand into the 80s and 90s, with women-only discos held frequently at the Dock Green Inn in Harehills organised by lesbian groups which created a real community among women, particularly with miners’ wives.
In the face of the AIDs crisis, activist group Act Up Leeds, tried to wrap the Black Prince statue entirely in cling film in 1990, and while they did attract press coverage, they ran out of cling film!
2000s – Present
Leeds also saw one of the first civil partnerships in the UK, as local entrepreneur Terry George and his partner, entered into a civil partnership in 2005 at their nightclub, Bar Fibre – another popular gay bar in town.
The first official Leeds Pride took place in 2006, following its predecessor ‘Hyde Out’ which was a picnic on Woodhouse Moor that had been running annually since 1997. Since the first Leeds Pride, it has continued to grow every year in size and popularity, with over 70,000 in attendance last year.
In 2011, LDVS was formed by Leeds Women’s Aid, Behind Closed Doors and HALT to deliver the local authority’s community Domestic Violence and Abuse contracted services in partnership for the first time.
Domestic abuse in the LGBT+ community can often go unreported and those victim-survivors face systemic barriers in accessing support. LDVS works to support all people and all gender identities, and through our Sanctuary Support Team (SST), we offer specialist support for LGBT+ victim-survivors. Additionally, in partnership with Yorkshire Mesmac, LDVS runs the Domestic Violence and Abuse Voices Project, which works to share the stories of LGBTQ+ individuals affected by domestic violence or abuse, once they are free from harm. The project presents these powerful narratives to key decision makers in the city, fostering awareness and driving change. Learn more on the LGBT Voices Project Page.
At LDVS, we can also help you to access specific LGBTQ+ services, in addition to our own services. For support or advice, call our 24hr helpline on 0113 246 0401.
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LGBT+ Services in Leeds:
Angels of Freedom: The Angels of Freedom is a community based initiative organised by volunteers which provides visible support for the LGBT+ community based in the Freedom Quarter area of the city every Friday evening.
Out Together: Out Together is a charity that unites LGBT+ generations in Yorkshire. It works together to create a diverse, vibrant and enduring community to overcome the cultural and social barriers.
Mindwell Leeds: A national charity delivering a wide range of services to lesbian, gay and bisexual and trans (LGBT+) communities.
Leeds Mind: Leeds Mind delivers the Open Minds Project, a course to explore the relationship between your identity and your mental health, challenge stigma and discrimination, and learn ways to look after, speak up for and celebrate yourself.
Pride of Place Leeds: an organisation which aims to create of a vibrant and sustainable LGBTQ+ community in central Leeds where LGBTQ+ people can live, work, and enjoy life independently.
Resources & Further Reading:
National LGBT Survey: Research report – GOV.UK
https://welcometoleeds.co.uk/article/lgbt-history-month-celebrating-pride-in-leeds/
https://secretlibraryleeds.net/2020/07/31/lgbt-leeds-a-brief-history-in-photographs/
https://www.leedsinspired.co.uk/collection/lgbt-history-month-leeds
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBTQ_culture_in_Leeds
https://ldvs.uk/the-dva-voices-project/lgbt-lived-experience-voices/
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