Preferred site: the former Bow Street Police Station, where Oscar Wilde was jailed.
London – UK – 4 June 2004
Gay campaigner Peter Tatchell today outlined detailed proposals for a Lesbian & Gay Museum in London. He originally proposed the museum idea when he stood as a Green Left candidate in the London Assembly elections in 2000.
During the current London Mayoral campaign, Tatchell’s proposal was taken up by Green Party candidate, Darren Johnson, who made it a key plank of the Greens’ 10-point ‘Manifesto for a Gay-Friendly London’.
Johnson’s backing for the museum was later matched by the Tory and Labour candidates, Steve Norris and Ken Livingstone.
“Now we have a cross-party consensus in favour of the museum, it is time to discuss the details”, said Tatchell. “Whoever gets elected, this museum is going to happen”.
“The ideal location for the Lesbian & Gay Museum would be the former Bow Street Police Station, where Oscar Wilde was incarcerated after his arrest in 1895. It is a beautiful nineteenth century Grade II listed building, situated opposite the Royal Opera House”.
“As well documenting the history of queer London, the museum could become the home of the Hall-Carpenter Archives and the Lesbian & Gay News Archive, which are currently dispersed at LSE and Middlesex University. It could also provide a meeting space for queer community groups and a gallery area for arts and photographic exhibitions”.
“I hope the museum will be part-funded by the Greater London Authority, part-funded by the National Lottery, and part-funded by private donations, public subscription and philanthropic trusts”.
Explaining his rationale for the museum, he said:
“London’s lesbian and gay community has a fascinating, hidden history spanning more than four centuries. The museum could display everything from eighteenth century molly house artefacts, to badges and placards from the campaign to repeal Section 28”.
“It has the potential to become an international attraction, bringing in researchers and tourists from all over Britain and the world – enhancing London’s status as the world’s leading queer city and contributing tourism earnings to the pink and London economies”.
There follows below a copy of Peter Tatchell’s original news release – issued in April 2000, during his London Assembly election campaign – when he first suggested the museum idea and spelt out details regarding the museum’s content, rationale and funding.
TATCHELL FOR LONDON ASSEMBLY
10.15 am, Monday 3 April 2000
Outside the former Bow Street Police Station
Bow Street, WC2
LESBIAN & GAY MUSEUM
Plans for a Lesbian & Gay Museum in London were unveiled today (3 April 2000) by Peter Tatchell, the Green Left candidate for the London Assembly.
He made the announcement outside his preferred location for the new museum, the former Bow Street Police Station in Covent Garden.
“As well documenting the history of queer London, the museum would become the home of the Hall-Carpenter Archives and the Lesbian & Gay News Archive (currently dispersed at LSE and Middlesex University). It would also provide a meeting space for queer community groups and a gallery area for arts and photographic exhibitions”, said Tatchell.
Mr Tatchell hoped the museum would be part-funded by the Greater London Authority, part-funded by the National Lottery, and part-funded by private donations, public subscription and philanthropic trusts.
Explaining his rationale for the museum, he said:
“London’s lesbian and gay community has a fascinating, hidden history spanning more than four centuries. The museum could display everything from eighteenth century molly house artefacts, to badges and placards from the campaign to repeal Section 28”.
“This museum has the potential to become an international attraction, bringing in researchers and tourists from all over Britain and the world – enhancing London’s status as the world’s leading queer city and contributing tourism earnings to the gay and London economies”, said Mr Tatchell.
Peter Tatchell was speaking outside the former Bow Street Police Station in Covent Garden. The nineteenth century Grade II listed building is situated opposite the Royal Opera House. He suggested the ex-police station would make an ideal home for his proposed museum:
“This is the place where Oscar Wilde was charged and locked up after his arrest in 1895. It is a magnificent building, connected to the gay history of London. It would be a perfect location for the museum”.
“The museum would not only document the lives and experiences of lesbian and gay Londoners, but also provide administrative, archive and exhibition space for the Hall-Carpenter Archives and the Lesbian & Gay News Archive”, added Tatchell.