2003 – Stoke Pride
A Stoke Pride event was originally planned in 2003 but was cancelled due to fears of a homophobic backlash following opposition from local residents and BNP Councillors. In 2006 The Club and Three Tuns along with other established venues hosted the “Big Pink CarPark” event. This was the first event that could properly be called Stoke Pride.
1969 – The Stonewall Riots and the Birth of Pride
1969 is the year in which the Stonewall Riots took place. This post explores how this was reported at the time and in the years that followed when Gay Liberation Front groups emerged around the UK
1968 – The Killing of Sister George
The Killing of Sister George is a 1968 American film based on the 1964 play by British playwright Frank Marcus. The film attracted considerable controversy due to an explicit lesbian lovemaking scene. In this post we explore some of the local press coverage.
2008 – Inferno Gay Sauna
Inferno was Stoke’s first gay sauna – an openly gay venue that was clearly and unambiguously promoted as a place where men could meet for sex. It was based in Garth Street in close proximity to The Club and opened around 2008. The company wound up some time in early 2012. Gay Saunas have a long history
1995 – The MESMEN Project
Staffordshire Buddies set up the Mesmen Project in Lichfield to provide HIV Prevention and Sexual Health Promotion to gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in South Staffordshire. The project ran for over twenty years helping create social opportunities for LGBT+ people while striving to improve their health.
1973 – Stoke’s First Listing in Gay News
The first issue of Gay News was published in May 1972. Over the following year an information page evolved with listings for areas outside London. Stoke’s first listing of pubs and clubs appeared in issue 27 published July 1973.
The Origins of Our Gay Scene
The earliest reference to gay friendly venues comes from oral history passed down within our community. It is said that as early as the 1920s The Unicorn Inn was used a meeting place for men and that during the second world war The Antelope and The Stage Door were well known as gay friendly pubs.
1977 – Tom Robinson Band Plays in Stoke and Stafford
The Tom Robinson Band were a British rock band, established in 1976. Their song “Glad to Be Gay” is considered a British national gay anthem. In 1977 they played venues in the midlands including Stoke and Stafford.
1918 – Maud Allan Libel Case
In the spring of 1918, famous Canadian dancer and actress, Maud Allan pursued a libel case against right wing MP Noel Pemberton-Billing. The case revolved around an article published in his newspaper “The Vigilante” which was headlined “The Cult of the Clitoris”
1982 – Latecomer – A Gay Play
In October 1982 the Potteries Gay Community Association applied to stage a gay themed play, “Latecomer” by Eric Presland. After a private council debate two thirds of the committee agreed to the play being presented and it was subsequently staged at the Newcastle Guildhall on Nov 9th.
