A new community centre for LGBTQ+ people is opening early next month in Bankside following research that shows safe spaces are still needed.
Funded by crowdfunding and the National Lottery, the space will by sober, intergenerational and informed by research which found that 42 per cent of LGBT people would like to access support for their mental health now.
In a recent study by Stonewall, one in eight LGBT people aged 18-24 said they’ve attempted to take their own life in the last year, while almost half of trans people have thought about taking their own life in the last year.
The centre will be coming to London after 60 per cent of LGBT community centres have closed down in the last decade. The new community centre aims to be a place where LGBTQ+ Londoners and visitors of any age or identity can relax, be themselves, and feel safe.
Matthew Riley, Communications and Marketing Manager for LGBTQ+ charity Tonic Housing, said: “From experience, we know how crucial LGBTQ+ affirming spaces are to our community’s safety and quality of life.
“We’re super excited to see the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre pop-up open, and can’t wait to see how this much-needed project grows!”
Queer architect Martha Summers, who was heavily involved in the creation of the Feminist Library’s new space in Peckham, helped design the centre.
She said: “It’s so exciting to take part in the creation of this much-needed space, in such a central location. The pop-up is a great opportunity to test things out in real space and real time and hopefully take lessons forward into a permanent venue.
“We want to make a space that the community can make their own.”
The Centre will provide a café, lounge space, social space for events, and LGBTQ+ specific service provision including mental health, sexual health, and services supporting trans, youth and older LGBTQ+ people, and has been supported by Southwark Council in finding a location.
The space has also seen support from Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, who said: “The loss of so many of our LGBTQ+ venues means that it has never been more important to have a safe, inclusive, all-day space for all LGBTQ+ communities to be themselves, reduce isolation and improve wellbeing.
“I will do all I can to transform it into a permanent space.”
Opening near the Tate Modern on December 1, the space will operate for six months in a trial period. It will be mostly run by volunteers.