Piers and Queers - a tour of Brighton's LGBT past
'definitely needs to be one of the first things you do for your gay holiday in Brighton'
'Ah, dear Brighton. Piers, queers and racketeers' - Noel Coward
Who passed as a man to become a pioneering surgeon? What’s the Brighton connection with The Importance of Being Earnest and 'the love that dare not speak its name'? Who came to Brighton to start a new life – and illegally marry – in a new gender? Which Brighton gal became an icon to gay men and lesbians alike? Who did Edward VII call ‘the most remarkable woman in the kingdom’? Which romantic hero spent a last summer of youth in Brighton? Whose diary has been called ‘The Rosetta Stone of lesbian history’? Why has Brighton become such an LGBT-friendly city?
Long before it was known as the ‘Gay Capital of Europe’, Brighton has attracted people with alternative sexualities and gender identities. Their stories give us insight into the surprising diversity of lives in the past, while many also made unique contributions to wider society and culture. The Piers & Queers 80-minute walking tour looks at some of the stories from Brighton’s past, focusing on the astonishing personalities of LGBT interest and their tales of achievement, challenge, bravery and infamy.
Forthcoming tour dates :
May 4th - June 2nd 2013 every Saturday & Sunday 11:00am
Meet: by West Pier, Upper Promenade, opposite Regency Square map
£8 (£6 concessions)
£8 (£6 concessions)
Press: Review in The Brighton Argus
Customer feedback: Love Fringe 2013 Love Fringe 2012
Interview on Radio Reverb
Tweets from Ben Cohen, broadcaster & founding publisher of Pink News:
Tweet from Kathy Caton, BBC & Radio Reverb
Tweet from Travel Blog Travels of Adam:
Weather: the tour route is mostly along the seafront, so please come dressed appropriately for standing around in an exposed location (which is usually one more layer than when you're just walking around!)
Access: the tour is step-free. We go mainly along Brighton promenade, which is wide and flat. There are some short detours up side streets, which may be narrow.
Written notes are available for people with hearing impairments. Please arrange in advance.
In London? Check out the LGBTQ History Tour of Soho.
