Tracking Newcastle's gay history
The search is on for information about the colourful – and often clandestine – history of Newcastle upon Tyne's gay scene.
Organisers of a new history walk are calling on members of the city's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities to share their memories and stories so that they can be included in the city trail.
The LGBT Heritage Walk has been developed by members of the STaG gay and bisexual men's group and is based upon the memories and anecdotes of men who have experienced Newcastle's gay scene through the years.
The two and a half mile walk takes in areas including Haymarket, Grey Street, Bigg Market and of course the Pink Triangle.
Steve Paske, who has been involved in developing the walk, says it has helped to capture many wonderful, and sometimes poignant, memories of Newcastle's gay scene over several decades.
Now he's hoping further research can uncover new information which can be incorporated into the walk and wants to hear from others within the LGBT communities, particularly older people.
“Most of the memories included in the walk are those of gay men,” said Steve.
“We know that other people within the LGBT communities will have their own memories and we would welcome any additional information so that we can build a fuller picture of how Newcastle's gay scene has developed and thrived over the years.”
The walk takes people from Central Station – where a bar at The County Hotel, nicknamed Nancy’s after the manageress, was once the place to be seen – to the Haymarket – where the former Senate bar was the meeting place for the Tyneside Campaign for Homosexual Equality (CHE) in the late 70s.
It traces the history of gay bars and clubs, past and present, the famous characters who were once key figures on the gay scene and the struggle and discrimination faced by gay men and women – as well as their successes – in their campaign for equality.
“This walk gives people the chance to find out about a fascinating part of Newcastle's history,” says Steve.
“The bars, nightclubs, campaigning groups and colourful characters from yesteryear can all be discovered simply by taking a stroll around the city.
“We want to build as full a picture as we can so that we can add to the walk and we hope people will help us by contributing their own stories and memories.”
Steve is also hoping to obtain funding in order to produce a leaflet setting out the walking route and Newcastle's LGBT history.
People can get in touch to share memories and information by contacting Steve at stevepaske@talktalk.net or writing to Steve Paske, C/O 13 Walker Terrace, Gateshead, NE8 1EB.
Ends
Note to editors
Did you know?
- The Pink Triangle is the hub of today’s gay scene but in the 1950’s and 60s it was the city's famous Bigg Market.
- For decades Punchinellos Bar in the now gone Royal Turks Head Hotel on Grey Street was a popular meeting place for older homosexuals.
- Gay bars and other venues depended on the existence of ‘gay-friendly’ or actually gay and lesbian landlords and landladies, as well as a considerable amount of discretion on the part of the clientele. If the landlord or landlady changed, the new tenant could reject the clientele, telling them such things as ‘your sort are no longer welcome here’.
Jane Byrne
07794 290 176
jane@thecommunicationscooperative.co.uk
thecommunicationscooperative.co.uk
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