22/03/2021
It's been a long time since the LGBTQ community in Bristol had a community centre of its own. The Gay Centre on Gas Ferry Road existed between around 1978 and 1983, but sadly closed down soon thereafter – at just the time when the AIDS Crisis meant there was a greater call than ever for it. In its stead, the community enjoyed other official and unofficial meetings places, such as the Aled Richards (later Terrence Higgins Trust) building on Old Market, GreenLeaf Bookstore and later Hydra Books, and the Watershed, Arnolfini and Cafe Kino. Now, however, reports in B247 say that a coalition of activists is information gathering with a view to opening some kind of community centre for the whole of the LGBTQ spectrum in the near future, after lockdown. “We want to see Bristol’s queer community becoming stronger in tackling social and environmental matters and increasing the resilience of those involved, whilst having fun,” activist Marcin told reporters. Marcin also encourages anyone with ideas for a name to come forward, filling in a form which you can find online at Forms.gle.
