LGBT History Month 2018

Throughout February, an exhibition detailing the work of Croydon's various LGBT groups will be on display on the first floor of Croydon Central Library. The library will also be staging an exhibition of the work of LGBT Photographer Tom Dingley, either in the library itself, or in the foyer.

Sanderstead's gay rights campaigner Peter Wells was 26, his partner was 18. Because this was 1974 when the gay age of consent was 21, he was sentenced to two and a half years in jail. Scandal engulfed his partner, too. From his cell, Wells launched the first European Court of Human Rights challenge to the discrimination in the different ages of consent. The case was pioneering stuff, needing several more cases building on his work to finally get success in the late 1990s..He played a key role in creating a path to legal equality for LGBT people, yet his story is almost unknown. Born in Bristol but adopted as a baby, Wells lived his whole life in Sanderstead. To book your place call Library on 020 3700 1034.

A reading event at Dulwich Library to to celebrate LGBT History Month and forty years of GAW, and in memory of GAW member Rex Batten on his 90th birthday. To include an introduction to Gay Authors Workshop and Paradise Press and Rex’s contribution to them, readings from Rex’s work, and short readings by other GAW members. It is hoped to provide refreshments.

A series of Indian Ink drawings by locally based LGBT artist Ruhul Abdin, exploring the reclined nude on scrolls of 20 metre paper. The subjects were drawn in late 2017 and early 2018, and comprise friends and lovers at the artist's home in Croydon. The exhibition will close each day at 5.00 pm.

A collaborative workshop will be led by Ruhul Abdin, an artist and urban development planner on the potential to create a new queer place for Croydon’s diverse LGBTQI community.

Filmmaker, painter, gay rights activist, author, gardener – Derek Jarman packed many roles into a short life. Jarman In Pieces is a performance collage comprising original songs, film, interviews from people who knew Jarman and his work. Created and performed by Project Adorno.