The Black Lesbian and Gay Centre Project (BLGC) formed in the 1980s when a group of Black lesbian and gay people came together to create a supportive environment to share their experiences without fear.
“UK was the first country in the world to have a Black Lesbian and Gay Centre.” - Dennis Carney
The group employed an ‘inclusive’ definition of black therefore it was open to all people of colour. Issues they tackled included: invisibility and racism within mainstream LGBT movements, homophobia within Black communities, Thatcherism, AIDS and Section 28. The BLGC recognised the need for a range of services for Black LGBT people, including advice and counselling, a telephone helpline and a social space. Although the BLGC did not secure a permanent site they operated from a range of temporary spaces. After years of fundraising they secured a permanent home in a converted railway arch in Peckham.
The work carried out by Black LGBT activists in the group was often at a personal cost and went largely undocumented which led to a crowdfunding project to produce the documentary titled “Under Your Nose”.
“Documentation is so important because so much of what we did is invisible now. I mean I’ve never tried googling “Black Lesbian and Gay Centre Project” but I bet if I did, jack shit would come up.” - Dorothea Smartt
A clip from the documentary is available to watch on Youtube.
