Flatmates at Abbey Road; we represent different aspects of sexuality and gender identity

Gay’s The Word Bookshop 

Queerness takes many forms, and nowhere was this more the case than in London, England. During my study abroad opportunity here, I deepened my own understanding of myself and my asexuality, and I learned just how strong and beautiful the LGBTQIA+ community is within the city. When my flatmate and I embarked on an excursion to visit a few bookstores in Bloomsbury one fateful afternoon, we strolled through Skoob Books and Judd Books before finally arriving at the one we’d anticipated the most: Gay’s the Word, the UK’s oldest LGBTQIA+ bookshop. Above the building, one of London’s famous blue plaques resided. It memorialized Mark Ashton, a “political and community activist” who founded LGSM (Lesbians & Gays Support the Miners), a group which met at Gay’s the Word in the 1980s. The shop itself is small, its interior giving off a cozy atmosphere, but its collection is impressive and celebrates all the complexities of identity.  

Gay’s the Word Bookshop 

In fact, the movie Pride (2014) tackles the history of the bookshop and its advocates. I watched this film for my creative writing class during my study abroad experience and it was life changing. As an American with multicultural roots, and as someone who identifies as a member of the queer community, I enjoy reading and watching diverse media because I want to know how I can be a better human and a more knowledgeable ally.  This film, however, slipped under my radar, and I am so glad I was introduced to it because I learned an incredible amount about how Great Britain came to cement LGBTQIA+ rights in its legislation.

The characters were flawed but loveable and there was such a message of hope by the end. Plus, seeing Gay’s the Word on screen and then being able to visit the bookshop was an amazing experience. I felt like I was standing at a convergence of past, present, and future queer community members, all united under our ability to love how we choose and how we decide, and I was inspired to be bolder about my identity. This boldness included attending events I would normally shy away from, like Solilo-Queers.  

Solilo-Queers 

At Skoob Books, one of the aforementioned bookstores, my friend and I came across a poster for an event called “Solilo-Queers,” a Shakespearean-themed, half speed-dating, half playwriting workshop. I remember the moment we looked at each other, laughed in disbelief and with excitement, and shared the information with other people we knew. Thus, we ended up at this event on Valentine’s Day in London! 

“Solilo-Queers” Poster 

Note to fellow travelers: For an activity like “Solilo-Queers,” I advise traveling with at least two other people. Safety is something to consider in every situation—but especially those where your identity might make you a target. It’s unfortunate, but it’s the reality. And, also, attending with friends will ensure you don’t get lost! My group wandered for a bit before we found the location of the workshop, and it was already getting dark. Having others help with navigation made me feel safe and secure.  

The workshop itself was freeing; I didn’t focus so much on the dating portion, as I wanted to just get to know the people in the room—local Londoners, American transplants, and folks from all over the world. Each person exuded so much kindness and acceptance that I felt like I belonged there. I had tremendous fun writing my own soliloquies about love and the likes. It was an incredibly unique experience that came about by chance, and I am grateful that London allowed me the opportunity to dive into its culture like this. 

Cowbois 

One last memory of mine that I still think about: Cowbois, a queer western featuring transmasc characters written by Charlie Josephine (they/he) and Sean Holmes (he/him). It was my first show that I saw in London, part of my Theatre in the City course. CEA CAPA’s inclusionary curriculum was fantastic, for sure—I felt supported and seen during my time abroad.  

Cowbois at the Royal Court Theatre; photo credits to my friend who was sitting next to me 

Cowbois exuded joy, comedy, tragedy, and heartbreak. As I wrote in my Theatre paper, the show evoked a strong sense of catharsis in me, a term first coined by Aristotle in Poetics. It spoke very much of a normalization of queerness that is hard to come by in other places.  

I would have also taken a Queer Studies class at CEA CAPA, but unfortunately, I was not able to add that to my schedule. Still, I heard all about it from a good friend of mine, so I felt that I wasn’t missing out! 

Lastly—as an aside—while in Cardiff, Wales, I came across a place called the Queer Emporium. It was a delightful shop with an assortment of books and merchandise, in addition to a coffee/tea stand. Wherever I went, I felt honored that I could partake and immerse myself in the LGBTQIA+ community in different areas. 

Queer Emporium in Cardiff, Wales 

So, if you’re worried about finding said community while abroad, I hope this blog post can ease those concerns, because London really does have everything if you’re willing to keep your eyes peeled, participate actively in classes, and learn as much as you can about your new environment. Because of my study abroad experience, I learned how to carry my identity with positivity, rather than continuing to feel the weight of its implications. I became more confident in my ability to talk to like-minded folks, even though my social anxiety nearly scared me away from these moments. Now back at Hollins, “queer” and “asexual” are words I don’t shy away from. I hope that every prospective study abroad student, no matter how they identify or what brings them to the city, can find this kind of acceptance within themselves as they travel!