Here are facts: In the UK, hate crimes committed against LGBTQIA+ people have been increasing. As an example, LGBTQIA+ NGO Galop reported that since 2016, anti-LGBTQIA+ hate crimes have doubled on public transport. In 2022-2023, there were over 24,100 reported hate crimes targeting sexual orientation, reflecting a 112% increase over five years.
And that’s only the reported cases.
Considering this continuing non-acceptance, it should come as no surprise for LGBTQIA+ people to carve their own spaces.
In Bloomsbury, in the London Borough of Camden, this is what the Bloomsbury Square has become.
@outragemag #Cruising in #London? Here's #BloomsburySquare, a small #park that's also a hidden #LGBT #gay #bisexual ♬ original sound – Outrage Magazine
As background: Bloomsbury Square is a garden square developed for the 4th Earl of Southampton in the late 17th century. Initially known as Southampton Square, it was one of the earliest London squares. This garden is Grade II listed on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.
It’s actually just a mini-park, with benches dotting various locations of a tree-lined space. Here, you can enjoy the sun, grab your lunch or snacks, or… just spend time outdoors particularly when it’s not too cold.
But at nights – as shared by Ms Kayla Antonia Garcia, a friend from Cotabato City in the Philippines and Sydney in Australia – this place turns into something else: a space allowing gay and bi men, or men who have sex with men, to be with each other. They do the deed behind the trees, behind the bushes… or where they can.
That’s a long way of saying “cruising site”.
Such places are common all over the world.
If you’ve been to Puerto Galera in the Philippines during Holy Week, I’m sure you’re familiar with Jurassic Park, Rockwell and Manggahan. In New York’s Fire Island, Cherry Grove comes to mind. And in Sydney, Hyde Park is – yes – more than just a park.
Of course we can blabber about the so-called “morality” of it all, about “What about the children?” arguments, and so on. But never, ever stop talking about the need for LGBTQIA+ spaces. Because spaces like the Bloomsbury Square highlight this lack.
And so off we go for more LGBTQIA+ rampa…
Bloomsbury Square Gardens is located at Bedford Pl, London WC1A 2NS England.
