White Horse

The White Horse was a pub in Rupert Street in London's West End frequented by homosexuals in 1951. The licencee Edward S. was concerned that police powers (e.g. EPA) that were being used to discourage gay men meeting in bars would lead to him losing his licence. He informed the police, but they refused to act. He attempted to maintain a strict door policy, but when this failed, the pub was raided.

Trying to get the balance right in the 1930s, 40s and 50s was difficult. In 1953 the doorman was sacked as he struggled to discern who he should lt in or refuse entry. His employer said "he made so many mistakes turning away respectable people... Half our customers... they only had to be wearing a coloured or painted tie or a coloured sweater".

See Timeline of West End Bars and Clubs.