Bristol

Bristol is a city and county in south-west England. The town received a Royal Charter in 1155 and became a county of itself in 1373. It has been a city since 1542 when a local abbey became a cathedral. In 1974 it became a district within the county of Avon, but Avon was abolished in 1996, when Bristol regained its county status and became a unitary authority. In mediaeval times Bristol was one of the most important towns in England, and a port second only to London. Much of its subsequent growth was connected with the slave trade.

Notable Bristol landmarks include the Clifton Suspension Bridge across the Avon Gorge. In 1961 John Betjeman described Bristol as "the most beautiful, interesting and distinguished city in England".

LGBT history

In the early 1970s there was a Bristol GLF branch.

There was a Bristol CHE Group.

Gay West, founded 1982, is a support and social group for LGBT people. The history of the group, and other groups in the area, is described in Gay West (2011) by Robert Howes.

Local LGBT sports teams include Bristol Panthers FC, Bristol Bisons RFC and Bristol Cycle Out.