Croydon Area Gay Society
Croydon Area Gay Society (CAGS) is a social group for gay men and lesbians in Croydon, South London.
History
In the early 1970s, the Campaign for Homosexual Equality was attracting large numbers of members, and forming them into local groups where appropriate. There was a general rule that a single group ought not to have more than 30 or 40 members, so when a particular area had more than this number, additional groups were formed. Within London, the individual groups were numbered, and new members were assigned to them without reference to geographical location. In 1971, Andy, a young gay man living in South Norwood, visited one of the London groups and decided to start something locally. The new group was recognised as London Group Seven, but unlike hte other groups had a particular geographical focus and was soon renamed "Croydon CHE Group".
A major activity of the early days was the Star Discos (held at the Star in London Road, West Croydon, now the Broad Green Tavern) which raised money for establishing a Gay Centre in Croydon. Several thousand pounds were raised, but this was never quite enough to form the gay centrel
In the 1980s, a very controversial decision was made by CHE to separate off the local groups and concentrate on national campaigning. Croydon CHE Group therefore had to become an independent society, called Croydon Area Lesbian and Gay Society (CALGS). Hoever this name was unpopular with some members, considering that "gay" encompassed both men and women. The group was therefore re-named Croydon Area Gays Society (CAGS) following the example of groups such as WAGS (Wimbledon), KRAGS (Kingston and Richmond) and GAGS (Guildford).
Since the early days, there has been an active tennis group, playing every week of the year. At one time badminton was also played.
CAGS today
For much of its history, CAGS has operated mainly as a social group, with events such as coffee evenings and wine and cheese parties in members' homes. Additionally it now provides open meetings every other month, in the Brief public house in central Croydon. It has also given rise to Silver Rainbow, a group for older lesbians and gay men, meeting for lunch once a fortnight.
