Hyde Park
From LGBT Archive
Hyde Park, in the City of Westminster, is a large public park in central London. It is one of the Royal Parks, and forms a single open space with Kensington Gardens. It was opened to the public in 1637.
In 1830, 19 men were arrested by two policemen in a two-month campaign against homosexuals.[1]
In 1912, moral campaigners were complaining that "indecency, sexual intercourse and sodomy are being constantly carried on in various parts of Hyde park, especially after dark".[2]
Speakers' Corner, near Marble Arch, is noted for open-air public speaking (and at one time for gay pick-ups).
Hyde Park has been the site of Gay Days and London Pride festivals.
References
- ↑ The Times, 20 and 26 April 1830, quoted in H G Cocks, "Secrets, Crime and Diseases, 1800–1814", Chapter 4 of Matt Cook (ed) A Gay History of Britain, page 117
- ↑ Central London Free Chruch Council to the Home Office, 25 October 1912, quoted in H G Cocks, "Secrets, Crime and Diseases, 1800–1814", Chapter 4 of Matt Cook (ed) A Gay History of Britain, page 117
