Reading

The Royal Berkshire Hospital

Reading (pronounced as if spelt "Redding") is a town and unitary authority in Berkshire. It is located where the River Kennet meets the River Thames.

LGBT history

Reading Gay Alliance was founded in October 1971. In the 1970s there were a Reading CHE group and a Reading GLF.

Tom Coates and Will Young were born in Reading.

In 2003, Rev Jeffrey John, who is in a celibate relationship with another man, was chosen to be Bishop of Reading, but withdrew in the ensuing controversy.

Reading Pride has been held annually since 2004 (except 2020 and 2021 because of Covid).

Support U is an LGBT health and wellbeing centre based in Reading.

Reading Pride 2007:Police women on the Hampshire Constabulary stall (photo Dr Clifford Williams)

The Wynford Arms was a local gay pub for over 20 years, but closed down in 2015. The Blagrave Arms is now thought to be the only LGBT venue in the town.

Homophobic triple murder 2020

On Saturday 20 June 2020 three gay men were murdered in Forbury Gardens. The three men; James Furlong, David Wails and Joe Ritchie-Bennett, were regular customers at the Blagrave pub, near Forbury Gardens . The murderer Khairi Saadallah, aged 26,killed the three men after shouting Allahu Akbar. On 11 January 2021 the murderer was sentenced to a 'whole life sentence' .