Central Station is an LGBTQ+ public house in Islington’s Kings Cross. This week they celebrate 30 years as an independent LGBTQ+ venue. Owner’s Martin Mason and Duncan Irvine have been there the entire time, and to mark their three decades at the pub they’re holding an exhibition inside the pub during opening hours.
With a community focused pub like this, it’s hard to separate the people that run it from the building itself, and they’ll be celebrating the impact they and the venue have had across London’s LGBT+ community for three decades.
“Making an Exhibition of Ourselves”
The exhibition illustrates the pubs rich history as a focal point for London’s LGBTQ+ community with lots of photos, press cuttings (QX will hopefully be in there!), and correspondence. Memories and oral histories illustrate the last 30 years, and the venue has had a lot of oral history! There are memories good and bad; the wonderful Dave Lynn was at the opening night; there was an attack by a far-right gang; the late Queen Mother responded to her invitation to her 100th birthday party at Central Station.
Martin and Duncan helped run many fundraising events to help fight the AIDS pandemic. Many social and campaigning groups were formed and met at Central Station, including: Countdown on Spanner, which helped change the law regarding consensual S&M sex; G.M.F.A., now a major charity campaigning on gay men’s sexual health issues; Rank Outsiders, who led the way in promoting LGBTQ+ people’s right to being accepted in the armed forces; Stonewall F.C. and King’s Cross Steelers R.F.C, the first gay rugby club in the world; Grace’s Cricket Club, the first out gay cricket club in the world; FTM London, a peer support group run by and for transmasculine people; Sweet Wednesday, a major trans social club that has met at the pub twice monthly for 13 years. There are too many to mention.
In 2021, Central Station received a pink heritage plaque from Islington’s Pride. The plaque is an acknowledgement of Central Station’s significant contribution to our community and beyond. If you’re interested in looking up more of Central Stations history, the Islington Local History Center houses an archive of Central Station related material.
Martin Mason told QX, “Central Station became known as a warm and welcoming venue for people who were coming to terms with their sexuality when the social climate was very different than it is now. For many of the pub’s patrons, it was there first time ever in a gay venue and often many had not come out to family and friends. We are proud of the impact Central Station has had on people’s lives, and after 30 years it’s time for us to celebrate that.”
“Making An Exhibition Of Ourselves” runs from 14 July until Sunday, 18 August from 5pm – 9pm daily with admission free.
Central Station, 37 Wharfdale Rd, King’s Cross, London, N1 9SD
If you wish to donate and help secure Central Station’s future (hopefully for the next 30 years!) you can do so at Central Station’s GoFundMe page.
