LGBTQ+ History Month is an annual celebration in February, to recognise the incredible things that members of the LGBTQ+ community have achieved throughout history.

Activism and social change is this year’s theme, and Around Ealing spoke to local activist and founder of the West London Queer Project (WLQP) Aubrey Crawley. The project runs fun events and provides a safe space for the community to meet, as well as advocacy and awareness raising work.

Aubrey told us about his experiences of activism and how the WLQP came to be…

’It all happened by accident’

“I never intended to start the West London Queer Project, it all happened by accident,” he said.

Aubrey was approached by a pub in Chiswick to help promote and run a cabaret night. This was in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions were easing, and people were allowed to socialise outside again.

“The person I was due to meet didn’t show up,” he said. “And I started thinking about what a nice space it was, and how I’d like to start a weekly social.

“So that’s what I did, and each week more and more people showed up and shared their stories and before I knew it, I had a project on my hands. The project continued to grow until 3 years ago, I manged to get National Lottery funding and started focusing on the WLQP full time.”

’Providing safe, supportive spaces’

When Aubrey moved to the UK from South Africa in 1998, he lived in the borough and recalls a thriving LGBTQ+ community in west London. He said there were 17 LGBTQ+ bars alone, but all have since closed.

“As a community we often struggle to find permanent spaces where everyone feels comfortable, whether it’s to play sport or just catch up with friends, so with the WLQP it was important to me to ensure people had access to that,” he explained

“Over time, I’ve continued to expand the WLQP, always being led by what my community want, and now we do all sorts of weird and wonderful things. WLQP enriches people’s lives through social activities including walks and writing workshops to touch rugby and book clubs – there’s a lot of excitement and joy.”

‘Getting LGBTQ+ voices heard’

There’s also a more serious side to the WLQP. Aubrey explained that its community still receives a lot of hate, and the world can be a scary place – particularly if you’re LGBTQ+. That’s one of the reasons why he works hard to make sure that everyone’s voice is heard.

He regularly involves himself in council, police and health and wellness meetings and workshops, giving feedback on community projects, on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community. He has even worked with the NHS to provide free mental health workshops.

But, he said, there’s more work to be done.

“I never set out to do this, but when I look back, I have always felt a sense of duty and responsibility to be out and speak out. The work I’m doing now with the WLQP is an extension of that.

“Running the WLQP, I’ve been surprised by how few LGBTQ+ people are getting involved in local community or decision-making projects. There’s lots happening but people aren’t coming forward, most likely due to fear.

“I receive homophobic hate messages daily, but my hope is that I can encourage other small organisations to step up and start doing things. Our voices need to be heard and that is through more public speaking and advocacy.

“That’s why I’ve done what I’ve done, sustaining the WLQP despite the challenges is my proudest achievement.”

Meet up with the WLQP in Ealing

The WLQP runs a regular free Friday social from 7pm, in No 17 Dickens Yard in Ealing Broadway, with exclusive use of the first-floor bar, lounge and terrace.

Find out more about the group and the events you can join at www.wlqp.org