Public urinals and gallows: Mapping Bristol’s LGBTQ+ history

For queer communities of the past, finding secluded or unusual spaces to meet was vital to avoid persecution.

In Bristol especially, queer people successfully navigated public spaces to meet friends, and find lovers.

Bristol Outstories, an LGBTQ+ community history group, has worked to map out these spaces, charting everything from urinals to public libraries.

Working with the University of Bristol and Bristol City Council, Outstories volunteers have sifted through a variety of testimonials and archival documents to create an interactive map of Bristol’s queer spaces.

The group has logged images as well as copies of historic materials, allowing people in Bristol to trace LGBTQ+ histories.

Robert Howes, head curator, has been overseeing the charity’s archives for years. He spoke to Bristol24/7 about the project ahead of Bristol Pride.

There are a myriad of intriguing locations on the Outstories map, but a personal favourite of Robert’s is the Radnor Hotel, on St Nicholas Street.

The Radnor Hotel in the 1960s with landlady Joan Weegenaar outside – photo: Anna Henderson, from University of Bristol archives

“This was the only gay pub in Bristol for many years, from at least the beginning of the Second World War until the 1970s, although by then it had plenty of competition,” Robert told Bristol24/7.

“I never knew it myself but I heard wonderful stories about it from a barmaid, Peggy Hancock, and others. It must have been a real home-from-home for LGBTQ+ people in difficult times.”

Another infamous spot for historic meetings was the urinal on Horfield Common.

The cast-iron Victorian urinal was a favourite meeting spot for gay lovers, often referred to as ‘cottages’ in gay parlance.

With homosexual behaviour being deemed illegal throughout the era, police officers would pose as ‘pretty policemen’, who would lure homosexual men into sexual acts.

Any response would lead to arrest and even conviction for gross indecency.

While some queer people met to find lovers, others met to find mutual support. The Trinity Road Library in St Phillip’s was one such place.

Starting in 1989, a monthly transgender support group met at Trinity Road Library on the fourth Saturday of every month.

Since then, the group has disbanded, later becoming the Bristol Crossroads group.

The library was a vital safe space for trans-Bristolians to discuss their experiences and find solidarity with transgender citizens.

While some public spaces offer safety, violence against queer people in Bristol is a historic fact that remains difficult to escape.

Just at the old city’s limits was the city’s gallows, a spot where some queer people faced execution for committing gay sex acts.

A number of people were executed for ‘unnatural crimes’ – photo: Bristol Record Offices

While executions finished by the end of the 16th century, the site has remained a key pilgrimage for queer people in Bristol today, marking the sacrifices of queer citizens of the past.

Despite historic acts of violence against LGBTQ+ communities, Bristol is nonetheless a site of progressive trans resistance.

This is best noted in Bristolians’ role in pioneering transgender surgeries and medical care. A site that marks this history is Clouds Hill House, the home of practising GP, Dr George Foss.

Clouds Hill House, Bristol – photo: Hope Talbot

Foss prescribed hormones for Michael Dillon in 1939, a transgender man who later underwent gender affirmation surgeries at Bristol Royal Infirmary throughout the 1940s.

While Dillon faced discrimination from their own family, he found solace in doctors and surgeons in Bristol who affirmed his gender identity and supported his transition.

While the history of queer Bristolians is oftentimes filled with discrimination, there are nonetheless moments of queer joy and affirmation.

As pride celebrations approach this weekend, you’ll be able to find more information about Bristol Outstories at their stall in the community tent.

The organisation is also looking for new volunteers, so do approach them during pride, or contact them via www.outstoriesbristol.org.uk.

Main photo: University of Bristol

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