Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

When we had women-only spaces: A nostalgia thread

91 replies

EmpressLesbianInChair · 13/05/2019 20:47

I came out as lesbian in London in the late 90s.

I remember women-only discos, Cherries at the Minories & the mammoth Girls on Top in Hemel Hempstead.

I remember the Glass Bar by Euston station, a small brick women-only bar run by the amazing Elaine, with armchairs & sofas & board games & a lavishly decorated toilet, where there were comedy nights & music nights.

I remember Silver Moon Books, and the women’s discussion group at Gay’s the Word, and message boards and book clubs that were all female.

Anyone else?

OP posts:
Time40 · 13/05/2019 22:24

I remember The Glass Bar. It wasn't so long ago. What happened to it?

BeUpStanding · 13/05/2019 22:08

The Women's Monthly Events sound bloody awesome from what I've heard! We should bring them back.

BeUpStanding · 13/05/2019 22:05

Oh I remember the Glass Bar! Such a special place.

SpartacusAutisticusAHF · 13/05/2019 21:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
EmpressLesbianInChair · 13/05/2019 21:37

I went to a girls’ grammar, too. I loved it.

OP posts:
SpartacusAutisticusAHF · 13/05/2019 21:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Beholdtheflorist · 13/05/2019 21:29

I worked at the LLGC, London Womens Centre, the Drum, the Glass Bar and an assortment of pop ups, short lived and longer running spaces, both on the door and behind the bar. I don’t think there was a women only space I didn’t visit, work at or volunteer at from my coming out in the late 80s.

It’s a shame the bars and spaces don’t exist any more (although GTW is still there) but every single one of them failed for the same reason, women don’t spend money in the same way men do.

Oh and every single one of them was inclusive to trans women. Every single one.

SirVixofVixHall · 13/05/2019 21:27

Yes Hampstead Ladies Pond. Wonderful mix of women of all ages. So peaceful.
I also went to an all girls school with no male teachers until the last year.
I am in a women only book group , that is nice.

Original poster
EmpressLesbianInChair · 13/05/2019 21:26

I wish I’d been to Hampstead Heath Women’s Pond when it was guaranteed to be just women.

OP posts:
loveyouradvice · 13/05/2019 21:18

Hampstead Heath Ladies Pond - everyone just stripped off and relaxed when I was in my 20s ... so liberating

Angryresister · 13/05/2019 21:16

Gateways, Sols Arms, women's monthly events, A woman's place. We miss them all

Original poster
EmpressLesbianInChair · 13/05/2019 21:09

I remember the glass bar! It was like a secret hideaway, tucked away inside what looked like a war memorial.

Yes! And most people walked straight past it.

OP posts:
unlimiteddilutingjuice · 13/05/2019 21:08

I remember the glass bar! It was like a secret hideaway, tucked away inside what looked like a war memorial.

MenstruatorExtraordinaire · 13/05/2019 21:07

I went to an all girls school where I felt safe and supported. We didn't even have any male teachers. Loved it.

maslinpan · 13/05/2019 21:05

Women's group at Uni.

LassOfFyvie · 13/05/2019 21:03

Sorry, apart from the PE changing room at school and public toilets I've never been in any women only space.