Some Men In London: Queer Life, 1960-1967

During the 1940s, there was a widespread belief that homosexuality was on the rise following the war, leading to a moral panic with London at its center as a hub for gay men. Peter Parker's intriguing compilation delves into the experiences of queer men in London during this era. It includes both notable personalities like Francis Bacon, Joe Orton, and Kenneth Williams, and those who lived in anonymity, sometimes quietly or with bursts of rowdiness, frequenting pubs, clubs, public meeting venues, or staying at home. The collection is rich with various materials, including letters, diaries, psychological texts, novels, films, plays, and police documents, showcasing diverse perspectives from those condemning homosexuality to advocates for its legalization. The second volume, covering 1960 to 1967, illustrates the gradual shift in British societal attitudes toward homosexuality, culminating in the 1967 Act that decriminalized private, consensual homosexual acts between adults. Although this legislation did not eliminate violence, discrimination, and prejudice, it alleviated official persecution. "Some Men in London" honors the vibrant, joyful queer subculture that sustained and enriched London during the 1960s, a decade that would have been significantly less vibrant without it.