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[title]1. London is arguably Europe's unofficial gay capital
London's LGBTQ+ community is probably more extensive than you realise. The capital is widely acknowledged to have the largest gay population in Europe and a 2015 survey by the Office for National Statistics found that Londoners are nearly twice as likely to identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual than people living in most other UK regions.
2. London embraces its LGBTQ+ community
London's gay community is also especially well integrated. According to a 2014 YouGov survey, Londoners know an average of 8.5 gay men and 3.6 gay women. Though the second figure is surprisingly low in comparison to the first, both numbers are comfortably above the national average.
3. London's LGBTQ+ scene isn’t focused on one location
Increased acceptance coupled with rising rents and the growing popularity of dating apps has caused a number of London's most famous gay bars to shut down. But the capital still has a diverse scene that varies in vibe according to location. Whereas many Soho drinking dens are young and buzzy, south London venues like the Royal Vauxhall Tavern (RVT) tend to attract an older and more relaxed clientele. As you'd expect, east London hang-outs like The Glory are generally the city’s edgiest.
4. London’s LGBTQ+ scene doesn’t require deep pockets
Londoners love to bitch about G-A-Y, which runs two separate Soho bars and several weekly club nights at Heaven, a huge cavernous venue under Charing Cross station. But there's something comforting about this London institution's continued popularity. G-A-Y is always there if you need it, serving £1.70 drinks from Monday to Thursday to someone even drunker than you, right before he slut-drops to a Nicki Minaj song.
5. London's LGBTQ+ scene is more diverse than you realise
London also has an LGBTQ+ club night to suit just about every taste. Hard Cock Life drops hip hop beats for homos, Pink Glove spins indie tunes for gays who prefer Morrissey to Madonna, and Bombshell is a Wednesday evening treat for drag queens, trans people and their allies and admirers.
Because London's LGBTQ+ scene is so well-established and welcoming, it's been known to attract some unlikely punters. Judi Dench has spent a night in Heaven, Princess Di is rumoured to have visited the RVT dressed as a man in the '80s, and Helen Mirren showed her face at a gay pride event in 2013 to apologise for shouting at rowdy Soho drinkers who'd disturbed her while she was performing at the theatre across the street. No sign of Maggie Smith at Molly Moggs yet, though.
6. There’s an LGBTQ+ group for everyone in London
But London's LGBTQ+ scene isn't all about drinking and dancing. The capital has countless queer sports teams, book groups, dining societies, business networks, coffee clubs and choirs. A quick Google search also reveals more unusual social gatherings ranging from 'Gay and Bisexual Men's Mindfulness Meditation Group in London' to 'London Dog and Dyke Walks'. Basically you should be able to find your tribe somewhere in London.
7. London’s LGBTQ+ support network deserves more credit
London is also supported by some brilliant LGBT charities. London Friend has been providing counselling to LGBT people since 1972, Metro is an equality and diversity charity focused on the capital and surrounding areas, and East London’s ELOP offers a range of holistic support services to local gays and lesbians. LGBT rights charity Stonewall and GMFA, the gay men's health charity, are based in London too.
8. London is home to some LGBTQ+-focused hidden gems
London is home to some valuable LGBTQ+ amenities too. Outlet is a gay real estate agent, Prowler and Clonezone sell sex toys and fetish gear in Soho, and Open Barbers and Barberette are pioneering queer and trans-friendly hairdressing salons. The UK's only gay and lesbian bookshop, Gay’s the Word in Bloomsbury, celebrated its thirty-seventh birthday earlier this year.
9. Londoners are stronger when we stand together
Though London is a great place to be gay, we shouldn't get complacent. 'It's important to remember the specific challenges that people who represent different parts of the community might face,' Matt Horwood of Stonewall tells Time Out. 'Dual discrimination is the reality for many LGBTQ+ folk, who are often victims of discrimination from within our own community. It’s vital that we continue to stand by the side of every single lesbian, gay, bi and trans person, whether you yourself are LGBTQ+ or not, so that London can continue to shine as the global beacon of equality that we know it is.' Amen to that.