Deep Divers
Duckie are creating a new queer history project
It's called Take Courage and it's about Queer Vauxhall in the 70s, 80s & 90s - and we want to invite YOU to be part of it
120 people have signed up as Deep Divers: forming 13 volunteer gangs of queer history researchers and reporters, based on the 13 themes
The jobs are to do some research, come on trips to some archives, interview gay old timers, present a 'show and tell' from each of the Deep Dives at each of the London Queer History Clubs and develop some historical editorial for our vintage scene zine
Take Courage runs for a year - from July 2026 to July 2027. It is a programme of 13 Deep Dives, 14 London Queer History Clubs, a Scene Zine and ends with a big specacle at the new London Museum in Smithfield Meat Market
All 13 Deep Dives are Free
Deep Dive 1 Boozers:
Sunday 19 July, 12noon
Meet on the patch of grass behind the Royal Vauxhall Tavern 372 Kennington Lane, SE11 (Dont meet at Starbucks, call 07930 395 188 if lost)
BOOK HERE
A walking tour of Vauxhall to see the sites of the old pubs and the heights of the new flats, ending with a picnic in Vauxhall Park with historian Magnus Coops. Bring food or ponce some of ours
Deep Dive 2 Cruisers:
Sunday 6 September, 12noon
Near Highgate Men's Bathing Pond, Hampstead Heath, N6 6JH
BOOK HERE
A Perverts Picnic on Hampstead Heath, with erotic readings, followed by a swim in the men’s and women’s pond for trans and cis folks. Bring a blanket, picnic food, swimmers and a towel, hosted by EJ Scott
Deep Dive 3 Hustlers:
A Saturday in October (TBC), 12noon
Cross Bones Graveyard, Union Street, SE1 1TA
Paying homage to London's history of sex workers. Readings, prayers and meditatons at Crossbones Graveyard in Southwark, hosted by Masc Peach
Deep Dive 4 Haters:
Saturday 24 October, 12noon
The Feminist Library, 161 Sumner Road, Peckham, London, SE15 6JL
BOOK HERE
A trip for femmes, thems and egalitarian men to investigate if a photocopier, a stapler and a good political idea really can change the world, hosted by EJ Scott
Deep Dive 5 Gaypers:
Wednesday 18 November, 2pm
Bishopsgate Institute, 230 Bishopsgate, EC2M 4QH
BOOK HERE
Raid the Bishopsgate Institute to look at the London free gay and lesbian press of the 1980s and 1990s - Capital Gay, The Pink Paper, QX, Boyz - armed with a worksheet to gather evidence for our Scene Zine, hosted by EJ Scott
Deep Dive 6 Groovers:
Friday 8 January TBC, Time TBC
V&A East Storehouse, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Parkes Street, E20 3AX
In the late 20th century, all the big designers were big benders: Armani, Versace, John Paul Gaultier, Calvin Klein ... and everyone else. Promenade around V&A East Storehouse in early December with vintage fashion casuality EJ Scott to uncover some classic 1970s and 1980s lewks from their collection
Deep Dive 7 Survivors:
Wednesday 10 February, 2pm
Prints & Drawings Study Room, Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL
BOOK HERE
The radical 1996 V&A exhibition 'Graphic Responses to AIDS' displayed over 100 HIV posters from all over the world. Curator Zorian Clayton is going to get 'em out tell us how design defined activism, public health and the world's response to AIDS
Deep Dive 8 Transcestors:
Wednesday 24 February, 2pm
Bishopsgate Institute, 230 Bishopsgate, EC2M 4QH
BOOK HERE
When will we reclaim the "t-word"? What's the difference between being fetishised and desired? Is trans sex unsafe? We’ll find the answers between the broadsheets and in the brown paper bags stuffed full of Tran** Porn. Hosted by the daredevil E-J Scott until he’s cancelled for speaking truth to trans power
Deep Dive 9 Dead Dragsters:
Sunday 21 March 12noon OR 3pm
Duckie HQ, Ground Floor, 9 Clitheroe Road, SW9 9DY
BOOK HERE
Two home shown screenings of surviving old drag videos from the pubs in the 70s, 80s and 90s - the RVT, Black Cap, the Union Tavern, the Elephant & Castle - in the living room at Duckie HQ in Stockwell curated by archivist Tim Brunsden from Playback. Free popcorn
Deep Dive 10 Diaspora Disco-verers:
Sunday 4 April 2027, 3pm
Duckie HQ, Ground Floor, 9 Clitheroe Road, SW9 9DY
BOOK HERE
Come Dine With Me, Takeaway Version with Rita & DJ Ritu from Club Kali
Deep Dive 11 The Chuch Children:
Saturday 10 April 2027, 2pm
The London Archives, 40 Northampton Road, EC2R 0HB
BOOK HERE
An introduction to The rukus! Federation archive, the largest cultural and historical archive of Black LGBTQ+ people in Britain at the London Metropolitan Archives in the City led by Topher Campbell. This session will research evidence of the London club scene, particularly in Vauxhall and Brixton
Deep Dive 12 Love Ninjas:
Date TBC, Time TBC
Venue TBC
This event is TBC
Deep Dive 13 Legendary Lezzas:
Online May 2027 TBC
We are hoping to have a conversation with legendary photographer Del lagrace Volcano, talking about their work in 1990s lesbian London, hosted by EJ Scott
