Most documentary films about our LGBTQ+ history focus on gay men, so it’s a refreshing change to come across one on the lesbian community.  Especially when it’s about an iconic London bar that was such a groundbreaking establishment that would inspire other lesbian bars to open around the globe.

The Gateways club situated in London’s King’s Road opened in 1931 when the Chelsea area was very bohemian. In 1936 it legally became a members club and was THE spot for lesbians for the next 50 years before closing in September 1985 . In those very early days, a visit to the Gateways for many women was the first introduction to lesbian life.

Now Jacquie Lawrence a Commissioning Editor at Channel 4, who was responsible for programming LGBT content such as Dyke TV, Queer Street, Gay Icons and the innovative Coming Out Night has made a new documentary on the iconic club

The result is a wonderfully fascinating short film that really goes a long way to demystify some of the club’s myths, and at the same time compose a history of the legendary club and the women who made it their home from home over the decades 

Narrated by Sandy Toksvig, GATEWAY GRINDS  was premiering this week at London’s BFI Flare film festival., and you can follow the film’s FB page to see where it will screen next