Where was it?
Marble Arch to Greenwich Park, SE10, London, England
When was it?
Saturday July 25th 2009
What?
One same-sex hand hold crossed London from the busy heart of the capital to the leafy Greenwich suburbs, passing through London Bridge, and Canada Water and into South East London: New Cross, Deptford and beyond. At each stage a same-sex couple passed on the hand hold to another same-sex couple, like a relay!
Here are some highlights:
• Oxford Street: Andy and Geoff talk about what it means for older LGBT people
• Soho: We try desperately to find some same-sex hand holders on Old Compton St
• Southbank: Paul Burston and his partner Paulo fend off a homophobic wasp
• Canada Water: Elly and Annie go it alone
• Greenwich Park: The finish
Click here to examine the routes and for fascinating
video clips, photographs and testimonials from the participants.
Was it a success?
Geoff and Andy who started the relay at Marble Arch said,
“Overall we found the experience to be quite exhilarating in the fact that we didn’t have any negative reactions and for Geoff it was wonderful to hold the hand of the man he loves and has done for the last 19 years in public as any other couple would do.”
Jo and Kat who walked from New Cross to Deptford Bridge said
“Walking along New Cross Road I felt goosebumps wash over me at the sudden realisation that I was helping to make history, helping the change the way that society perceives two people of the same gender holding hands.”
Author Paul Burston who walked with his partner Paulo along the Southbank said,
“I believe very strongly that we should show affection in public. Straight people do it all the time, and if we're to achieve true equality in society as well as in law, we should behave no differently. Still I was concerned about the reaction we might get.”
Laura and Jenny who walked through Greenwich said,
"Our walk for A Day in Hand through Greenwich Park was a good experience and never once felt threatened or unsafe.”
For more great quotes go to the event page and click on one of the routes.
David and James who walked along New Cross Road were honked out by a guy in a car. We waved back and smiled. And why should we take this as a negative comment? In fact throughout our 6 hours hand holding relay across London, we heard 2 negative comments, 1 car horn, and got 1 dodgy look. That’s not bad, given the thousands of people we walked past that day.
Would you like to take part in a same-sex hand holding relay in your area? Email info@adayinhand.com
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