The Wandsworth LGBTQ+ Forum are working to raise £1200 to establish a Rainbow Plaque dedicated to Oscar Wilde at Clapham Junction Station.

In 1895 Wilde was subjected to horrific homophobic abuse from members of the public whist on the centre platform. He was being transferred from Wandsworth to Reading Gaol following his trial for “gross indecency with men”. This spectacle was deeply humiliating for Wilde, and affected him dramatically for years to come as written about in his letter 'De Profundis' and recently portrayed in the 2018 Rupert Everett Movie 'The Happy Prince'.

As a forum we want the plaque to mark a key moment in London’s LGBTQ+ History. It's also a reminder in 2019 of how homophobia is not tolerated at Clapham Junction station or in Wandsworth.

The funds raised will support the design, production and installation of the plaque, as well as a series of free educational and community events in 2019.

The Rainbow Plaque is a new scheme that was established by York Civic Trust with York LGBT Forum last year as a way to identify people and moments of Queer History. The Picture of their plaque for Anne Lister is pictured below.

We are working with Clapham–based not-for-profit arts institution Studio Voltaire to realise this project, with the full support of Network Rail.

The campaign coincides with the exhibition The Oscar Wilde Temple at Studio Voltaire by artists McDermott & McGough. This immersive work of art and secular space honours Wilde as one of the earliest forebears of gay liberation, whilst commemorating contemporary LGBTQ+ martyrs and those lost to the AIDS crisis.

Thank you for reading and hope you can support our cause!

David Robson, Chair of Wandsworth LGBTQ+ Forum

Wandsworthlgbt@hotmail.co.uk