Who we are

Hockley has a rich heritage when it comes to the gay rights movement in Nottinghamshire. 

Back in the early 90s, it was home to Mushroom Bookshop, which was the only place in the city to openly sell Gay Times magazine. On 15 January 1994, the store was attacked by a group of fascists who damaged equipment, wrecked the bookshelves and injured two people who were in there at the time. 30 people were later arrested by the police. 

Mushroom Bookshop had been a longtime supporter of the LGBTQ+ community and received many messages of support from as far as Canada and New Zealand. 

Following the attack, members of the community joined together with local politicians and Trade Unionists to hold a demonstration called Nottingham United Against Racism and Fascism. Here, speeches were delivered by numerous LGBTQ+ speakers and a march took place through the city. This was one of the first predominantly LGBTQ+ protests held in Nottingham, and it echoes the spirit of Pride marches of today. 

Throughout the 90s and beyond, Hockley has always been a focal point for Nottinghamshire’s LGBTQ+ community. In 1991, the Health Shop opened on Broad Street to offer sexual health advice to gay men, while in 1994 Sir Ian McKellen visited Broadway Cinema to launch The GAI Project – a gay and bisexual men’s HIV prevention initiative in Nottingham. Three years earlier, Broadway Cinema also hosted the launch of the Captain’s Fund for people living with HIV and AIDS in Nottinghamshire, which was attended by over 400 people. 

In more recent years, Hockley continues to provide a safe space for LGBTQ+ people, with the Broadway Cinema regularly showing independent LGBTQ+ films and hosting community groups, as well as Broad Street itself becoming home to the first permanent Rainbow Road crossings in the region. 

Hockley has established itself as a beacon of celebration, acceptance, love and expression for Nottinghamshire’s LGBTQ+ community and, for us, there is no better home for Notts Pride.