The green door in Chelsea leads to the Gateway Club, a pivotal lesbian venue that evolved from a bohemian drinking club established around 1931. The club became a safe haven during an era of public stigma against same-sex relationships. Under Ted Ware and later Gina, the club fostered a diverse clientele, welcoming artists and individuals from various minority backgrounds. It was frequented by celebrities and remained crucial for over five decades. The Gateways finally closed on September 23, 1985, amid changing social attitudes and local gentrification.
The Gateways Club in Chelsea holds a profoundly significant place in British LGBTQ+ history and the site remains an important one in the wider history of the capital.
The door into the Gateway Club offered a promise of sanctuary and community when public acceptance for same-sex relationships was rare and legal protections non-existent.
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