‘Queering’ Soho: Contesting the borders of normative space in the neoliberal city

Abstract

In the context of the recent ‘black lives matter’ and ‘me too’movements, the issue of inclusivity and diversity, identity, gender, race,‘otherness’, is brought forth in many disciplines, architecture, academia, teachingand design practices. Although this is, of course, a positive progress, oneneeds to be mindful of the complexities and the potentially conflictual effectsof a normalisation, especially if this dismisses or disallows space for furtherprocesses of disruption, or if this commodifies queer space, objectifies theother, and hence distances it further. In this context, this study reflects onthe relationship between place, bodies, contested norms and social conventions,focusing on Soho, London as a case study, and on the associated evolution ofqueer spaces and narratives.