Out with Dr. Bill – National Coming Out Day & London's Vibrant LGBTQ+

A Reunion at The Rising: Sharing Stories and Community in London's SE1

On my first night off, Eric and I had the pleasure of catching up with Mark Power, who's worked in the British government, and Adam Lucas and his partner David Yardley, both of whom have served in the Australian government – three remarkable public servants – and former housemates in our Fire Island house in the Pines.

After my day's commitments, I met up with the boys at The Rising, SE1's only queer-focused pub, tucked away in Elephant & Castle. The Rising, with its warm, inclusive, and rich history dating back to 1936, felt like the perfect place to unwind after the conference. Over a pint – my first, as the guys had already been there an hour – we shared stories, caught up on life, and appreciated the significance of gathering in a space dedicated to community, diversity, and openness.

For those not familiar, SE1 is a postal code district in London that covers areas like Southwark, Bermondsey, and parts of Elephant & Castle and London Bridge.

From Trafalgar Square to Belgravia: A Night of Art, Friendship, and LGBTQ+ Celebration

On day two of our trip, after wrapping up my conference obligations, we started the evening with a pint at Halfway to Heaven, a cozy LGBTQ+ pub near Trafalgar Square. The bar gets its name from its location, as it's literally "halfway" between Trafalgar Square and the iconic Heaven nightclub – one of London's most famous LGBTQ+ venues. It's a clever nod to its proximity to Heaven and its ties to the city's vibrant nightlife. The place was buzzing with energy, and its central spot made it the perfect meeting point for us and our friend Eric Copper, a former Austin native now living in London.

After our lagers, we made our way to SHOWstudio in Belgravia for the VIP preview of the Tom of Finland Art & Culture Festival 2024. SHOWstudio, founded by Nick Knight, is a renowned fashion and art platform with a dynamic, multi-level space. Since we arrived early, we had the chance to explore the exhibits before the crowds poured in – and trust me, they certainly did! This year marked the 40th anniversary of the festival, bringing together artists, collectors, and galleries from around the world. Sponsored by Diesel, it's the world's largest erotic art fair, and the London edition transformed SHOWstudio into a vibrant hub of creativity. The evening was a perfect blend of art, connection, and chance reunions – a reminder of how small and interconnected the art world can be.

While exploring the basement level, I bumped into my friend Lukasz Leja, whose raw, sexually charged art is now part of the Tom of Finland Foundation's permanent collection. I had just covered his show this summer at EDGE, where I featured his "Home is Where Hard Is" exhibit at Brooklyn's Naruki Art Dojo.

Lukasz, who won the grand prize at the Tom of Finland Emerging Artist Competition in 2022, is now a permanent part of the TOFF family. Congratulations Lukasz!

A highlight of the evening was witnessing Holly Johnson, musician and writer from Frankie Goes to Hollywood, being inducted into the Artist Hall of Fame for his contributions to art and culture. His heartfelt reaction was truly moving.

It was also wonderful to reconnect with Durk Dehner, president of the Tom of Finland Foundation, and Richard Villani, its creative director.

Those of you who read my column might remember Richard from the panel I moderated with him earlier this year at Aspen Gay Ski Week (AGSW). Sponsored by AspenOUT and AGSW, we were joined by Kevin Jennings (CEO of Lambda Legal) and Joe Nucci (Psychotherapist and influencer) to discuss LGBTQ+ history, intersectionality, and mental health.

That conversation was a powerful reminder of the progress we've made and the critical work still ahead in our community. The panel drew a huge crowd and was a great success. I look forward to supporting AGSW next year as they expand their programming.

Perfect London Send-Off: Rupert Street Bar, Heidiliscious, and Soho House

On our last day in London, Saturday night, we decided to visit one of our favorite after-work spots, Rupert Street Bar, a trendy gem in the heart of Soho where we often ended up at the start of weekend nights. The bar's amazing floor-to-ceiling windows offer a perfect view of the vibrant street life, and many of us, myself included, took our pints outside to soak in the electric city energy.

To make the night even better, my favorite DJ, Heidiliscious, was spinning. She's an absolute icon – a self-proclaimed "showgirl" and "atmosphere provider," known for her energetic pop remixes and mash-ups. Heidiliscious regularly performs at the bar's Sweet event on Saturday nights, where she brings her unique style to the LGBTQ+ crowd, making her a beloved fixture in the local scene.

Beyond her talent, Heidi is an inspiration, having recently celebrated eight years of sobriety, which has made her a true role model in the community. She truly embodies living life fully, in every sense. It was the perfect way to end our time in London.

We finished the evening with a stop at Greek Street Soho House for one last drink. Even though we were leaving London the next morning, I was determined to have their signature cocktail, the Eastern Standard – a refreshing mix of cucumber, mint, lime juice, and vodka (though some prefer gin – not me!). I've always had a special fondness for the London Houses, since the Soho House brand got its start here, and even after two decades as a member, I'm still amazed by the unique character and variety each House offers around the world.

The next morning, we headed to Paris – but I'll save that for my next column. Stay tuned!