Jackie Forster, one of Britain’s most fearless lesbian activists, will be honored with a rainbow plaque in London, ensuring her contributions to LGBTQ rights are never forgotten. A woman of many talents, Forster was an actress before stepping into journalism, where she played a pivotal role in amplifying lesbian voices. In the 1960s, she became involved with the Minorities Research Group and was a writer for Arena Three, the UK’s first lesbian publication. She later founded Sappho, a magazine and social network that provided community for lesbians long before the internet made connection easy.
Forster’s activism didn’t stop at the written word. She took to the streets, joining the first-ever London Pride march in 1971 and advocating for LGBTQ rights through the Campaign for Homosexual Equality. She was also instrumental in preserving LGBTQ history, working with the Lesbian Archive and co-founding Daytime Dykes, a space for lesbians to gather and support one another. Her unwavering dedication to the cause often came at a personal cost, but her work laid the foundation for many of the rights LGBTQ individuals have today.
Despite her immense contributions, Forster’s activism remained largely unrecognized by mainstream institutions during her lifetime. As writer and academic Gillian Hanscombe noted, “If she had served any cause other than lesbian rights, she’d have been festooned with honors.” Now, with this plaque in Warwick Avenue, the city of London is acknowledging her place in history. Mayor Sadiq Khan praised the initiative, emphasizing the importance of celebrating LGBTQ figures who helped shape the city’s identity.
Forster’s partner, Anne Lacey, described the plaque as a “fitting tribute to a wonderful woman” who devoted decades to fighting for lesbian visibility. “From the day she came out at Speakers’ Corner in 1969, she made it her mission to make the word ‘lesbian’ something to be celebrated,” Lacey recalled. Her recognition is not just a historical marker but a reminder of the ongoing struggle for visibility and rights.
As cities across the world continue to erase queer spaces and histories, honoring figures like Jackie Forster becomes even more essential. The rainbow plaque is more than just a tribute—it is a symbol of resilience, visibility, and the ongoing fight for LGBTQ equality.