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Lesbian activist Jackie Forster gets rainbow plaque

Glasgow Women's Library / Peter Grosspersky Jackie Forster, pictured in 1996 cupping her hands round her mouth Glasgow Women's Library / Peter Grosspersky
Jackie Forster was a "true trailblazer" according to Studio Voltaire, which runs the rainbow plaque scheme

London's latest "rainbow plaque" has been unveiled at the former home of actor, broadcaster and lesbian rights activist Jackie Forster.

Under the scheme, blue plaques bordered with rainbow stripes have been installed in several locations in the capital, to commemorate significant people, places or events in LGBTQIA+ history.

Forster publicly came out as a lesbian in 1969 and joined the Campaign for Homosexual Equality. She later co-founded the long-running lesbian social network and publication Sappho.

Arts organisation Studio Voltaire, which runs the plaque scheme, described Forster as a "true trailblazer who paved the way for LGBTQIA+ people through her pioneering work".

Following Sappho, Forster joined the Greater London Council's Women's Committee and became an active member of the Lesbian Archive and Information Centre Management Committee.

Joel Ryder Media A blue commemorative plaque with rainbow colours round itJoel Ryder Media
The plaque was installed on Forster's former home on Warwick Avenue on Wednesday

"Jackie spent the last half of her life working increasingly for LGBTQIA+ rights and visibility," said Anne Lacey, Forster's partner.

"From the day she 'came out' at Speakers' Corner in 1969, she fought for the celebration of the word 'lesbian.'"

The plaque was unveiled in front of her family, friends and fellow activists on Wednesday, at Forster's former home in Warwick Avenue, where she lived for 21 years until her death.

Sue Sanders, Founder of LGBT+ History Month said Forster was a "whirlwind and a massive champion for lesbian visibility".

"Importantly, Jackie ensured there was a weekly safe space at Sappho's Notting Hill meetings.

"Her kindness was legendary," she added.

Jenny Potter Jackie Forster looking at the camera Jenny Potter
Forster "fought for the celebration of the word 'lesbian'", according to her partner Anne Lacey

Forster was chosen for the commemoration through public nominations, with this being one of five new plaques being installed across London since 2023.

The initiative, supported by the Mayor of London, has already installed plaques for playwright Oscar Wilde (Clapham Junction Station), the film My Beautiful Laundrette (Vauxhall) and he Black and Lesbian Gay Centre (Peckham).

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