Soho is so...Trendy!
Located in centre of London, Soho is rapidly becoming London's most trendy hotspot.
London's Soho neighbourhood is renowned for its relationship with the sex industry. During the twentieth century, prostitutes lined Soho's streets and worked in the hundreds of strip clubs that were located in the vicinity. As the government clamped down on prostitution and decided to clean up London's streets, Soho eventually cleansed itself of its sleazy reputation and began establishing itself as a hubbub of entertainment, commerce and culture. Soho's trendy new look and feel fit hand in hand with the unstoppable gay community in London and has now secured itself as the official home of London's LGBT population.
Whilst many gay people in London have faced discrimination and numerous accounts of hate-crime, Soho is viewed as a liberal, open-minded London neighbourhood in which its residents, locals and tourists can feel safe and comfortable. A walk through Soho is testament to its tolerant nature; gay couples are plentiful and there are so many rainbow flags standing proud against the vintage Victorian architecture that you may think you're at a Benetton sale.
It's final then, Soho is officially the trendiest part of London. However, London's gay population is weary of Soho's attractive nature, finding themselves surrounded by the straight community. This “invasion” has stirred up the gay community who believe they have fought so hard over the past decades to secure a home within London only for it to be taken away from them by the very demographic that shunned them for so long. Whilst tensions brew, it certainly is not stopping the gay community in London from expressing their sexuality as proved in London's latest pride parade.
Taking place on Saturday 5th July 2008, this year's pride parade attracted an estimated 825,000 people from all over the world. With a theme consisting of ‘Fairytales, Myths & Legends', the streets were packed with happy campers dressed in everything from white-washed angels to high-heeled vampires. A good time was certainly had by all!
If you're looking to visit Soho in London, there is always something going on. Check out London Gay Man's events guide to get the lo-down on what's hot and what's not in Soho at the time of your visit. Our accommodation listings provide gay friendly hotels and apartments for you to choose from at great prices. As with everything in London, it is best to book in advance to avoid disappointment.