Footprints of LGBTQIA+ Humans in Stratford Pilot Project — Completed 2024

This is where it all began.

In 2024, Cameye Arts created this pilot project for Newham Heritage Month – peeling back the layers of Stratford’s hidden queer history through filmed conversations, walking tours, and a living archive of photographs, flyers, posters, and personal memories spanning the 1960s to today.

Five long-term community members shared their stories. Four activist groups were documented for the first time. A queer walking tour of Stratford was co-led by residents who knew the borough from the inside.

The approach was simple and radical: no set questions. Just deep listening, genuine curiosity, and trust.

It worked. So we went bigger.

This pilot directly led to Footprints of Love – a major NLHF-funded project now building Newham’s first permanent LGBTQ+ archive.

→ Explore the pilot archive at Newham Heritage Month

→ See what came next at footprintsoflove.uk

Funded by: Newham Heritage Month · National Lottery Heritage Fund · Newham Council

Community partners: Newham LGBT Seniors · CAYA @ Stratford Youth Zone

Archival research: Bishopsgate Institute · Newham Archive