Choosing to Cruise – 300 Years On

A collaboration with Queers Tours of London on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the trial of William Brown.

Meeting point: Martha Smith Memorial Fountain, south-east corner Finsbury Square EC2A (tube: Moorgate)

11 July 2026 is the 300th anniversary of the trial of William Brown, who was entrapped whilst cruising, and found guilty of ‘assault with sodomitical intent’ at the Old Bailey. This collaborative event with Queer Tours of London includes a site-specific workshop at Finsbury Square, before returning to The London Archives to unpack some queer case studies from the Londoners on Trial exhibition.

Morning – 11:00-12:00 A site-specific talk and workshop, exploring the forgotten history of Moorfields and Finsbury Fields as a prime cruising site, and hub for Molly Houses; centred on the entrapment of ‘Molly’ William Brown on the ‘Sodomites Walk’. The workshop will include performances (with an original-ish song or two!), a talk, some gentle audience participation, and a moment’s reflection to consider the queer lives lost, ruined, and otherwise constrained by homophobic British state violence.

Dani Dinger and Dan de la Motte Dani and Dan have worked together for 10 years as founding members of the ‘Queer Tours of London’ collective. During that time, they have researched, written and delivered countless workshops and tours, covering areas including The Old City, London Bridge, The West End, Dalston, Bloomsbury, Wapping, and beyond. They have ongoing relationships with organizations including The Bishopsgate Institute, Team London Bridge, The London Centre, and Hackney Council. www.danidinger.com @dandelamotte

Afternoon – 13:00-14:30 Returning to the London Archives, we will unpack some queer case studies from the Londoners on Trial exhibition, and others from the archives. There will be further discussion of the legacy of homophobic British legislation, and its lasting impact today, both in the UK and globally.

Presenters

Dani Dinger and Dan de la Motte Dani and Dan have worked together for 10 years as founding members of the ‘Queer Tours of London’ collective. During that time, they have researched, written and delivered countless workshops and tours, covering areas including The Old City, London Bridge, The West End, Dalston, Bloomsbury, Wapping, and beyond. They have ongoing relationships with organizations including The Bishopsgate Institute, Team London Bridge, The London Centre, and Hackney Council. www.danidinger.com @dandelamotte