My project is a celebration of queer spaces, with a particular focus on Tonic, the UK's first community-led non-profit LGBTQIA+ affirmative retirement housing project located in Vauxhall. In today's world, where housing for LGBTQIA+ elders is becoming increasingly unsafe, Tonic stands out as a tribute to a vibrant, affirmative, and celebratory environment.
Through conversations with residents who kindly let me into their homes, the book presents the many amazing stories and experiences of the people who make Tonic the place it is.
My work aims to delve deeper into why this space is so sacred and to explore what the pioneering project means for future retirement housing initiatives. Tonic was created to address the community's unmet needs in the most authentic way possible. As CEO Anna Kear puts it, Tonic is "a home for the rest of your life," where stereotypes are shattered and the community thrives.
By working with contributors to convey their experiences at Tonic, I hope to showcase the warmth and sense of family that Tonic and its residents have built. In 2020, 64% of older LGBTQIA+ Londoners with a disability or health issue reported that their housing did not meet their needs. Tonic has taken the issue of LGBTQIA+ people being overlooked in conversations about housing needs into their own hands.
"I've dreamed of a place like this" pays homage to the care, love, and drive that has gone into creating this space. Ultimately, my project is the first of many that seek to explore innovative and revolutionary housing options in the city of London. Change starts at home.
Please get in contact if you would like to purchase a copy of the handmade book.
