“Queering” Soho: Contesting the borders of normative space in the neoliberal city

In the context of the recent “black lives matter” and “me too” movements, the issue of inclusivity and diversity, identity, gender, race, “otherness”, is brought forth in many disciplines, architecture, academia, teaching and design practices. Although this is, of course, a positive progress, one needs to be mindful of the complexities and the potentially conflictual effects of a normalisation, especially if this dismisses or disallows space for further processes of disruption, or if this commodifies queer space, objectifies the other, and hence distances it further. In this context, this study reflects on the relationship between place, bodies, contested norms and social conventions, focusing on Soho, London as a case study, and on the associated evolution of queer spaces and narratives. It reflects upon the complex and shifting relationship between the visible/norm and the peripheral/deviant/hidden territories and their performative nature in the city.