A landmark event took place in London — the opening of the first dedicated cinema aimed at LGBTQ+ audiences. This cultural space was created to support diversity and inclusivity, giving viewers the opportunity to enjoy films that reflect the unique stories and experiences of the LGBTQ+ community. The new cinema is designed to be a safe place to discuss important topics, exchange ideas and form strong connections within the community.
New LGBTQ+ Cultural Hub: Arzner Cinema Opens in London
Official planning permission has been granted for a cinema that many believe will be London’s first dedicated LGBTQ+ cultural space. The cinema has been named the Arzner, after Dorothy Arzner, a pioneering lesbian filmmaker who made history as the first woman to make a sound film in Hollywood more than a century ago.
Simon Burke and Piers Greenlees are planning to open a new cinema and cocktail bar in the former independent cinema Kino Bermondsey by the end of the year. Mr Burke told a meeting of the Southwark Licensing Board that the new venue would offer arthouse and independent films, creating a unique cultural space for those who enjoy quirky cinema.
The Arznar cinema in Bermondsey Square will have a single screen with a capacity of 50 people, and with a bar, the total capacity will reach 150. The building was previously occupied by the Bermondsey Cinema, which was forced to close in January 2023 due to rent arrears that had accumulated over the past 18 months.
In autumn 2023, plans were considered to convert the cinema into a shop, restaurant or fitness studio, but these were withdrawn after Southwark Borough Council expressed doubts about their success. In April that year, Mr Burke and his business partner launched the borough’s first LGBTQ+ pub, The Rising SE1.
During the meeting, he noted: “We are currently the only LGBTQ+ pub in SE1 and, as far as we know, this will be the first and only LGBTQ+ cinema in the whole of London. This licence will give us the opportunity to create a safe space for everyone, especially in one of the most densely populated areas of the country with a large LGBTQ+ community.”
Mr Burke said the cinema would double the number of LGBTQ+ venues in the area. The licensing committee has approved the opening hours of the new cinema and bar, which will be open until 11pm from Sunday to Wednesday and until midnight from Thursday to Saturday.
LGBT Cinema Cultural Centers: Which Countries Have Specialized Cinemas?
LGBT-friendly cinemas exist in several countries around the world, creating safe and inclusive spaces to screen films that reflect a diversity of sexual orientations and gender identities.
In the US, such cinemas can be found in major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, where LGBT culture has long-standing roots. Germany, particularly Berlin, also boasts cinemas that support the LGBT community, as does Spain, where Barcelona and Madrid are actively developing such cultural spaces.
In France, Paris is known for its openness and its many film festivals dedicated to LGBT films. Argentina, a country with progressive LGBT rights laws, also has cinemas that focus on inclusive screenings.
