LAIC Timeline: The 1960s

1966: Arena 3

Years before the Sexual Offences Act (1967), which made sexual acts between men over the age of 21 legal, lesbian and bi women were taking advantage of their invisibility in the eyes of the law to publish the first British magazine to address the needs and interests of gay and bi women.

Esme Langley was the powerhouse behind the Minority Research Group and accepted sole responsibility for publishing the magazine so that accusations of a "Lesbian Conspiracy" could not be made. 'Arena 3's nine year run ended in March 1972 and the Archive has several years' worth of both copies and originals.

Cover of 'Arena 3', February 1966.
Click on the image to download a full, printable PDF version.