Friends of Dorothy Society
Encyclopedia
The Friends of Dorothy Society, (commonly abbreviated to 'fods'), is a bell ringing society for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered people, and their friends. The society is based in the United Kingdom
but has members throughout the world; particularly in the United States
of America and Australia
.
The Society takes its name from the euphemism Friend of Dorothy
, meaning gay
man.
that year.
A number of people responded to the notice and the bells of St. Martin in the Fields, Trafalgar Square
were rung for that year’s parade.
in October 1991. Since then, members of the society have toured many cities throughout the United Kingdom. The first international tour was held in May 2006 when members visited Washington DC.
and Brighton Pride
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
but has members throughout the world; particularly in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
of America and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
The Society takes its name from the euphemism Friend of Dorothy
Friend of Dorothy
In gay slang, a "friend of Dorothy" is a term for a gay man. The phrase dates back to at least World War II, when homosexual acts were illegal in the United States. Stating that, or asking if, someone was a "friend of Dorothy" was a euphemism used for discussing sexual orientation without others...
, meaning gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
man.
History
The society started following a notice placed in the Ringing World (a weekly publication for bell ringers) in May 1991. The notice aimed to assemble a band to ring for the London Pride FestivalPride London
Pride London is the name of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender registered charity which arranges LGBT events in London, most notably the annual gay pride parade which is held in June/July. The most recent Pride London was on 2 July 2011. The 2010 event was attended by 1 million people,...
that year.
A number of people responded to the notice and the bells of St. Martin in the Fields, Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is a public space and tourist attraction in central London, England, United Kingdom. At its centre is Nelson's Column, which is guarded by four lion statues at its base. There are a number of statues and sculptures in the square, with one plinth displaying changing pieces of...
were rung for that year’s parade.
Tours
The society holds a spring tour and an autumn tour each year. The first tour was to BristolBristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
in October 1991. Since then, members of the society have toured many cities throughout the United Kingdom. The first international tour was held in May 2006 when members visited Washington DC.
| Year | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 11-13 Oct | Bath & Bristol |
| 1992 | 28 Feb - 01 Mar | Manchester |
| 1992 | 20-22nd Nov | Brighton |
| 1993 | 26-28 Feb | Nottingham |
| 1994 | 25-27 Feb | London |
| 1994 | 28-30 Oct | Newcastle |
| 1995 | 27-29 Oct | Blackpool |
| 1996 | 24 Feb | Basingstoke |
| 1996 | 25-27 Oct | York |
| 1997 | 21-23 Feb | Manchester |
| 1997 | 25-26 Oct | Birmingham |
| 1998 | Oct | Gloucester |
| 1999 | Oct | Liverpool |
| 2000 | 26 Feb | Petersfield |
| 2000 | 27-29th Oct | Newcastle |
| 2001 | 2-4th Mar | Cardiff |
| 2001 | 19-21st Oct | Leeds |
| 2002 | 9-11th Feb | Northern Ireland |
| 2002 | 18-20th Oct | Birmingham |
| 2003 | 7-9th Feb | Southampton |
| 2003 | 17-19th Oct | York |
| 2004 | 27-29th Feb | Shrewsbury |
| 2004 | 15-17th Oct | Edinburgh |
| 2004 | 19-20th Nov | Leicester |
| 2005 | 4 - 6th Mar | Coventry |
| 2005 | 21-23rd Oct | Canterbury |
| 2006 | 10-12th Feb | Nottingham |
| 2006 | 25 May - 4th Jun | Washington DC, Philadelphia & New York |
| 2006 | 20-22nd Oct | Exeter |
| 2007 | 23-25th Feb | Manchester |
| 2007 | 26–28 May | Boston MA, USA |
| 2007 | 28-30th Sep | Oxford |
| 2008 | 22-24th Feb | Reading |
| 2008 | 16-19th Oct | Dublin |
| 2009 | 27 Feb-01 Mar | Bristol |
| 2009 | 25-27th Sep | Liverpool |
| 2010 | 19-21st Feb | Worcester |
| 2010 | 10-12th Sep | Cambridge |
| 2011 | 18-20th Feb | Leeds |
| 2011 | 14-16th Oct | London |
Today
The society’s membership is ever-increasing. Peals are rung several times each year. There are annual spring and autumn tours and the society rings for London PridePride London
Pride London is the name of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender registered charity which arranges LGBT events in London, most notably the annual gay pride parade which is held in June/July. The most recent Pride London was on 2 July 2011. The 2010 event was attended by 1 million people,...
and Brighton Pride
Brighton Pride
Brighton Pride is a registered charity from Brighton and Hove in England promoting equality and diversity, and advances education to eliminate discrimination against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community...
.