Kenric
Encyclopedia
Kenric was established in 1965 and is made up of a network of social groups for lesbians throughout the United Kingdom
. Members are of all ages, although mainly due to the long-running nature of the network it is most popular with women over 30 years old. It is often the only lesbian social outlet in areas where there is not much visible gay and lesbian presence.
Members of the network keep in touch via a national monthly magazine, as well as regional newsletters. The basic philosophy is that no lesbian
should feel isolated or alone, no matter where they are. The group now has over 1200 subscribers, located all over the country and overseas.
and an event in Eastbourne
to mark the end of the International Women's Open tennis tournament. These events are open to women who are both members and non-members.
in Chelsea
. The name 'Kenric' was formed from joining the regional names of Kensington
and Richmond, which is where the group was originally formed in 1965. Some of the early members were also members of the Minorities Research Group
(which published the magazine Arena Three (magazine)
, but were keen to move away from research into lesbianism and develop the more social aspects. A former member believes that a group calling themselves The Sisters of Kranzchen may have been forerunners of Kenric.
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...
. Members are of all ages, although mainly due to the long-running nature of the network it is most popular with women over 30 years old. It is often the only lesbian social outlet in areas where there is not much visible gay and lesbian presence.
Members
Throughout the country the local groups are managed by a network volunteers, who organise discos, club nights, walks, reading groups, golf tournaments, discussion groups and other such events to suit the locality. These women are from all walks of life, professions, ages and social backgrounds.Members of the network keep in touch via a national monthly magazine, as well as regional newsletters. The basic philosophy is that no lesbian
Lesbian
Lesbian is a term most widely used in the English language to describe sexual and romantic desire between females. The word may be used as a noun, to refer to women who identify themselves or who are characterized by others as having the primary attribute of female homosexuality, or as an...
should feel isolated or alone, no matter where they are. The group now has over 1200 subscribers, located all over the country and overseas.
Major events
Each year the organisation hosts major event that include a Christmas ball in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and an event in Eastbourne
Eastbourne
Eastbourne is a large town and borough in East Sussex, on the south coast of England between Brighton and Hastings. The town is situated at the eastern end of the chalk South Downs alongside the high cliff at Beachy Head...
to mark the end of the International Women's Open tennis tournament. These events are open to women who are both members and non-members.
History
Many of the early members of Kenric were members of the Gateways clubGateways club
The Gateways club was a noted lesbian nightclub located at 239 Kings Road on the corner of Bramerton Street, Chelsea, London, England. It was the longest-surviving such club in the world, opening in 1930 and legally becoming a "members club" in 1936...
in Chelsea
Chelsea, London
Chelsea is an area of West London, England, bounded to the south by the River Thames, where its frontage runs from Chelsea Bridge along the Chelsea Embankment, Cheyne Walk, Lots Road and Chelsea Harbour. Its eastern boundary was once defined by the River Westbourne, which is now in a pipe above...
. The name 'Kenric' was formed from joining the regional names of Kensington
Kensington
Kensington is a district of west and central London, England within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. An affluent and densely-populated area, its commercial heart is Kensington High Street, and it contains the well-known museum district of South Kensington.To the north, Kensington is...
and Richmond, which is where the group was originally formed in 1965. Some of the early members were also members of the Minorities Research Group
Minorities Research Group
The Minorities Research Group was the first organisation to openly advocate the interests of lesbians in the United Kingdom. It was founded by four women who got together in response to an article that was published in the magazine "Twentieth Century"...
(which published the magazine Arena Three (magazine)
Arena Three (magazine)
Arena Three was a British monthly publication founded by Esme Langley and Diana Chapman in 1963. It was written by and for homosexual women and published by the Minorities Research Group from 1963 to 1972.-See also:* in * Lesbian feminism...
, but were keen to move away from research into lesbianism and develop the more social aspects. A former member believes that a group calling themselves The Sisters of Kranzchen may have been forerunners of Kenric.