LOVE CONQUERS CLUBLAND is a social history archive project with the purpose of celebrating the untold stories of one Leeds clubbing community, told through the people who came to SPEEDQUEEN and its predecessor club nights THE KIT KAT CLUB and the legendary VAGUE.

These were places for you to feel safe, have fun, explore your identity, your sexuality, dress up, grow up, learn from people with different life experiences, make friends, fall in love, lose yourself on the dance floor, and live your best life!

These clubs were set up to challenge the status quo, break down barriers and confront the homophobia, sexism, racism and ageism in clubland at the time, creating  the first purpose built mixed safe spaces in Leeds and long lasting supportive communities.

There are many fabulous photographs from this time but they don’t tell the story of people’s experiences, feelings and emotions. So if you were there please get in touch. We are inviting everyone who would like to share their stories, memories, photographs, favourite records, fashion, flyers, ephemera – anything at all from your full life story to your favourite track will be of value to this project. You will be able to do this in any way you want. This way we can build the most comprehensive and authentic archive of one of the most incredible times.

Even if some areas of people’s lives are better now and there are some more inclusive laws, there are still people here and all over the world whose lives are subjected to prejudice, intolerance and fear, and so this also a call to action. In a climate of so much misunderstanding and polarised opinions maybe just maybe our stories and experiences can be a source of understanding, support and inspiration to people who deserve the freedom to be who they are.