Station adoption is part of the growing community rail movement, which sees local groups volunteer to take more active roles in their stations, helping them to better reflect and serve the community.
Vauxhall is one of London’s busiest stations, with over 13 million entries and exits annually, and is the first major station in the UK adopted by an LGBT+ group.
The area is well known for its strong links to the LGBT+ community. Almost one in ten residents identify as LGBT+ and South London’s oldest gay venue, the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, is among the many destinations just moments from the station.
A 2023 report by London TravelWatch on the experiences of LGBT+ people travelling in the capital revealed that 82 per cent change their behaviour or appearance to avoid abuse.
It also found that one in five experienced hate crimes on the transport network in the past year, echoing a survey by LGBT HERO in Lambeth, with 84 per cent not reporting the incidents.
Cllr Rezina Chowdhury, Lambeth Council’s Deputy Leader (Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air), said: “We are proud that Vauxhall is the first major station in the country to be adopted by an LGBT+ group. Lambeth has the biggest LGBT+ population in London and Vauxhall is a historic home and cultural destination for this community.
“In 2023, we supported LGBT Hero to accredit 11 Vauxhall businesses as allies to LGBT+ people through the Vauxhall Night Time Enterprise Zone programme, and it is fantastic to see this legacy growing.
“The partnership between LGBT Hero and South Western Rail shows that LGBT+ communities are celebrated in Lambeth and we’re working together for positive change.”
South Western Railway is also joining the Lambeth Allies Programme, a coalition of organisations committed to improving the lives of LGBT+ people in Lambeth, developed by LGBT HERO and Lambeth Council.
