This Is My Culture (TIMC), named in reference to a comment made by the pop star to a press photographer, had its ninth outing in June. Described as an event “that exists to empower everyone Queer needing sexual freedom”, it is unauthorised and was this year attended by Corporation officers and the Met Police.
A report by the City of London, which manages the Heath as a registered charity, claims the party resulted in “significant health and safety risks” and that officers experienced verbal abuse with litter left behind.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) approached TIMC but due to the group seeking legal advice it could not comment.
The first TIMC event was held in 2017 as a celebration of Mr Michael following his death the previous year. According to an Instagram post this year’s theme was ‘revolutionary love’, with reference to Mr Michael in 1992 singing Queen’s ‘Somebody to Love’, “a song calling for divine intervention in tough times and never accepting defeat”.
A number of demands were listed in the post, namely that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer funds “healthcare not warfare” and reinstates the UK HIV and AID budget, that Sir Sadiq Khan ‘adequately’ funds London’s HIV services, and that the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) reverses its single-sex toilet policy.
No date or location were detailed, with those interested in attending urged to “ask your trusted friends and lovers if they know about when and where our party takes place”.
The Corporation’s report, due to go to the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood, and Queen’s Park Committee next week, notes officers learned of the date in March and worked with the police to coordinate a response.
The report simply refers to the event as an “unauthorised party”. The nature of the event and its connection to Mr Michael was revealed in an article published by local blog Reclaim EC1.
According to the Corporation: “It is estimated that 500 people attended the party in this wooded area of the Heath, which is not a permitted event site under the Heath’s event policy. The party resulted in significant health and safety risks – exacerbated by the party’s organiser being visibly and significantly intoxicated.
“Officers experienced verbal abuse and theft of officer and security contractor equipment (constabulary vehicle keys and contractor body camera). Significant litter was left, the charity lost income due to having to close Jack Straws Car Park, and additional expense to the charity was incurred due to overtime and redeployment costs.”
The item in the report ends by stating officers will be seeking an injunction “to prohibit future occurrences of this unauthorised party”, with further information to be shared in due course.
A spokesperson for the City of London Corporation said: “Hampstead Heath is a cherished green space, and we have clear processes in place to support safe and inclusive events. As custodians of the Heath, we ask that all organisers follow these to ensure activities are suitable for this much-loved public space and all who use it.
“We make it clear that unauthorised events place significant pressure on this sensitive landscape and divert much needed resources, including the Heath Constabulary, to help manage public safety, ensure appropriate behaviour, and enforce our byelaws.
“Unfortunate and unacceptable incidents from this event included loud music, verbal abuse towards our staff, and significant littering — all of which undermine the wellbeing of visitors and the integrity of the site. We are considering appropriate steps to prevent future unauthorised events, and will take legal advice as necessary to safeguard the Heath and ensure it remains a peaceful and welcoming space for everyone.”
