In an age of "lesbian chic", Britain's longest surviving lesbian organization continues to adapt itself to provide all kinds of gay women with the special welcome they are looking for.  Now that the BBC offer us Tipping the Velvet and If These Walls Could Talk not to mention channels 4 and 5 screening Lesbian Love Stories and, believe it or not, The Truth about Lesbian Sex.  It is hard to believe that there can possibly be any secrets left about women who prefer women, let alone any lesbians who still feel that they need to come out among like-minded friends. 

London is certainly one of the gayest cities in the world with gay information readily available in publications such as Time Out and Hot Tickets.  Other cities like Birmingham and Manchester are well qualified to give London a run for its money with their gay friendly attitudes.  Yet still this chic, fun culture with numerous women only spaces, bars and clubs, that cater for every taste and age, can still seem threatening and bewildering for newly identified gay women. 

And that is where Kenric – over 39 years old – continues to do well at what it knows best.  That is bringing women together in a safe and comfortable way.  Kenric was established in 1964 and has always been the only lesbian organization dedicated to bringing women together socially on a nationwide basis.  Let us not forget that in 1964 male homosexuality was still illegal which, thanks to Queen Victoria, was not the case for lesbians.

Though Kenric originated in London, with its name being a corruption of "Kensington" and "Richmond", it soon spread throughout the country providing a much-needed broad-based social organization for lesbians of all ages, from all walks of life.  To this day it still uses a network of local volunteers who organize a variety of events from discos to discussions.  Members are kept informed and in touch via the magazine they receive by mail each month.  This is a lifeline for numerous women many of whom have felt at one time or another that they were the only lesbians on the planet.  The magazine also enables members to access information from gay help-lines. 

Kenric's strength is in its diversity.  No other lesbian organization offers so much so often and on so big a scale.  Each year the organization hosts a Christmas Ball in London and its annual extravaganza in Eastbourne which last year saw almost a thousand women dancing the night away at the end of the Women's Tennis Tournament.  Throughout the year and the country there are also numerous discos and sporting activities ranging from golf to rounders.  Kenric can offer lesbian women the opportunity to make friends with other women who share common interests.  The free contact ads are also a way to meet "that special person".  With all this on tap no lesbian need ever been lonely or ignorant again.

In its long history Kenric has been responsible for countless introductions.  Many of those women now volunteer their services and endless energy to ensure that Kenric continues to be a friendly and welcoming organization.  Kenric need never explain or excuse its longevity – it will always be needed.