Back in the early 70s The Gay Liberation Front aimed to change the way that gay men and lesbians related to society; to provide a more nurturing alternative. That vision faded and today's "gay scene" is very commercial and not too different from everyday straight society. Some of the ideas still live on, however in the Edward Carpenter Community. The community organises a series of Gay Men's Weeks at various venues throughout the year. Here they offer opportunities for a re-assessment of where we are heading, how we want to live and relate to one another. A Gay Men's Week can be a very powerful thing, it can change your life. Trust me - I know. 

Principles

The Edward Carpenter Community (ECC) exists to provide opportunities to express our identities as gay men. We are committed:

to achieve greater trust and intimacy among ourselves and all gay men 
1. to create and maintain a supportive network of gay men 
2. to live in a way that is not exploitative of our fellow creatures, our environment or its resources 
3. to strengthen our membership by welcoming more men from groups which have traditionally been oppressed in our society; to continue to encourage and support disabled, black, older and younger men to become involved in our events; to do what we can to reduce the impact of sexism and other forms of oppression 
4. to overcome the effects of our own oppression as gay men 
5. to share skills and work co-operatively rather than competitively 
6. to look at non-exploitative social and economic structures as alternatives to the current economic and social system 
7. to act as a resource for each other, interested gay people and individuals and groups who share our concerns and objectives. 

Intentions

We intend:

1. to encourage an atmosphere of trust, support and sharing in each other's lives. 
2. to encourage creativity (music, dance, drama, art, fun etc. 
3. to make personal commitment to the community. 
4. to promote activity concerned with therapy and health issues which concern gay men and to acknowledge the major role in self healing (emotional and physical) in our lives; to encourage a healthy lifestyle and vegetarian/vegan diet. 
5. to acquire places for housing gay men; to make provision for communal living places large enough to provide everyone with privacy and individual space. In communal living spaces there shall be:

(a) regular meetings.
(b) a disputes procedure, with commitment to sorting out personal problems as they arise.
(c) a commitment to welcome visitors and to provide a relaxed atmosphere for them. 
6. to encourage the setting up of a rural centre and living space. 
7. to introduce people to new ideas and ways of living. 

The E.C.C have now a got a WWW page in construction, the address is: