f Portraits of a Queen: The photography of Paul Bennett-Todd

This historical series of photographs, produced by the photographer Paul Bennett-Todd, selects from the period 2002–03 thirty images taken at the ‘SpeedQueen’ night at the Warehouse Club in Leeds. Bennett-Todd has presented this snapshot of the venue at the apex of its vibrancy and popularity; clientele at their self-assured peak. An energetic and inclusive event, ‘SpeedQueen’ embodied in its walls an almost poetic celebration of sexuality, transgender, class, race and age. ‘SpeedQueen’ ran at the Warehouse from 1997 to 2006, capturing the culture and colours of the new millennium where people, environment and music combined. Like Wigan casino and Manchester’s Hacienda, SpeedQueen (appearing originally as ‘Vague at the Warehouse’ between 1993 and 1996 occupies an almost mythological place in queer subculture’s own folklore.