In Good Company: Harry Nicholas
Introducing our new series 'In Good Company' in which we interview some of our locals about their favourite Ealing haunts. As it's Pride Month 🏳️🌈 we thought it only fitting that we should start with a proud member of the West London LGBTQ+ community, Harry Nicholas.
Harry Nicholas is a writer and gay trans man living in Ealing. He has contributed to articles in The Huffington Post, Forbes, BBC Newsbeat, BBC3's 'Things not to say to a trans person' and Pink News. Last month, Harry published his first book 'A Trans Man Walks into a Gay Bar'.
At what stage in your life did you first move to Ealing?
I moved to Ealing after finishing University in London. Originally I'm from Lancashire and so the greenery of Ealing, all the gorgeous parks and its community spirit, felt like an idyllic place and somewhere I could call home while still having access to the bustle of Central London. I've lived here for nearly 6 years now and have no plans to move elsewhere anytime soon.
If you were telling someone about Ealing who had never visited, how would you describe it?
Green, multicultural, lovely people and some great independent shops!
Do you have a favourite Ealing watering hole?
My partner and I recently had our engagement party at Drayton Court which has a great pub garden. For something a bit more dressy, I reckon No.17 Dickens Yard does one of the best Mojitos in town.
Where have you had your best Ealing meal?
Hard to choose between Sikulo which makes pizzas to die for and Nuki's, a wonderful Thai place - both on Northfields avenue and offer delicious menus.
Is there a part of Ealing that you find particularly inspirational or where you find peace?
I love walking around Walpole Park followed by a smoothie from Farm W5. I also did a lot of the writing for my book in the outdoor gardens at Deliza, an Italian coffee shop on Northfield Avenue, and at The Moon and Maybe, in South Ealing.
Tell us what you're up to & what's next for you.
Currently I'm on tour for my book A Trans Man Walks into a Gay Bar which came out 18th May. I'm travelling up and down the country talking about queer spaces, gay history, and what it's like being both trans and gay in contemporary society and the kind of questions and contradictions this brings up. I'm also working on some kit designs for my touch rugby club run by the West London Queer Project. Our club has only been going nearly a year now and it's providing a fantastic space for all LGBTQ+ people, whether they have experience of touch rugby or not, to find community and participate in sport. And possibly most excitingly, I'm planning my wedding with my gorgeous fiancé, Liam. We're looking around Ealing for beautiful, intimate venues, so if you have any tips - hit me up!
