I’m gay and I’m comfortable with who I am for most of my life I would never
am for most of my life I would never
am for most of my life I would never dreamed that I could stand up in public
dreamed that I could stand up in public
dreamed that I could stand up in public can make a statement like that i was
can make a statement like that i was
can make a statement like that i was born in 1955 into a briton that was
born in 1955 into a briton that was
born in 1955 into a briton that was hostile and oppressive for gay men I was
hostile and oppressive for gay men I was
hostile and oppressive for gay men I was conceived about the same time as the
conceived about the same time as the
conceived about the same time as the suicide of Alan Turing the war hero and
suicide of Alan Turing the war hero and
suicide of Alan Turing the war hero and his story is very well known you’re
his story is very well known you’re
his story is very well known you’re probably aware of it he was convicted of
probably aware of it he was convicted of
probably aware of it he was convicted of a sexual offense with another man he was
a sexual offense with another man he was
a sexual offense with another man he was often the option of prison or chemical
often the option of prison or chemical
often the option of prison or chemical castration who chose the latter and
castration who chose the latter and
castration who chose the latter and through depression he killed himself
through depression he killed himself
through depression he killed himself like cheering and many other gay men of
like cheering and many other gay men of
like cheering and many other gay men of my generation and older I’ve committed a
my generation and older I’ve committed a
my generation and older I’ve committed a sexual offense I have experienced
sexual offense I have experienced
sexual offense I have experienced homophobic bullying what we now call
homophobic bullying what we now call
homophobic bullying what we now call reparative therapy and struggles with
reparative therapy and struggles with
reparative therapy and struggles with anxiety depression and alcohol which led
anxiety depression and alcohol which led
anxiety depression and alcohol which led me to hit rock bottom when I was 45 I
me to hit rock bottom when I was 45 I
me to hit rock bottom when I was 45 I hope that sharing my journey might help
hope that sharing my journey might help
hope that sharing my journey might help heterosexual people to understand
heterosexual people to understand
heterosexual people to understand there’s a little better and also help
there’s a little better and also help
there’s a little better and also help gay men maybe a younger gay men to have
gay men maybe a younger gay men to have
gay men maybe a younger gay men to have happier more fulfilling lives I remember
happier more fulfilling lives I remember
happier more fulfilling lives I remember 1967 very well I just joined senior
1967 very well I just joined senior
1967 very well I just joined senior school and made friends with another boy
school and made friends with another boy
school and made friends with another boy but at some point for reasons I really
but at some point for reasons I really
but at some point for reasons I really couldn’t understand he started calling
couldn’t understand he started calling
couldn’t understand he started calling me names queer mummys boy didn’t really
me names queer mummys boy didn’t really
me names queer mummys boy didn’t really understand this at all and then one day
understand this at all and then one day
understand this at all and then one day I spotted a sick former in the shower
I spotted a sick former in the shower
I spotted a sick former in the shower and suddenly understood word queer
and suddenly understood word queer
and suddenly understood word queer seemed fit me wasn’t good feeling very
seemed fit me wasn’t good feeling very
seemed fit me wasn’t good feeling very shortly afterwards I saw a television
shortly afterwards I saw a television
shortly afterwards I saw a television documentary with my parents old man
documentary with my parents old man
documentary with my parents old man alive broadcasters you see in june
alive broadcasters you see in june
alive broadcasters you see in june nineteen sixty seven this was a bleak
nineteen sixty seven this was a bleak
nineteen sixty seven this was a bleak and desolate piece of documentary
and desolate piece of documentary
and desolate piece of documentary writing the people interviewed were a
writing the people interviewed were a
writing the people interviewed were a lady whose husband had committed suicide
lady whose husband had committed suicide
lady whose husband had committed suicide just before appearing in court for a
just before appearing in court for a
just before appearing in court for a sexual offense with another man in a
sexual offense with another man in a
sexual offense with another man in a laboratory a promiscuous hairdresser
laboratory a promiscuous hairdresser
laboratory a promiscuous hairdresser whose frequent forays into various
whose frequent forays into various
whose frequent forays into various for furtive sex he said were a really
for furtive sex he said were a really
for furtive sex he said were a really hope in search for love he was beaten up
hope in search for love he was beaten up
hope in search for love he was beaten up in a public toilet a gay GP whose
in a public toilet a gay GP whose
in a public toilet a gay GP whose professional life he said was unaffected
professional life he said was unaffected
professional life he said was unaffected but who effectively lived in isolation
but who effectively lived in isolation
but who effectively lived in isolation without contact with others simply by
without contact with others simply by
without contact with others simply by virtue of the fact that people said so
virtue of the fact that people said so
virtue of the fact that people said so many horrible things his words about
many horrible things his words about
many horrible things his words about homos the only example of a couple
homos the only example of a couple
homos the only example of a couple movies gentlemen at the top here had
movies gentlemen at the top here had
movies gentlemen at the top here had been living together for 26 years
been living together for 26 years
been living together for 26 years happily well there’s no mention of love
happily well there’s no mention of love
happily well there’s no mention of love they said that neither of them really
they said that neither of them really
they said that neither of them really have felt porn name to love that they
have felt porn name to love that they
have felt porn name to love that they never fall in love with each other they
never fall in love with each other they
never fall in love with each other they were simply living together and doing
were simply living together and doing
were simply living together and doing the best they could and in common with
the best they could and in common with
the best they could and in common with many other people in the documentary
many other people in the documentary
many other people in the documentary they said that they would have liked to
they said that they would have liked to
they said that they would have liked to have been normal and that they then they
have been normal and that they then they
have been normal and that they then they tried to disassociate themselves with
tried to disassociate themselves with
tried to disassociate themselves with other homosexuals who were shallow
other homosexuals who were shallow
other homosexuals who were shallow finally this most enigmatic interviewee
finally this most enigmatic interviewee
finally this most enigmatic interviewee who never faced the camera was a
who never faced the camera was a
who never faced the camera was a gentleman from a market town somewhere
gentleman from a market town somewhere
gentleman from a market town somewhere outside of London who used to come into
outside of London who used to come into
outside of London who used to come into London frequently in the hope of meeting
London frequently in the hope of meeting
London frequently in the hope of meeting gay people he used to go to the debtor
gay people he used to go to the debtor
gay people he used to go to the debtor hope that if he bought a spare ticket
hope that if he bought a spare ticket
hope that if he bought a spare ticket somebody might be available to take it
somebody might be available to take it
somebody might be available to take it up never work for him he spent a fortune
up never work for him he spent a fortune
up never work for him he spent a fortune one day in real desperation in wishing
one day in real desperation in wishing
one day in real desperation in wishing to meet somebody in a real sense of
to meet somebody in a real sense of
to meet somebody in a real sense of loneliness he went into the public
loneliness he went into the public
loneliness he went into the public lavatory he was arrested and as a
lavatory he was arrested and as a
lavatory he was arrested and as a consequence of his arrest he was put on
consequence of his arrest he was put on
consequence of his arrest he was put on probation he said in his defense in
probation he said in his defense in
probation he said in his defense in court well I was just trying to deal
court well I was just trying to deal
court well I was just trying to deal with my loneliness and when he was 15
with my loneliness and when he was 15
with my loneliness and when he was 15 his mother told him that she really
his mother told him that she really
his mother told him that she really better pack his things and leave four
better pack his things and leave four
better pack his things and leave four years later I furtively bought this book
years later I furtively bought this book
years later I furtively bought this book homosexuality from the school bookshop I
homosexuality from the school bookshop I
homosexuality from the school bookshop I say furtively I spent weeks trying to
say furtively I spent weeks trying to
say furtively I spent weeks trying to build up enough money to buy half a
build up enough money to buy half a
build up enough money to buy half a dozen copies of different books I didn’t
dozen copies of different books I didn’t
dozen copies of different books I didn’t want in order to put this month stone
want in order to put this month stone
want in order to put this month stone and I still remember the moment of fear
and I still remember the moment of fear
and I still remember the moment of fear and the English teacher who ran the
and the English teacher who ran the
and the English teacher who ran the bookshop turned the book over and just
bookshop turned the book over and just
bookshop turned the book over and just do it haha
do it haha
do it haha this is written by psychiatrist and
this is written by psychiatrist and
this is written by psychiatrist and criminologists Dom Donald West and I
criminologists Dom Donald West and I
criminologists Dom Donald West and I really bought the book because even at
really bought the book because even at
really bought the book because even at the age of 16 I thought I might find a
the age of 16 I thought I might find a
the age of 16 I thought I might find a solution to my problem I might found
solution to my problem I might found
solution to my problem I might found find out how I could get fixed what sort
find out how I could get fixed what sort
find out how I could get fixed what sort of treatment was available for me but
of treatment was available for me but
of treatment was available for me but all Wes told me was that being gay was a
all Wes told me was that being gay was a
all Wes told me was that being gay was a mental condition without an effective
mental condition without an effective
mental condition without an effective cure and on that basis or he could argue
cure and on that basis or he could argue
cure and on that basis or he could argue for was tolerance I learned a lot more
for was tolerance I learned a lot more
for was tolerance I learned a lot more from the book until 1835 buggery which
from the book until 1835 buggery which
from the book until 1835 buggery which is anal sex or sex with animals if you
is anal sex or sex with animals if you
is anal sex or sex with animals if you needed to know that incurred the death
needed to know that incurred the death
needed to know that incurred the death sentence we put hang for it in 1885
sentence we put hang for it in 1885
sentence we put hang for it in 1885 legislation was passed to add a new
legislation was passed to add a new
legislation was passed to add a new offense to the law to the statute books
offense to the law to the statute books
offense to the law to the statute books gross indecency which was just described
gross indecency which was just described
gross indecency which was just described as sexual activity between men short of
as sexual activity between men short of
as sexual activity between men short of anal penetration in other words anything
anal penetration in other words anything
anal penetration in other words anything else that gay men might want to do it
else that gay men might want to do it
else that gay men might want to do it legislation in 1956 classified such acts
legislation in 1956 classified such acts
legislation in 1956 classified such acts as an unnatural offences and they it
as an unnatural offences and they it
as an unnatural offences and they it also made it a crime for men I have to
also made it a crime for men I have to
also made it a crime for men I have to quote this persistently to solicit or
quote this persistently to solicit or
quote this persistently to solicit or impa tune in a public place for immoral
impa tune in a public place for immoral
impa tune in a public place for immoral purposes thus giving the police can’t
purposes thus giving the police can’t
purposes thus giving the police can’t launch to arrest people just for
launch to arrest people just for
launch to arrest people just for chatting each other up or having a
chatting each other up or having a
chatting each other up or having a conversation and arrest like that
conversation and arrest like that
conversation and arrest like that continuing until the 1990s Alan Turing
continuing until the 1990s Alan Turing
continuing until the 1990s Alan Turing and Oscar Wilde from both victims of the
and Oscar Wilde from both victims of the
and Oscar Wilde from both victims of the gross indecency caused by the way okay
gross indecency caused by the way okay
gross indecency caused by the way okay in 1967 same year we had the sexual
in 1967 same year we had the sexual
in 1967 same year we had the sexual offences act led to a television
offences act led to a television
offences act led to a television documentary was rendered on as a public
documentary was rendered on as a public
documentary was rendered on as a public service facility by the BBC to help
service facility by the BBC to help
service facility by the BBC to help people to think about what needed to be
people to think about what needed to be
people to think about what needed to be done and this was eventually pass
done and this was eventually pass
done and this was eventually pass through Parliament so decriminalization
through Parliament so decriminalization
through Parliament so decriminalization not really because these are the
not really because these are the
not really because these are the restrictions of the app it didn’t apply
restrictions of the app it didn’t apply
restrictions of the app it didn’t apply to Northern Ireland or to Scotland it
to Northern Ireland or to Scotland it
to Northern Ireland or to Scotland it was just England and Wales he had to be
was just England and Wales he had to be
was just England and Wales he had to be over the age of 21 you had to commit the
over the age of 21 you had to commit the
over the age of 21 you had to commit the act I think it’s the expression in
act I think it’s the expression in
act I think it’s the expression in private which in practice didn’t just
private which in practice didn’t just
private which in practice didn’t just mean behind closed doors it meant you
mean behind closed doors it meant you
mean behind closed doors it meant you couldn’t use a hotel you couldn’t use a
couldn’t use a hotel you couldn’t use a
couldn’t use a hotel you couldn’t use a student will of resin
student will of resin
student will of resin it couldn’t happen in somebody’s home if
it couldn’t happen in somebody’s home if
it couldn’t happen in somebody’s home if somebody was in another one of the rooms
somebody was in another one of the rooms
somebody was in another one of the rooms at the time and finally the armed forces
at the time and finally the armed forces
at the time and finally the armed forces and merchant navy were excluded from the
and merchant navy were excluded from the
and merchant navy were excluded from the decriminalization and there were far
decriminalization and there were far
decriminalization and there were far more arrests after the 1967 act than
more arrests after the 1967 act than
more arrests after the 1967 act than there were before it 1971 saw the
there were before it 1971 saw the
there were before it 1971 saw the publication of the Gay Liberation Front
publication of the Gay Liberation Front
publication of the Gay Liberation Front manifesto which examined the oppression
manifesto which examined the oppression
manifesto which examined the oppression of gay people families in schools have
of gay people families in schools have
of gay people families in schools have considered responsible refreshing like
considered responsible refreshing like
considered responsible refreshing like young people into gender conformist
young people into gender conformist
young people into gender conformist behavior and in doctrine doctrine a team
behavior and in doctrine doctrine a team
behavior and in doctrine doctrine a team into a patriarchal set of values the
into a patriarchal set of values the
into a patriarchal set of values the media the church and the employees were
media the church and the employees were
media the church and the employees were also accused of reinforcing lead than
also accused of reinforcing lead than
also accused of reinforcing lead than using and supporting both public bigotry
using and supporting both public bigotry
using and supporting both public bigotry gay people experience shame with their
gay people experience shame with their
gay people experience shame with their fat within their families many of them
fat within their families many of them
fat within their families many of them weren’t out to their parents soon as
weren’t out to their parents soon as
weren’t out to their parents soon as we’ve heard already some of them were
we’ve heard already some of them were
we’ve heard already some of them were actually thrown out for being gay gays
actually thrown out for being gay gays
actually thrown out for being gay gays user absent from the school curriculum
user absent from the school curriculum
user absent from the school curriculum including sex education and sources of
including sex education and sources of
including sex education and sources of oppression also identified as homophobic
oppression also identified as homophobic
oppression also identified as homophobic language and homophobic violence which
language and homophobic violence which
language and homophobic violence which in those days were referred to as queer
in those days were referred to as queer
in those days were referred to as queer bashing the manifesto envisioned a world
bashing the manifesto envisioned a world
bashing the manifesto envisioned a world where sex same sex attraction is
where sex same sex attraction is
where sex same sex attraction is considered normal and valid and not as a
considered normal and valid and not as a
considered normal and valid and not as a sexual deviation or a perversion the
sexual deviation or a perversion the
sexual deviation or a perversion the authors argued for a broadening of sex
authors argued for a broadening of sex
authors argued for a broadening of sex education and an equal age of consent
education and an equal age of consent
education and an equal age of consent and the society free of police
and the society free of police
and the society free of police harassment so that people will be able
harassment so that people will be able
harassment so that people will be able to kiss or hold hands with the same-sex
to kiss or hold hands with the same-sex
to kiss or hold hands with the same-sex partner as recently the seventies
partner as recently the seventies
partner as recently the seventies publications were prosecuted for
publications were prosecuted for
publications were prosecuted for carrying gay personal ads and simply on
carrying gay personal ads and simply on
carrying gay personal ads and simply on the basis they conspired to corrupt
the basis they conspired to corrupt
the basis they conspired to corrupt public morals and the manifesto demanded
public morals and the manifesto demanded
public morals and the manifesto demanded an end to this when I was 19 I had a
an end to this when I was 19 I had a
an end to this when I was 19 I had a relationship with a boy my own age in
relationship with a boy my own age in
relationship with a boy my own age in heterosexual terms and sexual activities
heterosexual terms and sexual activities
heterosexual terms and sexual activities were limited to heavy petting but
were limited to heavy petting but
were limited to heavy petting but because we were men they constituted
because we were men they constituted
because we were men they constituted gross indecency the acts took place in a
gross indecency the acts took place in a
gross indecency the acts took place in a student hall of residence and in a
student hall of residence and in a
student hall of residence and in a shared flat not in private we were both
shared flat not in private we were both
shared flat not in private we were both below the age of consent of course and
below the age of consent of course and
below the age of consent of course and when I subsequently sought medical help
when I subsequently sought medical help
when I subsequently sought medical help for depression or is advised that I
for depression or is advised that I
for depression or is advised that I committed a crime a psychiatrist and
committed a crime a psychiatrist and
committed a crime a psychiatrist and then a hypnotherapist tried
then a hypnotherapist tried
then a hypnotherapist tried unsuccessfully to
unsuccessfully to
unsuccessfully to me of my homosexuality I got off lightly
me of my homosexuality I got off lightly
me of my homosexuality I got off lightly because other people who saw the same
because other people who saw the same
because other people who saw the same psychiatrists were referred for aversion
psychiatrists were referred for aversion
psychiatrists were referred for aversion therapy I’m this hour from that all I
therapy I’m this hour from that all I
therapy I’m this hour from that all I gained from therapy was a reinforced
gained from therapy was a reinforced
gained from therapy was a reinforced believe that I was a pervert and
believe that I was a pervert and
believe that I was a pervert and incurable the World Health Organization
incurable the World Health Organization
incurable the World Health Organization only Declassified homosexuality of
only Declassified homosexuality of
only Declassified homosexuality of mental illness in 1992 by the way I
mental illness in 1992 by the way I
mental illness in 1992 by the way I began teaching in 1977 in a boys school
began teaching in 1977 in a boys school
began teaching in 1977 in a boys school where all the teachers were men many of
where all the teachers were men many of
where all the teachers were men many of them gay there was a feeling of safety
them gay there was a feeling of safety
them gay there was a feeling of safety in numbers so I became cautiously more
in numbers so I became cautiously more
in numbers so I became cautiously more open about my sexuality to a small
open about my sexuality to a small
open about my sexuality to a small number of colleagues and occasionally
number of colleagues and occasionally
number of colleagues and occasionally where appropriate to pupil to have their
where appropriate to pupil to have their
where appropriate to pupil to have their own questions about their sexual
own questions about their sexual
own questions about their sexual orientation I was very careful never to
orientation I was very careful never to
orientation I was very careful never to proselytize about that but one of the
proselytize about that but one of the
proselytize about that but one of the peoples who’s recently celebrated its
peoples who’s recently celebrated its
peoples who’s recently celebrated its 50th 30 has written to me especially say
50th 30 has written to me especially say
50th 30 has written to me especially say how much this has helped in but
how much this has helped in but
how much this has helped in but attitudes deteriorated towards gay
attitudes deteriorated towards gay
attitudes deteriorated towards gay people in the 1980s with the Asteria
people in the 1980s with the Asteria
people in the 1980s with the Asteria around aids not helped by the
around aids not helped by the
around aids not helped by the government’s scaremongering
government’s scaremongering
government’s scaremongering controversial public service
controversial public service
controversial public service advertisements which appeared on
advertisements which appeared on
advertisements which appeared on television and in the papers there’s a
television and in the papers there’s a
television and in the papers there’s a massive storm about the same time about
massive storm about the same time about
massive storm about the same time about the use in one state school of a book
the use in one state school of a book
the use in one state school of a book telling story of a little girl who had
telling story of a little girl who had
telling story of a little girl who had two fathers there’s a picture in there
two fathers there’s a picture in there
two fathers there’s a picture in there which showed the three of them in bed
which showed the three of them in bed
which showed the three of them in bed the two father sitting either side in
the two father sitting either side in
the two father sitting either side in the little girl reading a story book of
the little girl reading a story book of
the little girl reading a story book of them highly offensive stuff so in 1988
them highly offensive stuff so in 1988
them highly offensive stuff so in 1988 margaret thatcher’s took the government
margaret thatcher’s took the government
margaret thatcher’s took the government succeeded in passing section 28 of the
succeeded in passing section 28 of the
succeeded in passing section 28 of the local government act forbidding the
local government act forbidding the
local government act forbidding the promotion of homosexuality I was like
promotion of homosexuality I was like
promotion of homosexuality I was like that idea of promoting homosexuality buy
that idea of promoting homosexuality buy
that idea of promoting homosexuality buy one get one free and also going on to
one get one free and also going on to
one get one free and also going on to make other clients prescriptive
make other clients prescriptive
make other clients prescriptive statements such as not promoting the
statements such as not promoting the
statements such as not promoting the acceptability of homosexuality as a
acceptability of homosexuality as a
acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship but just
pretended family relationship but just
pretended family relationship but just in case you thought aids wouldn’t get a
in case you thought aids wouldn’t get a
in case you thought aids wouldn’t get a mention nothing in that section above
mention nothing in that section above
mention nothing in that section above should be taken to prohibit wasn’t doing
should be taken to prohibit wasn’t doing
should be taken to prohibit wasn’t doing anything from the purpose of treating or
anything from the purpose of treating or
anything from the purpose of treating or preventing the spread of disease so it
preventing the spread of disease so it
preventing the spread of disease so it seemed to me the message was pretty
seemed to me the message was pretty
seemed to me the message was pretty clear being gabes a lifestyle choice
clear being gabes a lifestyle choice
clear being gabes a lifestyle choice could lead to AIDS and gay relationships
could lead to AIDS and gay relationships
could lead to AIDS and gay relationships were a sham I change schools the
were a sham I change schools the
were a sham I change schools the following year although I took part in a
following year although I took part in a
following year although I took part in a public demonstration against section 28
public demonstration against section 28
public demonstration against section 28 I confess that i re-entered the closet
I confess that i re-entered the closet
I confess that i re-entered the closet until section 28 was repealed in 2003
until section 28 was repealed in 2003
until section 28 was repealed in 2003 game people had no employment protection
game people had no employment protection
game people had no employment protection that time and as a teacher in a boys
that time and as a teacher in a boys
that time and as a teacher in a boys school a male teacher in a boys school I
school a male teacher in a boys school I
school a male teacher in a boys school I felt too vulnerable to be out so just
felt too vulnerable to be out so just
felt too vulnerable to be out so just going back about bit this is me as a
going back about bit this is me as a
going back about bit this is me as a happy four year old I know cute in 1959
happy four year old I know cute in 1959
happy four year old I know cute in 1959 not a care in the world but how did
not a care in the world but how did
not a care in the world but how did things change by the mid-1970s I learned
things change by the mid-1970s I learned
things change by the mid-1970s I learned that I was incurable and immoral and
that I was incurable and immoral and
that I was incurable and immoral and condemned to a life of loneliness and
condemned to a life of loneliness and
condemned to a life of loneliness and despair I’d internalize the negativity
despair I’d internalize the negativity
despair I’d internalize the negativity of anti-gay legislation and the
of anti-gay legislation and the
of anti-gay legislation and the hostility of the government the media
hostility of the government the media
hostility of the government the media and public this understandably cause
and public this understandably cause
and public this understandably cause shame which led to anxiety depression
shame which led to anxiety depression
shame which led to anxiety depression and severe abuse of alcohol and this
and severe abuse of alcohol and this
and severe abuse of alcohol and this photograph was taken first january two
photograph was taken first january two
photograph was taken first january two thousand which is my last binge and
thousand which is my last binge and
thousand which is my last binge and pleased to tell you i just didn’t want
pleased to tell you i just didn’t want
pleased to tell you i just didn’t want to live so moving on thanks to
to live so moving on thanks to
to live so moving on thanks to campaigning by various groups such as
campaigning by various groups such as
campaigning by various groups such as stone wall and individual activists
stone wall and individual activists
stone wall and individual activists there were significant changes to
there were significant changes to
there were significant changes to legislation from 2000 making a very
legislation from 2000 making a very
legislation from 2000 making a very positive change to the lives of many gay
positive change to the lives of many gay
positive change to the lives of many gay people and these are probably from an
people and these are probably from an
people and these are probably from an issue gay people can marry get you can
issue gay people can marry get you can
issue gay people can marry get you can adopt we could have pretty much
adopt we could have pretty much
adopt we could have pretty much everything that everybody else can do so
everything that everybody else can do so
everything that everybody else can do so love is illegal now but does that mean
love is illegal now but does that mean
love is illegal now but does that mean that we created utopia that was helped
that we created utopia that was helped
that we created utopia that was helped hoped for in the glf manifesto are we
hoped for in the glf manifesto are we
hoped for in the glf manifesto are we actually yeah glad to be gay June saw
actually yeah glad to be gay June saw
actually yeah glad to be gay June saw the publication of this book my Matthew
the publication of this book my Matthew
the publication of this book my Matthew toward a brilliant book called
toward a brilliant book called
toward a brilliant book called straitjacket Matthew was the editor
straitjacket Matthew was the editor
straitjacket Matthew was the editor attitude magazine which is a gay glossy
attitude magazine which is a gay glossy
attitude magazine which is a gay glossy magazine and very much knows the gay
magazine and very much knows the gay
magazine and very much knows the gay scene younger than me in his early
scene younger than me in his early
scene younger than me in his early forties and this was endorsed the other
forties and this was endorsed the other
forties and this was endorsed the other day in article in The Guardian by Owen
day in article in The Guardian by Owen
day in article in The Guardian by Owen Smith hi Joan sorry burne-jones and
Smith hi Joan sorry burne-jones and
Smith hi Joan sorry burne-jones and Matthew Todd I’m afraid to say even as
Matthew Todd I’m afraid to say even as
Matthew Todd I’m afraid to say even as much young young of me as a life story
much young young of me as a life story
much young young of me as a life story which is very similar to my own there’s
which is very similar to my own there’s
which is very similar to my own there’s nothing special about me
nothing special about me
nothing special about me so what’s the problem so but both of
so what’s the problem so but both of
so what’s the problem so but both of them argue that wildlife has improved
them argue that wildlife has improved
them argue that wildlife has improved substantially for many gay people for
substantially for many gay people for
substantially for many gay people for too many this is not so in a society
too many this is not so in a society
too many this is not so in a society that remains deeply homophobic
that remains deeply homophobic
that remains deeply homophobic homophobic bullying continues to be rife
homophobic bullying continues to be rife
homophobic bullying continues to be rife in many schools and homophobic hate
in many schools and homophobic hate
in many schools and homophobic hate crime is common young gay people
crime is common young gay people
crime is common young gay people internalized this is shame coming out it
internalized this is shame coming out it
internalized this is shame coming out it means a traumatic experience for many
means a traumatic experience for many
means a traumatic experience for many many feel lonely and isolated many
many feel lonely and isolated many
many feel lonely and isolated many self-harm many gay men who are HIV
self-harm many gay men who are HIV
self-harm many gay men who are HIV positive or undiagnosed so having unsafe
positive or undiagnosed so having unsafe
positive or undiagnosed so having unsafe sex presents a serious risk anxiety
sex presents a serious risk anxiety
sex presents a serious risk anxiety depression suicide and addictive drug
depression suicide and addictive drug
depression suicide and addictive drug and alcohol use as a farmer wide strip
and alcohol use as a farmer wide strip
and alcohol use as a farmer wide strip of spread in the gay community than in
of spread in the gay community than in
of spread in the gay community than in society at large drugs and alcohol are
society at large drugs and alcohol are
society at large drugs and alcohol are off news none unpalatable feelings and
off news none unpalatable feelings and
off news none unpalatable feelings and to make people feel more in disinhibited
to make people feel more in disinhibited
to make people feel more in disinhibited the most visible option for meeting
the most visible option for meeting
the most visible option for meeting others is the gay scene much of it
others is the gay scene much of it
others is the gay scene much of it highly sexualized and the only way some
highly sexualized and the only way some
highly sexualized and the only way some people can deal with that is to drink or
people can deal with that is to drink or
people can deal with that is to drink or to use drugs a new extremely dangerous
to use drugs a new extremely dangerous
to use drugs a new extremely dangerous phenomenon the gay scene is kem sex
phenomenon the gay scene is kem sex
phenomenon the gay scene is kem sex which the use of recreational drugs to
which the use of recreational drugs to
which the use of recreational drugs to have extended sex parties with numerous
have extended sex parties with numerous
have extended sex parties with numerous partners and this can carry on for days
partners and this can carry on for days
partners and this can carry on for days and of course it carries the risks of
and of course it carries the risks of
and of course it carries the risks of risk of unsafe sex addiction dependency
risk of unsafe sex addiction dependency
risk of unsafe sex addiction dependency or accidental death the mobile dating
or accidental death the mobile dating
or accidental death the mobile dating apps and hook at a hookup apps such as
apps and hook at a hookup apps such as
apps and hook at a hookup apps such as such as blinder provide anonymity for
such as blinder provide anonymity for
such as blinder provide anonymity for people who prefer that but those who
people who prefer that but those who
people who prefer that but those who have that intimacy needs met in that way
have that intimacy needs met in that way
have that intimacy needs met in that way often expressed frustration because they
often expressed frustration because they
often expressed frustration because they easily find sex while tenderness and
easily find sex while tenderness and
easily find sex while tenderness and love remain elusive such encounters
love remain elusive such encounters
love remain elusive such encounters could be even more dangerous than public
could be even more dangerous than public
could be even more dangerous than public sex in cruising grounds because they
sex in cruising grounds because they
sex in cruising grounds because they often take place in strangers homes and
often take place in strangers homes and
often take place in strangers homes and can lead to murders as recent cases
can lead to murders as recent cases
can lead to murders as recent cases confirm what about the world situation
confirm what about the world situation
confirm what about the world situation not so good all the 10 countries labeled
not so good all the 10 countries labeled
not so good all the 10 countries labeled in red still carry the death penalty for
in red still carry the death penalty for
in red still carry the death penalty for same sex act those that are highlighted
same sex act those that are highlighted
same sex act those that are highlighted in pink 72 of those carry heavy
in pink 72 of those carry heavy
in pink 72 of those carry heavy sentences of course sex acts between
sentences of course sex acts between
sentences of course sex acts between people and same sex so all of this
people and same sex so all of this
people and same sex so all of this sounds really dismal but there is some
sounds really dismal but there is some
sounds really dismal but there is some hope a 2015 yougov survey revealed a
hope a 2015 yougov survey revealed a
hope a 2015 yougov survey revealed a shift in how young people aged 18 to 24
shift in how young people aged 18 to 24
shift in how young people aged 18 to 24 described the sexual orientation more
described the sexual orientation more
described the sexual orientation more than half identified as other than
than half identified as other than
than half identified as other than exclusively heterosexual this seems to
exclusively heterosexual this seems to
exclusively heterosexual this seems to reflect a recognition that sexual
reflect a recognition that sexual
reflect a recognition that sexual orientation is not a simple binary
orientation is not a simple binary
orientation is not a simple binary choice of gay or straight or a sign a
choice of gay or straight or a sign a
choice of gay or straight or a sign a book but indeed it’s design a better
book but indeed it’s design a better
book but indeed it’s design a better acceptance of diversity when my life
acceptance of diversity when my life
acceptance of diversity when my life fell apart one way I raised my
fell apart one way I raised my
fell apart one way I raised my self-esteem was by campaign campaigning
self-esteem was by campaign campaigning
self-esteem was by campaign campaigning for gay equality I became those involved
for gay equality I became those involved
for gay equality I became those involved with Stonewall which had initially been
with Stonewall which had initially been
with Stonewall which had initially been formed to campaign against section 28 I
formed to campaign against section 28 I
formed to campaign against section 28 I worked in schools with quotes and
worked in schools with quotes and
worked in schools with quotes and students to tackle bullying including
students to tackle bullying including
students to tackle bullying including homophobic bullying and I’m pleased to
homophobic bullying and I’m pleased to
homophobic bullying and I’m pleased to say that while I’m still on a journey I
say that while I’m still on a journey I
say that while I’m still on a journey I now feel happier than ever before with
now feel happier than ever before with
now feel happier than ever before with the love and support of wonderful
the love and support of wonderful
the love and support of wonderful friends and amazing family when I some
friends and amazing family when I some
friends and amazing family when I some of the confidence to come out to my
of the confidence to come out to my
of the confidence to come out to my parents eventually they were entirely
parents eventually they were entirely
parents eventually they were entirely supportive and I hope this might give
supportive and I hope this might give
supportive and I hope this might give some supports or some help to poke to
some supports or some help to poke to
some supports or some help to poke to others so finally what needs to be done
others so finally what needs to be done
others so finally what needs to be done the NHS must improve support for lesbian
the NHS must improve support for lesbian
the NHS must improve support for lesbian gay bisexual and trans people especially
gay bisexual and trans people especially
gay bisexual and trans people especially young people all schools should have a
young people all schools should have a
young people all schools should have a robust policy that tackles bullying
robust policy that tackles bullying
robust policy that tackles bullying based on sexual orientation or gender
based on sexual orientation or gender
based on sexual orientation or gender identity and they can get excellent
identity and they can get excellent
identity and they can get excellent support from that pull that from
support from that pull that from
support from that pull that from Stonewall a friend and I have just
Stonewall a friend and I have just
Stonewall a friend and I have just finished running an eight-week secular
finished running an eight-week secular
finished running an eight-week secular course for lesbian gay bisexual and
course for lesbian gay bisexual and
course for lesbian gay bisexual and trans group this causes designed by the
trans group this causes designed by the
trans group this causes designed by the charity action for happiness and it’s
charity action for happiness and it’s
charity action for happiness and it’s called exploring what matters we found a
called exploring what matters we found a
called exploring what matters we found a tremendously powerful and hope the
tremendously powerful and hope the
tremendously powerful and hope the program can now be made more widely
program can now be made more widely
program can now be made more widely available the gay community should
available the gay community should
available the gay community should release reach out to the isolated or
release reach out to the isolated or
release reach out to the isolated or lonely in Kingston we plan to implement
lonely in Kingston we plan to implement
lonely in Kingston we plan to implement a buddy system to help lonely and
a buddy system to help lonely and
a buddy system to help lonely and isolated people to become part of the
isolated people to become part of the
isolated people to become part of the gay community there’s need for more
gay community there’s need for more
gay community there’s need for more youth groups we must raise away in some
youth groups we must raise away in some
youth groups we must raise away in some alternatives to the scene and make
alternatives to the scene and make
alternatives to the scene and make people aware of various gays to up
people aware of various gays to up
people aware of various gays to up 12-step groups that can help you to
12-step groups that can help you to
12-step groups that can help you to tackle addictions and we also need to be
tackle addictions and we also need to be
tackle addictions and we also need to be proactively internet with the
proactively internet with the
proactively internet with the international scene by supporting
international scene by supporting
international scene by supporting organizations such as stone wall and
organizations such as stone wall and
organizations such as stone wall and Amnesty International so finally what
Amnesty International so finally what
Amnesty International so finally what would you do about this whether or not
would you do about this whether or not
would you do about this whether or not you’re gay
you’re gay
you’re gay just as you don’t have to be an animal
just as you don’t have to be an animal
just as you don’t have to be an animal to support animal rights you don’t have
to support animal rights you don’t have
to support animal rights you don’t have to be gay too small gay rights if your
to be gay too small gay rights if your
to be gay too small gay rights if your head for a sexual don’t assume that your
head for a sexual don’t assume that your
head for a sexual don’t assume that your colleagues friends and family including
colleagues friends and family including
colleagues friends and family including children share your sexual orientation
children share your sexual orientation
children share your sexual orientation be open to other possibilities and be
be open to other possibilities and be
be open to other possibilities and be ready to accept and support people you
ready to accept and support people you
ready to accept and support people you care about I also encourage everyone to
care about I also encourage everyone to
care about I also encourage everyone to support charities such as stone wall
support charities such as stone wall
support charities such as stone wall through donation or volunteering or both
through donation or volunteering or both
through donation or volunteering or both gay liberation is about people feeling
gay liberation is about people feeling
gay liberation is about people feeling free to be themselves the lead happy
free to be themselves the lead happy
free to be themselves the lead happy lives it has broader implications for
lives it has broader implications for
lives it has broader implications for our society in helping to create a
our society in helping to create a
our society in helping to create a certain height in free of bigotry
certain height in free of bigotry
certain height in free of bigotry prejudice and demand that discrimination
prejudice and demand that discrimination
prejudice and demand that discrimination so be proactive in challenging injustice
so be proactive in challenging injustice
so be proactive in challenging injustice discrimination and harassment don’t just
discrimination and harassment don’t just
discrimination and harassment don’t just be a bystander thank you
be a bystander thank you
be a bystander thank you [Applause]
”
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