An interview with the extraordinary collector of ordinary queer lives, James Gardiner, explaining how he discovered the Betty & Tommy collection; photography, handwritten notes, cameras which offer a touching insight into a 50 year lesbian relationship - currently displayed as part of Queer The Pier at Brighton Museums . Editing and captioning by Rosie Powell Freelance Supported by National Lottery Heritage Fund

This snippet is part of a longer interview James Ledward gave to Queer In Brighton oral history project. In this snippet James Ledward describes the origins of G-Scene Magazine, early forms of community fundraising and organising, and the relationship of the community with local newspaper The Argus.

Snippet from an interview with Jenny Bennett. The full interview was part of Queer In Brighton oral history project. A collection of over 100 recordings, documenting queer life in Brighton. Jenny recalls her experience of volunteering for Switchboard at the time when it was Gay, then Lesbian and Gay switchboard. She describes what the service was there for and what worried people most.

"Interview with John Rosewarn for Queer in Brighton Oral History Project (28 May 2013), interviewed by ??. Oral history interview collected as part of the Queer in Brighton project 2013-2014. Life history from Taunton to Brighton DOB 1944 circa - leaves home at 18 (gets thrown out by father after being caught in bed with dad’s best mate) goes to London -sex worker from 18 to 24 years of age 1961 to 1967 - moves to Brighton 1969. Trains as a nurse - lives in Brighton- work students in Hayward’s Heath. Moves to Spain from 1991-1999. Talks about sex work, cottaging and it’s demise in the early 1980s, celebrities, work as a nurse, homophobia, bars in Brighton, his relationship with older man - open relationship- promiscuity, first Pride, estrangement from parents, drag persona. "

Lucy Foster is interviewed by Ten Harber (04/02/2013). Lucy came to Brighton from Surrey in 2008 to study humanities at Brighton University. She has yet to truly discover the gay scene and has been out for 2 years. She recalls how she felt after coming out and how her friends and family reacted. She says she is still coming to grips with her sexuality and mentions her fears of getting involved with the queer community but that she also has a desire to do so. She speaks about how visiting Stonewall affected her coming out experience. She notes how there is a sensitivity of language in Brighton that doesn’t exist in her hometown.

Interview with Ludo Foster for Queer in Brighton Oral History Project 2012-2014 (12 Dec. 2012), interviewed by Heather. Short Q&A with Ludo Foster about identity, origin, labels and social spheres. Interview with gender-fluid, , reflecting on identity, spaces. Ludo speaks about gender identity, gender fluidity and of being a transmasculine person of colour living in Brighton in 2010s. Discussion about reasons for relocating to Brighton, impressions before and after moving, day/nightlife in Brighton and academic life at University of Sussex. Discussion about gender expression, gendered assumptions, being transmasculine and transitioning at work and with family. Discussion about the bureaucracy of transition, trans rites of passage and milestones, and changes to which queer & straight spaces are welcoming or unwelcoming when coming out as transmasculine, ties between lesbian and FTM communities. Discussion about challenges of dating like pubs/clubs, gender identity, how potential partners perceive you, the safety and separation/privacy of the internet, online dating not being designed for trans people. Original audio (in two parts), transcript and consent form included.

Snippet from an interview with Rachel Beck. The full interview was part of Queer In Brighton oral history project. A collection of over 100 recordings, documenting queer life in Brighton. In this interview Rachel describes retaliation against Central Free Church in Brighton that was firebombed due to allowing gay people to meet on the premises.

This snippet is part of a longer interview Roger Nicholls gave to Queer In Brighton oral history project. Roger describes his experiences as a teacher, and as an activist during the Section 28 era.

Roni is interviewed by Ten Harber. Roni moved to Brighton in 2009 from Rome after previously visiting Brighton Pride. She speaks about the origin of Tramfrau as a response to Brighton’s nightlife being primarily geared towards students. She talks about how an activity space was included in the event to encourage interaction and socialising beyond the dancefloor. She talks about the risks taken to include different types of performance and music and how that has been unappreciated or misunderstood. Feedback is an important part of the process and has shaped how this event has changed over time. As the night became more successful it moved to a larger venue and some measures were taken to counteract antisocial behaviour, such as through the marketing of the event as well as featuring politics as part of the decor. She speaks further about the sensitivities around the language used to describe and conceptualise the night and how this has evolved alongside the event itself.

Rory Smith is interviewed by David Sheppeard in The Marlborough theatre green room. Rory came to Brighton in 2001 when he was 18 for university. He speaks about other close family members coming out to him before he came out as bisexual, and how it wasn’t until his third year of university that he discovered LGBT nightlife in Brighton. He speaks about being intimidated by the lesbian scene in the mid-2000s and how starting a drag king troupe helped him explore his gender identity. Whilst working for a trans charity he began to be solely referred to as Rory and use he/him pronouns. He speaks about bi erasure in Brighton and how it has been even more of a challenge post-transition Rory talks about being part of the group that started the Club Wotever events at The West Hill, which was one of the only alternative queer events at the time. The Cowley Club is also mentioned as part of this scene and it’s involvement with Queer Mutiny, an activist group. Rory then became involved in FTM Brighton and notes how a Trans Day of Remembrance became the catalyst for a new wave of local trans activism, including Trans Pride.

"Sarah Sawar is interviewed in a cafe Figaro's (?) cafe in Brighton, she talks about her childhood in Hayward's Heath close to Brighton. Sarah talks about discovering the gay scene in Brighton, first visiting Dr Brighton and the ease of growing up in the gay capital Sarah came out to friends at 14 and family at 21 due to her guardian (her auntie) expressing unhappiness at the possibility. She was disowned for three years after coming out and recently reconciled with her guardian. She talks about her auntie knowing she was gay because she was 'tombiysh' and had the typical gay look. She has a half sister who is also gay, but was brought up separately who she first met when they were 16 in Singapore. They have a close relationship and have similar tasted in music. Sarah talks in more detail about coming out to her sister who pointed out the risk of ending up alone. She talks about thinking about moving back to Singapore, but felt like they missed the UK and their friends. Sarah talks about training to be a paediatric nurse and her career aspirations.

Tiffany (Tiff) Ansari is interviewed by Ten Harber at The Fountainhead. She came to Brighton from Doncaster to study at Sussex University in 2010. She speaks about having a gay housemate who introduced her to her first LGBT event. She recalls Revenge being a strange first experience and that she now works there. She speaks of the celebrities she has met during her time there, and the performers she has seen. She also speaks about joining the women’s football team and the initiation process it takes to join as a fresher. Tiff talks about her experience as a volunteer for Switchboard and being a representative at different events. She gives examples of the types of calls received and the challenges of working in the role. She speaks about her coming out experience while living in Brighton and the discrimination she has faced on nights out.

'It's Christmas Carole!' Marlborough Madams Flyer 2010 (Front & Back)

Jane Traies: on secrets, books, and being whole Writer, researcher, storyteller and oral historian Jane Traies has been recording the life histories of the oldest generations of lesbians in the UK. Some of these stories feature in her books The Lives of Older Lesbians: Sexuality, Identity and the Life Course (2016) and Now You See Me (2018). In November 2021 we had the opportunity and privilege of listening to Jane's story. The story of a journey from secrecy to finding community. Via a very precious copy of Maureen Duffy's "The microcosm". Recorded remotely on November 18, 2021 Interview by: Roni Guetta and David Sheppeard Editing and original music by Olive Mondegreen

Janet tells Roni and David which are the objects that would best tell her personal queer story. Janet Jones grew up in West Yorkshire and lives in Brighton. She is a writer, queer and disability-rights activist, film makers, and all round source of many stories and anecdotes. In this interview Janet talks about her youth, self-discovery, writing and performing during the AIDS crisis, activism, death, life, and joy! Recorded on October 20, 2020, on Janet's balcony in Brighton, as part of the My Queer Museum podcast series Interview by: Roni Guetta and David Sheppeard Editing and original music by Olive Mondegreen