Juno tells Roni and David which are the objects that would best tell her personal queer story. Juno Dawson is a best selling novelist, screenwriter, and journalist. She is also a part of the queer cabaret collective known as CLUB SILENCIO. Juno grew up in West Yorkshire, writing imaginary episodes of Doctor Who, today she lives in Brighton. In this interview Juno talks about teenage crushes, growing up as a queer person, being a writer, gender and fashion. Recorded on November 3, 2020, at The Spire, Brighton, as part of the My Queer Museum podcast series.

Kathy tells Roni and David which are the objects that would best tell her personal queer story. Quite literally the queer voice of Brighton, Kathy Caton is broadcaster at BBC and Radio Reverb, as well as a woman pioneering in the world of gin making! In her interview Kathy talks about the buildings that hold our community together, how we need spaces and places to come together and to thrive. Recorded on October 19, 2020, at The Spire, Brighton, as part of the My Queer Museum podcast Interview by: Roni Guetta and David Sheppeard Editing and original music by Olive Mondegreen

Kevin John Dodd When I think of Kevin John Dodd, the memory that ignites is the one of him emerging from the Pepper-pot toilets by Queens Park one summer dressed in a T shirt and shorts. When he saw me walking into the park, his face broke into a broad grin and we both burst out laughing, because he knew that I knew what he’d been getting up to. I met Kevin at the Sussex AIDS Centre and Helpline when I was a volunteer there, and we got along straight away due to a shared sense of humour and a love of self-deprecation. Kevin was a member of Our House BP, and also sat on the board of the Sussex AIDS Centre as their representative. When Kevin died in February 1992, his service was conducted by Father Marcus Riggs, and took place at the Woodvale Crematorium off Lewes Road like many in those days. I remember the order of service had a black and white outline of Mickey Mouse on the cover page which made me smile. The music Kevin chose for his funeral was an eclectic mix. I remember ‘Nimrod’ from Elgar’s Enigma Variations in particular filling the space with undulating dissonant chords and an emotional resonance that had me sobbing into my sleeve. Later in the service ‘Reach out and touch’ by Diana Ross also hit the same spot albeit in a very different way. I think it was Kevin’s funeral that made me think for the first time about the songs that I might use to serenade my own passing, because back then life seemed so fleeting and death was everywhere. I will always remember Kevin for being cheeky, confidant, funny and completely fearless and all these years later, he is still missed by many. Harry Hillery 2021

Latex Theatre was initiated as part of a sexual health project, in Leeds, in the early 90s. The group met weekly in the AIDS Advice Centre, and wrote collectively and individually. 1. A manuscript of a poem that Janet co-wrote in 1994 with her partner. The poem was read and performed on tour across the country. 2. A photograph of Janet and another member of Latex theatre performing a short piece at London Pride between 1993 and 1995. The piece was short and punchy and delivered in an angry tone. Each of the sentences was made from tabloid newspaper headlines, and the homophobic language used around HIV/AIDS. "AIDS, you're better off dead. AIDS, a bullet in the head. AIDS, you made your bed, lay on it" 3. Stupid Bastard: a sketch written by Janet Jones for Latex Theatre in 1993. The piece is a commentary on current legislation on AIDS, rape, MSM, the prison population, the age of consent, and drug use.

The review was written after a performance at The Trades Club in Leeds, and thanks Leeds Women’s Committee for financially supporting the performance.

A small feature piece 'Transexual movie' advertising a screening of the film 'Let Me Die A Woman' at Brighton's Continentale Cinema, Sudeley Place, 9 December 1982. This and the accompanying listing come from Issue 2 of The Lavender Letter - courtesy of the Bishopsgate Institute. A review of the film 'Let Me Die A Woman' screened at Brighton's Continentale Cinema, Sudeley Place, 9 December 1982. This comes from Issue 3 of The Lavender Letter - courtesy of the Bishopsgate Institute. This is the concluding paragraph of the review: "The transsexual is far more the sexual outlaw (to borrow John Rechy's expression) than the gay man or woman and a movie like 'Let Me Die A Woman' can serve no purpose other than to titillate those who find humour or entertainment in the anguish of others." The advert for the film comes with the copy: Born a man... Let Me Die A Woman. All true! All real! See a man become a woman before your eyes!

Digital copy of a 'Lip Schtick Season' Flyer (2011)

Digital copy of a flyer for 'Literary Bent: Neil Bartlett & Bette Bourne' at the Brighton Fringe 2010, with Pink Fringe (Front & Back)

LOVEBOOTH NEW YEAR'S EVE 2013-2014 Video shot and edited by Sharon Kilgannon at Alonglines Photography. The video documents the NYE event which took place at Phoenix Art Gallery.

On the 3 May 2024 Stuart from The AIDS Memorial (Instagram) contacted me to say that a photo of my dear friend Andrea Philippe Regard would be featured in the ‘Live to Tell’ segment of Madonna’s ‘Celebration’ concert being held in Rio on 5 May. The Aids Memorial was a direct inspiration for the Brighton AIDS Memorial, so Andrea’s inclusion in the show in his home country was both a wonderful surprise and an honour. Andrea loved Madonna and when we chatted in my café, ‘The Immaculate Collection’ was often played – it sound-tracked the last months of his life. Stuart who lives in Scotland started The AIDS Memorial account on Instagram in April 2016. Every day, those who’ve died from AIDS are remembered via pictures and words from the people who knew and loved them, as well as first-person accounts from those who are long-term survivors of HIV and AIDS. Thank you Stuart for your inspiration and kindness. Big love Harry x

One of the most important intense interests is following the Welsh band the Manic Street Preachers. Within them I unknowingly found a queer community and a disability community. It’s started with just liking the music, buying CDs from Our Price with money made from babysitting at £2 an hour. The band particularly missing guitarist/lyricist Richey Edwards; openly talked about mental health and what we would look back now as neurodivergence. Bassist Nicky Wire would dress androgynously on stage with glitter, skirts, feather boa and tiara. He wrote one song with lyrics “I wish I had been born a girl”. Despite all members of the band being straight white men, in a world with zero queer visibility, this was the queerness I could access. (Watch Loves Sweet Exile video!) Through internet forums I met other fans, we would meet hours before shows and queue to get to the front. Once I queued over night and other times we had parties with tea and cake. I am still friends with some of these people, 25 years later. This photo was taken at Brighton Centre 12/12/02, the first time I saw them live, taken on a cheap film camera.

Maria Jastrzębska shares the powerful stories behind the three objects she is donating to our Queer Museum. Polish-British poet, feminist, editor, translator and playwright, Maria has published three full-length volumes of poetry and two pamphlets. She is the co-founded Queer Writing South and South Pole. In this interview Maria talks about being a girl scout, feminist activism and intersectionality, and the inherent queerness of poetry... Recorded remotely on April 29, 2021 Interview by: Roni Guetta and David Sheppeard Editing and original music by Olive Mondegreen

Photo of me on the steps of No.6 Percival Terrace - where I lived with my second Brighton boyfriend. Note that No.7 is under construction. In fact, 7-12 had collapsed some years before as a result of a sink-hole underneath the building. Rebuilt in the same late Georgian style in the noughties, the row is complete once again.

Marlborough Madams Flyer (2010)

Marlborough Theatre Brighton Fringe 2012 Brochure designed by Sarah Ferrari. Pink Fringe LGBTIQ+ programme highlights include: A Right Pair - Bette Bourne & Paul Shaw Trouser Wearing Characters - Rose Collis Mae-Day: I'm Not Waving I'm Drowning - Mae Martin Rachael's Café - Little Fly Theatre