Dr Clifford Williams joined the “extremely homophobic” police force in 1987. He recalls his training, which saw the Sexual Offences Act regarding homosexual activity taught via the mnemonic ‘POOF’s Charter’. For such activity to be lawful it had to be in private (P), practiced by those over 21 (O), and involving only two people (O) […]
Policing, Safe Spaces and this Challenging World

Our Hidden Histories

2015 marked the tenth anniversary of LGBT History Month in the UK. Playwright in residence for LGBT HM, Stephen M Hornby, explains how in the years following its 2005 introduction, the initiative “bubbled along nicely as a sort of grassroots happening.” The charity spearheading things, Schools OUT, would “set a theme, tie it in with […]
Isle of Wight Pride Returns!

In 2017 the Isle of Wight saw its first ever Pride event and such was the success of the day a year later they are hosting UK Pride. Whilst it sounds like a success story, there were stumbling blocks and vocal public objectors to the first Pride that could so easily have caused organisers to […]
UK Black Pride: “Come and celebrate with us”

The UK Black Pride (UKBP) festival takes place on 8 July in London’s Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, between 12 noon and 8pm. Led by the unwavering Phyll Opoku-Gyimah (otherwise known as Lady Phyll), the team behind this wonderful celebration has swelled to match the diverse intersectional challenges faced by many in the wider community. Fyne Times caught up […]
Exeter Pride: Celebration!

Exeter’s 10th LGBT Pride has announced the theme of this year’s event; celebration! Exeter Pride is one of the South West’s biggest celebrations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) communities in the region and a key annual event in the city’s calendar. Events include a colourful rainbow flag parade from the St Sidwell […]
Third Nordic Rainbow History & Culture Month

Bill Schiller of the Nordic Rainbow History and Culture Month… Plans are underway for the third LGBT History Month in the Nordic zone this coming October, featuring seminars, performance, film screenings, music, dance, drama, poetry, art and photography. The idea for a Nordic LGBT HM was long ago kindled by LGBT History Month in the UK […]