Interview with Ian (pt 1)
- Reference Number: DW-94/1/12/4
- Date: 2013
- Level: Piece
- Extent: 1 item
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Description: 2.30- Is gay, but like many in his age group, look a long time to accept this, was even married to a woman, got divorced. Felt that if he just found the best relationship it would be better, acknowledges that he did have some good relationships, but something was always not quite right
3.15- got to a point where he just wanted to be faithful to himself so made the choice to go out and discover his sexuality, once stopped worrying about how others would react/how it would affect his life, he realised it wasn?t something missing but rather something not accepted by himself, once he accepted this part, moving to being openly gay was very easy
4.15- First became aware of boys at around 12/13, liked being around boys, but preferred to playing the girls games, didn?t recognise this until much later on
5.30- this was around 1978, at an all-boys school
6.15- talks about media representation, drag
8- Feels he has been very lucky in that he has now been out 15 years and still has all friends, family, been few issues
9- thought before that when he came out things would be better, but life just continued as usual, the main thing is his own acceptance of himself, feels coming out is the best decision he?s made, made him a better person, he?s not as short tempered, doesn?t have secrets anymore
11.20- met new partner through the internet, talks about his relationship and general relationship issues such as compromising
14.40- feels there is less prejudice thanks to TV shows that have aired, and celebs identifying as gay or bi- visibility. Pays homage to older LGBT people fighting for their rights too
17.15- in the 70s and 80s, lots of stereotyping, offensive language
18.15- feel broader acceptance has only really been around since the early 1990s, a realisation of diversity within the LGBT community
19- First became aware of AIDs when it was still known as GRIDs, talks about the gravestone advert
20.50- the ban on gay men giving blood (This only changed in 2021!)
- Access Status: Open
- Contact: Wolverhampton Archives, Wolverhampton Archives & Local Studies