Sydney was born in 1987, she is a transgender lesbian.

The interview focuses on her transitioning journey and life in a rural, close knit community, Rookley. It is largely positive and discusses gender fluidity.

Listen to Sydney’s interview.

Curriculum links:

• PSHE – identity, gender (0.54 – 2.32); family life (2.32 – 2.56); IW Pride (42.40 to 47.52); support for trans people (50.40 – 55.33)
• English – feminist and science fiction authors (25.20 – 28.05)
• History – importance of oral histories (1.21 – 2.00)

Content warning: the interview contains themes of suicide 15.00 – 17.15 and genitalia – 1hr 17 – 1hr 19

Rosa was born in 1954 in London, she is a lesbian.

In the interview she talks about the difficulties she faced being a lesbian in London at the time of Section 28. She moved to the Island in 2003 where she volunteered for the Lesbian & Gay Switchboard.

Listen to Rosa’s interview.

Curriculum links:

• PSHE – coming out to your family, relationships at school (2.38 – 9.29)
• Going out, masculinity/femininity (18.50 – 22.30)
• History/Law – Section 28, homophobic violence and protests (11.35 – 18.00)
• Community, challenging homophobia, lesbian and gay switchboard (22.30 – 31.49)

Content warning – Violence. Rosa talks about how a woman was hit in the face with a bottle in a homophobic attack (18.12 – 18.40)

Robin was born on the Island in 1942 and identifies as queer.

Robin’s interview reflects the extreme challenges faced by gay men at this time and the time of Section 28 and their impact on his mental health. He talks about his work as a Teacher and public life as a Councillor and Mayor on the Isle of Wight.

Listen to Robin’s interview.

Curriculum links:

• PSHE –  school life, trying to be straight, first relationship aged 20 (5.19 – 9.50)
• LGBT History – the word ‘homosexual’; Lord Montague (1.05 – 5.00); life as an English Teacher at the time of Section 28 (27.28 – 30.55)
• Law – changes in the law, Pride (36.30 – 42.10)
• English – Language IW County Press describes a ‘self-confessed homosexual’ (45.52 – 46.42)

Content warning: Explicit sexual language (23.30 – 23.45); Suicide, overdose (17.05 – 17.30)

Karl was born in 1961, he is a gay man.

The interview focuses on his move to the Isle of Wight in 1992 as the first young person’s outreach worker for sexual health. This is a positive story of Karl’s community role and work as an IW Councillor.

Listen to Karl’s interview.

Curriculum Links:

• PSHE and History – Karl highlights the so-called ‘AIDS budget’ funding for the Island (2.58 – 10.35)
• Geography/LGBT History – inclusive venues: Tollgate, Pugwash barge, The Crab Shack, Seaview (28.20 – 33.20)
• LGBT hidden community on the Island, life in a rural area, impact of AIDS (10.35 – 18.00)
• History and Government & Politics – Appointment of first Police LAGLOs (Lesbian and Gay Liaison Officers), Hate Crime, NHS funding  (42.50 – 53.30)

Michelle is a transgender female who lives in West Wight.

In the interview Michelle talks about her parents’ attempts to make her more masculine, her marriages and four children. She also highlights the lack of support for transgender people when she came out aged 60. 

Listen to Michelle’s interview.

Curriculum links:

• PSHE – crossdressing, coming out, family counselling (18.10 – 20.30) 
• Transitioning, trans activism (21.50 – 29.02)
• NHS group, Time For T, parents of LGBTQ+ children (35.39 – 39.00)
• Life as a transgender parent, gender roles, male privilege (39.22 – 48.00)

Lucy is a transgender woman who moved to the Isle of Wight in 1997.

In the interview Lucy talks about her early gender dysphoria, shyness and anxiety she faced, knowing from an early age that she wanted to live as a woman. This is a positive interview, illustrating a supportive community on the Island, in contrast to the Midlands where she was born. 

Listen to Lucy’s interview.

Curriculum links:

• PSHE – experimenting with gender expression as a child, home life (06.00 – 10.10)
• Becoming your authentic self, transgender dressing services (18.39 – 26.30)
• Moving to the Island & role models (26.30 – 29.55)
• Transitioning in your 40’s, mental health and self love (29.55 – 35.50)
• Acceptance and joy, Island life compared to life in Birmingham, support, Time For T Group & gender reassignment surgery (37.47 – 49.40)

Melissa is non-binary and moved to the Isle of Wight aged 8.

The interview is a positive affirmation of the joys and benefits of being part of the LGBTQ+ community if you have a supportive family and friends.

Listen to Melissa’s interview.

Curriculum links:

• PSHE – Coming out to friends and family, bisexuality, homophobia/biphobia (4.42 – 11.15); the joy & delight of being queer, sense of community (34.40 – 37.53)
• University life, confidence, coming out to parents and grandparents, religion (17.20 – 23.00)
• Geography/PSHE – life in London and the Isle of Wight, coming out scenarios to your GP, at work, privilege (24.25 – 29.25)

Karen is a lesbian who came to the Isle of Wight with her parents and brother when she was 6 months old.

The interview shows how being LGBTQ+ impacts on a person’s mental health from coming out to family to internalised feelings of homophobia and confusion.

Listen to Karen’s interview.

Curriculum links:

PSHE – family life, same sex attraction (0.00 – 3.49); coming out, marrying a man, seeking psychological help (3.50 – 7.00)

English – Karen mentions a book ‘Curious Wine’ by Katherine V. Forrest published in 1983 and regarded as a masterpiece of lesbian love.

LGBT History – role models Martina Navratilova and the women of Greenham Common, the gay scene in the 1990’s, venues and the Pink Paper (7.10 – 12.25, 15.20 – 19.15) 

Content warning: Karen talks about contemplating suicide (20.40 – 21.00); she also describes a hate crime, being attacked because of her sexuality and having her nose broken (28.55 – 32.53)