With the colour and joyfulness of Pride celebrations now a key part of our calendar, it’s easy to forget that not too long ago the LGBTQ+ community had to carefully hide their identities. The history books may skirt around it, but Queer people have existed forever - in Notts and beyond - and gradually their stories are coming out. Historian and journalist (and LeftLion’s newly appointed History Editor), CJ DeBarra has been researching Nottingham’s Queer history ahead of the upcoming release of their LGBTQ+ History Project. LeftLion HQ caught up with them to hear more about Nottingham’s Queer history…
CJ has been a journalist for nearly twenty years, and in 2017 they ventured into local news. It was during this time that ideas for the LGBTQ+ History Project began to emerge. “I started to realise we had so many wonderful stories, about the queer past that we were rapidly losing.” CJ confessed that they didn’t know where this would take them. “I started interviewing people, not knowing where it would go; the next interview I do will be number 150.”
The project has understandably been quite the undertaking for CJ, who has spent two years collecting materials from the Queer community. “I’ve spoken to so many different people; gay men, transgender women in the 1970s, lesbian activists of the 1980s, and such a broad age range too. The youngest is eighteen, and the oldest is 93.” CJ purposely kept the interviewee ‘criteria’ very broad, as to not exclude anyone that could have amazing stories to share. “Often people say they don’t have anything interesting to say, then when you interview them, you quickly realise they have loads. They could have owned something, or ran an event, or even attended a nightclub in 2000. That’s exactly what I’m looking for. As long as you’ve set foot in Nottingham, you can take part.”
Interviews explore the positive milestone moments in Nottingham's queer history, such as the woman who set up the first transgender meetup group in the 1970s. A huge feat for the time.
The interviewees are what make it so compelling, from reading their stories and learning their experiences first hand. They were what fed that initial drive for CJ, to preserve history. “There were so many powerful conversations, though one that always springs to mind is a gentleman I spoke to about their experience with being diagnosed with HIV and AIDS. He was such a wonderful speaker, I ended up staying with him for hours.” With such sensitive topics, the priority is to ensure that the whole story is told, from diagnosis, to treatment and beyond. “Younger generations need to understand what the older generations went through in terms of the AIDS crisis. I’m so incredibly grateful that he shared that with me. It isn’t easy to speak about; many people have developed PTSD and other conditions from their experience.”
Other interviews explore the positive milestone moments in Nottingham’s Queer history, such as the woman who set up the first transgender meetup group in the 1970s. A huge feat for the time, but beautiful to learn such a thing existed around fifty years ago. From speaking to CJ, it became apparent that the relationships formed from these conversations have made a big impact. “I’ve had so many great conversations, sometimes multiple with one person. It means I’ve developed friendships, which is truly wonderful.”
It’s not only the interviews in Nottingham CJ has collected, they have become somewhat of a regular in many archives across the country. “I’ve been running in and out of about eight or nine different archives. It’s taken me to London, Leeds, Liverpool, Sheffield, and of course Nottingham.” Their commitment to the cause is clear as day, and from one Queer to another, both very much needed, and appreciated.
It could be easy to believe that the depth of Nottingham’s Queer history is fairly shallow. However, upon CJ’s research, they spoke of how this was in fact the complete opposite. The project does have a set date range, from 1960 to 2019, though it wasn’t easy for them to pin this down. “It’s astounding how much you find. I spent last weekend chasing the story of a transgender woman from the 1910s in Nottingham. Her story was unfortunate, as were many back then; she ended up in court. Though, I was able to trace her through the workhouses, and see where she had been admitted. Then again into the 1930s, it was incredible to see Queer life that far back.”
It is worth noting that interviews for the book are now closed. Although people can still be interviewed for archival purposes. CJ explains, “You can come and talk any time you want to. The transcripts will be placed in The Sparrow’s Nest, as part of the Nottingham Queer History Archive.” Additionally, transcripts will be held in Bishopsgate, London, alongside any items donated to CJ and the project. “I will happily take anything; I had a donation of some badges from the 1980s, they’ve got a ‘fight Section 28’ badge in there, I saw it and said, ‘This is incredible!’”
In the midst of all this, CJ is currently on tour with their book Neuroqueer: A Neuro-Divergent Guide to Sex, and Everything In Between. CJ, who was in Leeds at the time of speaking shared, “It’s been incredible, I’m here now, Sheffield last week, London the week after the next, then I’ve got the Shambala Festival - it’s non-stop, but I’ve really enjoyed it.”
The book explores the differences of navigating sex as a person who is both neurodiverse and queer. It is a topic that is often overlooked, or shoved to the back of the book, and not given the detail it needs. CJ shared the frustration, “Nobody was writing about it, and that annoyed me. As a queer, non-binary person, I could not see any representation at the time. I never meant to be the person to change that, or write a book, but somehow I have.” Side note - for those of you who are interested (you should be), Notts’ favourite independent book store Five Leaves has it in stock.
Over the space of two years, they have extensively researched, collated and produced the works, all funded entirely on their own. Nor have any major institutions backed the project. Once a working day has finished, a new one commences. “Interviews after work, running to archives on my break, taking holidays in a place where there’s an archive - it all adds up.” It’s all been done by one person, which is a huge testament to how dedicated CJ is.
Along with helping to organise the Under the Rainbow exhibition at Broadway, which documented Nottingham’s Queer history, during early August CJ also arranged for the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt to be on display in Nottingham Central library. The piece tells the stories of many of those affected by the AIDS crisis in the 1980s and 1990s, with each panel commemorating a lost loved one. As it will be the first time it’s been back in since 1997, CJ was keen to share the importance of the artwork with us. “It may be the last time that it’s ever exhibited, because unfortunately over time some parts have become damaged. The wonderful people who look after the quilt, have been so amazing, even restoring parts of it. We have it for two weeks, and I can’t thank them enough for that.”
Pick up a copy of ‘Neuroqueer: A Neuro-Divergent Guide to Sex, and Everything In Between’ from Five Leaves Bookshop or the website below. If you’d like to contact CJ to be interviewed for the Queer History Archive and book, head to their website below.
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