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

A paper flyer for 'Kitty Glitter Love The Knife' clubnight at Komedia basement on 20 Oct 2017 Kitty Glitter was a queer DJ collective running events in the early 2010s. Members went on to form Church of Italo in 2023.

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.

Le Gateau Chocolat shares the inredible stories behind his three submissions to the imaginary queer museum. Bewitching baritone Le Gateau Chocolat is a one-man, larger-than-life musical phenomenon. The six-and-half foot tall, six-inch heeled, wig-clad wonder swings wildly from one end of the musical spectrum to another, from disco, opera, musicals and pop. In this interview Le Gateau talks about his first time on stage, his operaTIC foremothers, and about his extravagant collection of plants... Recorded remotely on May 10, 2021 Interview by: Roni Guetta and David Sheppeard Editing and original music by Olive Mondegreen

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

Brighton Lesbian and Gay Pride, 15-25 May 1992, was organised by a small group of people under the name of Pink Parasol. In the run up to the event they produced a leaflet about their plans for Pride, which included the unveiling of a Lesbian & Gay Pride Memorial in the Old Steine. The leaflet announced the unveiling on Sunday 17 May 1992, and made it sound very much like it was a done deal with the council. "Brighton Council has pledged a central site on the Old Steine and has agreed to install and maintain the memorial. The granite slabs from which it is to be made are ready for work to begin. The design and wording has been consulted on and approved. "The memorial is a celebration of our Pride over the last quarter of a century. It is dedicated to the lives of ordinary lesbians and gay men who preceded us, to ourselves, and to the future equality of those who will follow us in this life". When a group of us gathered to attend the unveiling, we were surprised so see there was only a chalk outline of the memorial drawn on the ground, with the design beautifully brought to life with flowers. According to a news report in Capital Gay by Richard Smith, the council rejected the proposal very late in the day. One of the objections raised was that the Pride memorial was too close to the existing war memorial. Sadly the Pride Memorial was never realised in anything more than flowers.

Handmade 'lesbian are cool' bracelet and lesbian badge.

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)

Saturday 21st June - Brighton dykes congregate in joy and power post-march in the sun. A selection of hand made protest signs are held in pride and solidarity with trans friends and Palestine.

Flyer containing information about London Gay Pride events in July 1996. Events include LGBT Pride march at Hyde Park and Pride Festival held at Clapham Common for the first time. Schedule of the Cabaret tent and Bisexual tent at Pride Festival are detailed.

LOVEBOOTH NEW YEAR'S EVE, 31 December 2013 - 1 January 2014 Video shot and edited by Sharon Kilgannon at Alonglines Photography. The video documents the NYE event which took place at Phoenix Art Gallery.

Flyer advertising Lunch Positive, a weekly social group for people living with HIV in Brighton. Meetings were held every Friday in Dorset Gardens Methodist Church and involved sharing lunch and meeting and supporting other people with HIV.