Welcome to West Yorkshire Queer Stories

From Wetherby to Wakefield, Cleckheaton to Castleford, everyone has a memory worth sharing. From 2018-2020 West Yorkshire Queer Stories collected stories about LGBTIQ+ life, from the everyday to the extraordinary. We interviewed people from across the region to make sure that LGBTIQ+ voices were captured and conserved as part of local history.
Kirsty's queer zines
Kirsty's queer zines

We collected 200 stories from people of all ages and backgrounds, so you can hear Ian talking about Huddersfield’s famous Gemini Club in the 1980s, or Claye talking about setting up the Yorkshire trans choir in 2018. Lesbian motherhood, aversion therapy and intersex activism are just some of the topics we covered. So, dip into the clips or search for topics of interest to explore the rich history of LGBTIQ+ life in West Yorkshire. We hope you enjoy listening to the clips as much as we enjoyed recording them.

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Being feminine and queer

Being feminine and queer

Jess talks about coming out, labels, and issues of visibility as someone who is feminine-presenting.

Duration 06:48
Transphobia at work

Transphobia at work

Gem talks about starting a new job and experiencing institutional transphobia which almost made them give up the position.

Duration 04:06
A 'rebirth' in Huddersfield

A 'rebirth' in Huddersfield

When Melissa moved to Huddersfield to go to university, she decided to be completely out as a gay woman, and it was on Tinder that she found love.

Duration 01:18
Being a 'late bloomer'

Being a 'late bloomer'

Leo talks about developing M.E., which led to her being a 'late bloomer', and boxing up her feelings about sexuality.

Duration 05:38