I’ve just carried out my first interview, with Tristan from the LGBTQ society at the University of Huddersfield. Tristan talked about how he accidentally became a ‘professional activist’ working on issues that needed improving at the university. Tristan’s selflessness and commitment to his activism is second to none, so it’s no surprise that he was named the NUS trans activist of the year.
It is really impressive to hear that somebody who is just the same age as me has been involved in so much, including the Stonewall Young Trans Campaigners Programme. Tristan is now using his knowledge and experience to help others, and has recently helped to set up a trans support meeting at the university.
It was great to listen to Tristan talking about recent LGBTIQ+ history, but now I’m keen to speak to someone older, who was around in Huddersfield in the 70s and 80s, to find out what was going on. I know from my own research that the Gemini Nightclub was very popular with gay/bi men in the late 70s and 80s. (Rumour has it Paul O’Grady used to go there!) The club was raided so often by the police that the decision was made to move the national pride to Huddersfield in 1981. It would be amazing to hear stories about that time from the people who were there.
