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Good as you: From pride to prejudice – 30 years of gay Britain

Paul Flynn

In 1984 the pulsing electronics and soft vocals of Smalltown Boy would become an anthem uniting gay men. A month later, an aggressive virus, HIV, would be identified and a climate of panic and fear would spread across the nation, marginalising an already ostracised community. Yet, out of this terror would come tenderness and 30 years later, the long road to gay equality would climax with the passing of same sex marriage.

Paul Flynn charts this astonishing pop cultural and societal U-turn via the cultural milestones that effected change―from Manchester’s self-selection as Britain’s gay capital to the real-time romance of Elton John and David Furnish’s eventual marriage. Including candid interviews from major protagonists, such as Kylie, Russell T Davies, Will Young, Holly Johnson and Lord Chris Smith, as well as the relative unknowns crucial to the gay community, we see how an unlikely group of bedfellows fought for equality both front of stage and in the wings.

This is the story of Britain’s brothers, cousins and sons. Sometimes it is the story of their fathers and husbands. It is one of public outrage and personal loss, the (not always legal) highs and the desperate lows, and the final collective victory as gay men were final recognised, as Good As You.

This book is similar in the way that it explores the changed of the past towards the rights and equality for LGBTQ+ community. Although it does it through using a story at the beginning and developing into a investigation, I think that I want to remove this factor from my book; being a guide aimed towards a more open demographic. Meaning I need to remove the personal factor from the equation, this can be done by simply sticking to facts and using a range of imagery that doesn’t simply follow a single persons story at any point.

Queer City: Gay London from the Romans to the Present Day

Peter Ackroyd

Queer City Peter Ackroyd looks at London in a whole new way – through the history and experiences of its gay population. 

In Roman Londinium the city was dotted with lupanaria (‘wolf dens’ or public pleasure houses), fornices (brothels) and thermiae (hot baths). Then came the Emperor Constantine, with his bishops, monks and missionaries. And so began an endless loop of alternating permissiveness and censure.

Ackroyd takes us right into the hidden history of the city; from the notorious Normans to the frenzy of executions for sodomy in the early nineteenth century. He journeys through the coffee bars of sixties Soho to Gay Liberation, disco music and the horror of AIDS.

Today, we live in an era of openness and tolerance and Queer London has become part of the new norm. Ackroyd tells us the hidden story of how it got there, celebrating its diversity, thrills and energy on the one hand; but reminding us of its very real terrors, dangers and risks on the other. 

This is a good reference to look into for the fact it looks at the development of how gay culture has become what it has today over a series of time, although it investigates as far back as roman times and almost focuses on the history that has shaped today. Whereas in my book I wish to  focus mainly on what LGBTQ+ culture is now, and briefly explain what has made it that way.

Straight Jacket

Matthew Todd

Part sociological polemic and part self-help book, it zones in on some of the issues that disproportionately affect the gay community, from depression and anxiety to drug and alcohol addiction and body and eating disorders. I found myself both deeply upset and hugely relieved by its candour. After reading the book, tender as it is, you can't help but want to share your own experiences. Consider Straight Jacket a call to arms." * Independent (i) * "Matthew Todd thought he had long since dealt with the demons surrounding his sexuality. In [his] new book, he reveals the crisis of shame facing the gay community - and how to solve it." * The Observer * "Straight Jacket documents Todd's own childhood experiences, and the long-term mental health and addiction issues he has suffered; he is also using it to call for a government inquiry into the experiences of LGBT children at school." * Guardian * "Matthew Todd dares to shine a light on the dark legacy of gay shame [and] it's not a pretty sight...There are some uncomfortable and downright terrifying truths to be confronted in Todd's brilliant, essential new book. It's difficult to underestimate the importance of Straight Jacket. If you are struggling and want help and don't know where to look, this book is a great place to start. But even if you're not, [it] is by far one of the most important books you'll read this year." * Gay Community News Ireland *

Once again this guide focus’ on one persons own personal experience and offers information on how they see and believe the LGBTQ+ community is perceived. This again is a good reference as it is almost a guide for gay people on how to live happy, secure lives with relationships and call to arms for society to protect and support young people regardless of their sexuality. Whereas within my guide book I want to discuss the perception of the LGBTQ+ community in the public eye and give reasoning for elements that some may not understand, such as Pride, rather than advise on how to develop oneself within the community. Again I believe this book is too closed off to one particular demographic and it doesn’t open itself to appeal to a larger community, not just gay people.