Queer in Brighton

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February 2014 saw the launch of Queer in Brighton, a new anthology of oral histories, essays, creative writing and photography. Published by New Writing South in association with Photoworks and Pink Fringe.

“This project began life as an oral history project and grew into a fantastic journey of discovery for everyone involved.” says Lesley Wood, Project Coordinator. “We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of people who gave their time and their wonderful stories to make Queer in Brighton a success. Volunteers have written, told, recorded and transcribed their stories; they’ve taken or loaned photographs, shared memorabilia and contributed in a dozen other ways to help up capture a kaleidoscope of queer life in this unique city, and the book and exhibition are just two of the fantastic outcomes of the project.”

The anthology has many layers: it includes creative writing by established and published authors through to people who have never written before; excerpts from oral histories of people’s experience of Brighton recorded and then transcribed; four essays by academics on the project’s core themes of place, language, politics and family; and a visual element of collected photographs and memorabilia as well as portraits which form the photographic exhibition.