Historian to host reunion of Brighton’s ‘queer pioneers’
15 December 2021
https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/19784596.historian-host-reunion-brightons-queer-pioneers/
MEMBERS of a gay liberation group which organised the first Pride event in the city are hosting a reunion.
The Sussex Gay Liberation Front organised Brighton’s first Pride march in 1973, with uncovered photos from the event featured in an exhibition earlier this year.
After hearing about the exhibition, one of the people in the photos got in touch with historian Alf Le Flohic from the Gay Brighton Past Facebook group and asked if he was in contact with other members from the group.
Alf said he was thrilled to hear from him and has organised a reunion event this afternoon for members to exchange their memories of their fight for LGBTQ+ rights.
He said: “It’s the first time some of them have seen each other in almost fifty years, so they have a lot to catch up on.
“So much has changed, politically and personally. They survived the AIDS epidemic of the 80s and 90s, but will have lost friends and lovers in the process – so I will have some tissues on hand.”
Were you a queer pioneer?
Alf plans to interview as many people who were involved in the gay liberation movement in Brighton during the 1970s as possible to publish a book about their bravery and impact locally and nationally.
The first Brighton Pride was held in 1973, with the Lavender Line – now known as the Brighton and Hove LGBT Switchboard – set up in 1975.
Alf said the LGBTQ+ activists in the city at the time were “queer pioneers”.
Former members of the organisation interested in attending should contact Alf by email at sussexgaylib@gmail.com.
