The Log Books

Adam takes Tash on a deep dive of the artist FKA twigs: her style, her drive, her weirdness, and of course her delicious music. We covered the full range of her career and why she’s an icon for queers, women and weirdos. We love you, twigs! Discussed in this episode: Poni’s flip of Fallen Alien by FKA twigs Listen to ad-free episodes by supporting the show on Patreon . Aunt Nell:  Newsletter...

Tash got a tour of Bradford’s queer history with Alice Parsons, who runs the city’s Castles in the Sky project. We learnt all about the local Switchboard, the gay arts festival, the lesbian support line, and how these all stem from Bradford’s radical politics. Discussed in this episode: Amnesty International report on gender-critical movements and media  Castles in the Sky in Bradford Listen...

Tash has tuned into the secret sounds of electricity pylons (no, really) and discovered something unique about human connection and queer experience. We learnt about ‘sferics’ and about static electricity in the air, and how it affects us all. Discussed in this episode: Petition to call for a public inquiry into the impact of Section 28 Listen to ad-free episodes by supporting the show on Patreon...

Tash went down to Kings Cross in London to visit the newly re-opened Queer Britain museum. From nightclubs like Club Kali to footballers like Justin Fashanu, from the painter Carrington to dyke-themed folk songs, the museum captures every part of queer life. Thanks to Jennifer Shearman (curator) and Beau Brannick (assistant curator) and everyone at Queer Britain. -Adam + Tash Queer Britain’s websi...

It feels like life is pulling many of us down at the moment — so we asked each other: what do you do to stay afloat? We discuss swimming, solo cinema trips, birds and well-stocked food cupboards. The queer future starts here? -Adam + Tash Listen to ad-free episodes by supporting the show on Patreon . Aunt Nell:  Newsletter | Instagram | YouTube | website The Log Books is hosted and produced b...

Every Easter in San Francisco, there’s a competition to find the best hunky Jesus. We didn’t go to it, BUT we spoke to Sister Roma, one of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, the order of queer nuns that organises it. AND to filmmaker Jennifer Kroot who’s just made a film about the sisters and their search for hunky Jesus.  -Adam + Tash Films:  Hunky Jesus La Grazia Teenage Sex And Deat...

Why have one adolescence when you can have two? That’s the reality for many LGBTQ+ people. So let’s talk about what happens when you come out (or let people in), and unleash a whole new era on yourself. Sex, friendships, romance, lifestyle — all these things are up for grabs again a second time around for many queer people. Why is that? And what does psychology research say about it? -Adam + Tash...

We’ve got a star guest this week! Tino Orsini is a versatile character actor — you might have seen him playing the artist Banksy in Ted Lasso. For his next trick he’ll be on stage performing an intimate solo show about his own dark past. It’s all based around the time he tried to make it in Hollywood. We loved hearing Tino’s reflections on immigration, addiction, sex, family secrets and, of course...

Tash has been reading some intriguing studies about the psychology of lab rats — and has discovered something about themself in the process. So let’s talk about it! Join us while we gnaw on the topics of cages (real and imagined), being queer, and the power of nature. -Adam + Tash Discussed in this episode: The Well Gardened Mind by Sue Stuart-Smith Aunt Nell: Instagram | YouTube | website Th...

We make no secret that we’re obsessed with queer history and heritage. So in this episode Tash met Shoun Obana who’s created a zine called Inherent Vice, “for heritage professionals and enthusiasts alike”.  We’ve also got a poem by Tash, Dear Section 28. -Adam + Tash Discussed in this episode: Zine: Inherent Vice Radio poem: Dear Section 28, originally created for Short Cuts, series 33 , a Fa...

Sometimes you read a book and feel ‘this is a bit of me!’ That’s how we both felt reading An Army of Lovers Cannot Fail, so we wanted to talk about it. It’s a book about friendship, across generations, and the power of queer solidarity. So it also led us to two recent photography exhibitions too. -Adam + Tash Discussed in this episode: Book: An Army of Lovers Cannot Fail by Hélène Giannecchini Exh...

Oh, we do like to be beside the seaside…  Tash went for a swim (Adam went to the cafe), but we BOTH went to the Margate Queer Library and Archive, which is run by Sé Malaïka Nomyo. We also met Jen Scott, aka SHELLY GROTTO, who also told us about her work on Margate and Thanet’s queer history. Discussed in this episode: Space: Margate Queer Library and Archive Video: New Rumours on YouTube -Ad...

We’re relaunching your favourite podcast!  We’re Tash Walker and Adam Zmith, and EVERY WEEK we get together to talk about history, politics, art and LGBTQ+ life.  From us ageing millennials nattering on, to interviews with exciting people doing amazing things, The Log Books contain… the stories of our lives.  Let us know what you think of the new format, and what you think we should...

Tash and Adam listen to Abi McIntosh, our youngest interviewee!, who first listed her sexuality on MySpace... Abi also reflects on her experience of connecting with older queer Black people, and how this has changed how she sees herself. You can listen to Abi on the podcast Black And Gay, Back In The Day on Apple and Spotify . Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer...

Adam and Tash hear from Faizan, who co-founded Imaan, a network for queer Muslims. Faizan recalls what it felt like to be growing up as a British Pakistani queer person in London in the 80s, and the electricity of a first (good) kiss. Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened . Hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam Zmith Th...

Adam and Tash listen to Steph Fuller recall what it was like for trans women to go out on the town in the 90s. Steph reflects on growing up queer and trans, and what it meant to have places to go — in one of our most affecting and intimate interviews yet. Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened . Hosted and produced by Tas...

Tash and Adam hear from Monty Moncrieff, who took calls for Switchboard for years and now runs London Friend . Monty remembers what it was like to take difficult calls from LGBTQ+ people, and also to be listened to himself, when he gave his first interview in season 3 of The Log Books podcast. Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Lis...

Adam and Tash hear from Clare Truscott, a riotous femme punk who tirelessly serves her community and always has an abundance of stories to tell. Clare reflects on being a part of the podcast and being a lesbian in the 80s and 90s, and how more recently she’s been campaigning to end homophobia in care homes for older people. You can find out more about Clare’s work on Not Going In The Care Clo...

Tash and Adam listen to Catherine Lee, who qualified as a teacher in the late 80s at a time when it was impossible for lesbians like her to be open at work. Catherine reflects candidly on the impact of sharing her story on the original Log Books podcast, and how her life has transformed from shame to pride. Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Hel...

Tash and Adam hear from Richard Desmond, aka Switchboard’s once resident leather queen. Richard reflects on a life in the LGBTQ+ community, as a leatherman, a volunteer, a friend and lover. We love you, Richard. Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened . Hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam Zmith The voice of the log book...

Tash and Adam listen to Graham McKerrow, who was editor of the newspaper Capital Gay in the 80s. Graham reflects on his gay adolescence in the 70s, and how he and his partner transformed a South London house into a communal queer home. Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened . Hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam Zmith T...

Adam and Tash hear from Andy Piccos, whose memories of Switchboard stretch back to 1977.  Andy remembers the queer family he met through volunteering and living the gay life, and what it was like to come out to his biological, Greek Cypriot family. Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened . Hosted and produced by Tash Walke...

Tash and Adam catch-up with Femi Otitoju, one of the original contributors of The Log Books podcast, and one of Switchboard’s most valuable volunteers. Femi reflects on what it meant to have her memories recorded, and how she and others made sure that Switchboard served Black people and women. You can also listen to Femi speaking on the podcast Black And Gay, Back In The Day on Apple and Spotify ....

Our book is published TODAY! In this special episode, Tash and Adam read an exclusive excerpt from The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened, published by Faber & Faber. This is a huge milestone for The Log Books project, which started when Tash found the log books over ten years ago. If you listened to our first three seasons, we thank you for sticking with us. If...

Tash and Adam hear from Anson Mackay, who left a tiny, remote town in Scotland to embrace a gay identity, and then later another queer identity altogether. Anson reflects with trusting candour on their experiences through the 80s and 90s, and how people feel compelled to explore their gender even before the right words have arrived. Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of...