Aunt Nell

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Channel • 9 Shows

Nature

Nature

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History

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Society & Culture

Society & Culture

Monthly
History

History

Updated 31/07/2025
Health & Fitness

Health & Fitness

Updated weekly
Society & Culture

Society & Culture

Updated weekly
History

History

Updated weekly

27/12/2021

“Interested and willing” | Episode 8

In the 90s more and more lesbians called Switchboard to ask where they could get hold of sperm. All sorts of LGBTQI+ people in the period sought to make families outside of conventional methods and constraints. In this episode, Tash and Adam hear stories from the people who pioneered queer family-making. We also catch-up with some folks who have their own experiences and opinions on what queer family means to them today. Content warning: homophobia Transcript here. The Log Books — stories from Britain’s LGBTQI+ history and conversations about being queer today. Produced by Shivani Dave, Tash Walker and Adam Zmith, in partnership with Switchboard - the LGBT+ helpline. With thanks to the Bishopsgate Institute. Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. For more information about the themes in this episode, take a look at: NHS info: having a baby if you’re LGBT+ Stonewall: parenting rights COTS: Childlessness Overcome Through Surrogacy PACT: Parents and Children Together Music by Tom Foskett-Barnes Artwork by Natalie Doto https://www.thelogbooks.org Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thelogbooks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27/12/2021

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1h 7m
30/12/2019

Closing The Log Books | Episode 9

Hello listeners, thank you for joining us through the laughter and tears of queer life in Britain from 1974 to 1982. In this final episode of our first season, Adam and Tash reflect on the stories we’ve all heard. We love hearing your reactions to the stories we’re telling too. Please keep them coming! Transcript here. The handwritten notes in Switchboard’s log books continue through the difficult years of the 80s. So we are planning to make a second season, covering 1983 to the early 90s. If you can help with funding, ideas or would like to share your story from those years, please email us on hello@thelogbooks.org. — Shivani, Tash and Adam The Log Books — stories from Britain’s LGBT+ history and conversations about being queer today. Produced by Shivani Dave, Adam Smith and Tash Walker, in partnership with Switchboard - the LGBT+ helpline. Music by Tom Foskett-Barnes Artwork by Natalie Doto https://www.thelogbooks.org Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thelogbooks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

30/12/2019

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7 min
30/11/2020

“Damage caused” | Episode 3

Bottling attacks and cruel newspaper editorials — this is the story of how the HIV/AIDS crisis hit the LGBTQ+ community in the 80s. Through Switchboard’s unique log book entries, Tash and Adam also uncover the story of a very special volunteer who handled the hardest calls you can imagine. This episode concludes the three-part set of episodes on HIV/AIDS in Season Two, before we move on to other stories found in the log books. Content warning: Illness, death, archaic language, and ill-treatment and discrimination of people living with HIV and AIDS. Transcript here. The Log Books — stories from Britain’s LGBT+ history and conversations about being queer today. Produced by Shivani Dave, Tash Walker and Adam Zmith, in partnership with Switchboard - the LGBT+ helpline. With thanks to the Bishopsgate Institute and the BFI National Archive. TV clip from The London Programme produced by London Weekend Television, 08/03/1985. For more information about the themes in this episode, take a look at: From organisations: All about HIV from the Terrence Higgins Trust All about PrEP from Prepster National Aids Trust, the UK’s HIV rights charity Positively UK, advocates for and supporters of people living with HIV Positive East, health and wellbeing for people living with HIV The National AIDS Map, which grew out of Switchboard! Tonic Living, which seeks to build LGBT+ affirming retirement communities TV: BBC Horizon Killer in the Village from 1983 Podcasts: From Probably True with Scott Flashheart: Doctor part 1 Doctor part 2 Plague Books: Policing Desire by Simon Watney The End of Innocence by Simon Garfield AIDS: Don’t Die of Prejudice by Norman Fowler Music by Tom Foskett-Barnes Artwork by Natalie Doto https://www.thelogbooks.org Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thelogbooks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

30/11/2020

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50 min
03/01/2022

“Not suitably dressed” | Episode 9

Rubber? Feet? Piss? Flogging? Role play? What’s your kink? In this episode Tash and Adam listen to dozens of dirty stories from the LGBTQI+ community in the 90s. From the publicly funded multi-gender kink night at the London Lesbian and Gay Centre to people wearing nappies and S&M dykes — this episode is raw, sexy, hilarious... and you’ll never be the same again. We also speak to Alex (the DJ Kiwi) from Crossbreed and Matt Skully about running kinky events and club nights today. Content warning: extreme sex practices and state homophobia Transcript here. The Log Books — stories from Britain’s LGBTQI+ history and conversations about being queer today. Produced by Shivani Dave, Tash Walker and Adam Zmith, in partnership with Switchboard - the LGBT+ helpline. With thanks to the Bishopsgate Institute. Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Music by Tom Foskett-Barnes Artwork by Natalie Doto https://www.thelogbooks.org Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thelogbooks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

03/01/2022

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1h 3m
11/01/2021

“No reason whatsoever to doubt” | Episode 9

From 1983 to 1991, calls to Switchboard about rape and domestic violence increased in number. So in this episode Tash and Adam hear some of those stories and ask volunteers from the time to share their experience of supporting survivors. This episode also features an account of how Switchboard evolved in order to improve how it handled calls about violence, and an update on how these matters are handled today by GALOP, the LGBT+ anti-violence charity. Content warning: domestic violence, abusive relationships, rape and sexual consent, and suicide. The Log Books — stories from Britain’s LGBT+ history and conversations about being queer today. Produced by Shivani Dave, Tash Walker and Adam Zmith, in partnership with Switchboard - the LGBT+ helpline. With thanks to the Bishopsgate Institute and the BFI National Archive. For more information, take a look at: Get help from GALOP SurvivorsUK for help with male rape and sexual abuse Book: In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado Music by Tom Foskett-Barnes Artwork by Natalie Doto https://www.thelogbooks.org Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thelogbooks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

11/01/2021

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39 min
20/12/2021

“The inability of others to understand” | Episode 7

There is still so much work to be done in making sure LGBTQI+ people with disabilities have what they need, but the 90s saw a definite shift in the right direction. Legal change, growing awareness, and a place at the front of the Pride march. In this episode, Tash and Adam hear from queer disability rights campaigners and, of course, Switchboard volunteers about handling calls about intersecting identities. They also catch up with Erin Ekins about the experience of being queer and neurodivergent today. Content warning: archaic language around disability. Transcript here. The Log Books — stories from Britain’s LGBTQI+ history and conversations about being queer today. Produced by Shivani Dave, Tash Walker and Adam Zmith, in partnership with Switchboard - the LGBT+ helpline. With thanks to the Bishopsgate Institute. Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. For more information about the themes in this episode, take a look at: Para Pride: Pride. In. Everyone. Regard: Supporting Disabled LGBTQ people Music by Tom Foskett-Barnes Artwork by Natalie Doto https://www.thelogbooks.org Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thelogbooks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

20/12/2021

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50 min
07/12/2020

“A hedgehog in my kitchen” | Episode 4

Some light and laughter in our fourth episode of this season! Tash and Adam hear memories of joy and strength from 1983 to 1991, through the log books at Switchboard and stories from people who remember those years. We also feature the Lesbian Strength Marches, Switchboard’s one-millionth call and an interview with Thigh High, the band who centre their music on queer joy. Transcript here. The Log Books — stories from Britain’s LGBT+ history and conversations about being queer today. Produced by Shivani Dave, Tash Walker and Adam Zmith, in partnership with Switchboard - the LGBT+ helpline. With thanks to the Bishopsgate Institute and the BFI National Archive. Songs by Thigh High featured in this episode, Go Slow and Nannas on the Rampage, used with kind permission of the band. Listen to Thigh High on Spotify. Music by Tom Foskett-Barnes Artwork by Natalie Doto https://www.thelogbooks.org Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thelogbooks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

07/12/2020

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39 min
28/12/2020

“Fatally disruptive” | Episode 7

In 1988 the British government passed explicitly anti-gay legislation. Through log book entries from Switchboard, Tash and Adam return to the scene: lawmakers spaffing about what constitutes a family, gay teachers zipping up and living in fear, and bewildered young people with seemingly nowhere to turn to for advice. This episode is filled with untold stories about Section 28 of the Local Government Act and the censorship of LGBTQ+ lives — and concludes with the joyous launch of a new kids’ book by Olly Pike called Kenny Lives With Erica and Martina. Content warning: attacks on LGBTQ+ people, including language that some people may find offensive. Transcript here. The Log Books — stories from Britain’s LGBT+ history and conversations about being queer today. Produced by Shivani Dave, Tash Walker and Adam Zmith, in partnership with Switchboard - the LGBT+ helpline. With thanks to the Bishopsgate Institute and the BFI National Archive. TV clip from Gay Rights – The London Programme, produced by LWT, April 10th, 1987. TV clip from Back In The Closet, produced by Thames TV, January 14th, 1988. For more information about Section 28, take a look at: Section 28 detailed history from the LGBT+ History Forum Music by Tom Foskett-Barnes Artwork by Natalie Doto https://www.thelogbooks.org Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thelogbooks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

28/12/2020

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37 min
18/11/2019

"Let's not shy away from sex" | Episode 3

A quick glimpse into Switchboard’s log books from the late 70s might make you think that every caller wanted to know about sex. Tash and Adam hear from former volunteers such as Femi Otitoju on advising callers about how to do it, where to cruise, and importing sex toys. Contemporary poems from Michelle Mangal, Annie Hayter and Richard Scott put sex lives into modern words. Content warning: sexual content. The Log Books — stories from Britain’s LGBT+ history and conversations about being queer today. Produced by Shivani Dave, Adam Smith and Tash Walker, in partnership with Switchboard - the LGBT+ helpline. Transcript here. Poems: Mooncup by Michelle Mangal Public Toilets in Regent's Park by Richard Scott, reproduced with the kind permission of Faber and Faber God-birth by Annie Hayter For more information about the items in this episode, take a look at: Mens R Us info for men having sex with men Unexpected Fluids podcast Beating about the bush sexual health guide for lesbians Lesbian Sex 101 Back Pocket Guide Trans Men Juno Roche on her book Queer Sex Risk Aware Consensual Kink Music by Tom Foskett-Barnes Artwork by Natalie Doto https://www.thelogbooks.org Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thelogbooks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

18/11/2019

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30 min
1 JAN

Switchboard’s first night | Episode 1

Adam and Tash’s first guest is John Lindsay, one of the founders of Switchboard, the national LGBTQIA+ helpline. John takes us back to the first night in the phoneroom in 1974, when a ragtag gang of queers listened out for that first phone call. 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 books: Serena James Assistant producer: Marnie Woodmeade Engineer: David Pye Music: Tom Fosket-Barnes Original artwork: Natalie Doto Thanks to the Bishopsgate Institute; our publisher, Faber Books; the dreamboats at Acast; the staff and volunteers at Switchboard, and all the contributors who shared their stories. Episode transcripts available here. Call Switchboard on 0800 0119 100, email hello@switchboard.lgbt or instant message via www.switchboard.lgbt. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thelogbooks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 Jan

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29 min

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