Today’s show started out slightly chaotically because our regular engineer, Seth, wasn’t available, and Paulette had to cover running the desk. We got there in the end, but there was a bit of mild panic in the process.

My guest for the first half hour was the thankfully unflappable Daryn Carter who helped me give an introduction to the various events happening in Bristol over LGBT History Month. In the second half hour we were joined by an amazing older lesbian, Patsy Staddon. She talked with great honesty and bravery about what it was like being a lesbian in the 1970s. What Patsy has to say about marriage equality is perhaps a little controversial, but I’m perfectly happy with people having whatever family arrangements suit them.

The first half of the show is available to listen to here.

The second half of the show begins with a pre-recorded interview with Nalo Hopkinson. My apologies for some of the sound quality. That appears to have been my microphone, which is a bit odd as I’ve done lots of podcasts with it. Thankfully Nalo herself is nice and clear, and she is awesome as always. We followed the interview with Paulette talking a bit about what it means to write in Jamaican, or indeed any other Caribbean language.

Finally I’m joined by Sarah Thorp of the Room 212 Gallery to talk abut some of the great new art projects happening in the Gloucester Road area. We make vague plans for a show about May Day, which I now need to write to Liz Williams about.

You can find the second hour of the show here.

Throughout February I will be playing music inspired by LGBT History month. Today there were several songs from my teenage years, and one that is bang up to date. Did I get to play the Tom Robinson Band and Against Me! on the radio? Why yes, I did. Hopefully you like the selection. Next week will be all gay disco anthems, because I am nothing if not eclectic in my musical tastes.