John Greenman (1969-1976)

BSc Life Sciences; BSc (Hons) Microbiology; PhD Oral Microbiology

"We met in December 1970 and got involved in starting Liverpool Gay Soc, the forerunner of Liverpool LGBT. As members of C.H.E. Liverpool we were in touch with other C.H.E groups and in the general ferment of the Post-Wolfenden era and the subsequent decriminalisation of the law regarding homosexual acts between consenting adults. At this time all sorts of developments were happening, among them being a high level of public discussion about sexuality; GLF from America and the UK and the 1968/1969 student ‘revolution’.

If our memory is right the first UK GaySoc was formed in Manchester sometime in 1970. In conjunction with a large national meeting of C.H.E in Manchester, a small number of Liverpool student attendees floated the idea of forming a GaySoc in Liverpool. We believe that Liverpool GaySoc started sometime in 1971 and had its first stall at Freshers' week in autumn 1971.

The primary reason for setting up GaySoc was to have a group of people of similar age meet and discuss Gay Issues and socialise in a non-commercial and non-threatening setting. This was to some extent a reaction to the predatory chicken hawks in the pub and club scene. We used to go to the pubs and clubs as a group to enable us to look out for each other.

Close to the above reason was to continue with the basic campaigns for gay rights, self-awareness and political awareness. On reflection it was perhaps central to the existence of GaySoc that ‘coming out’ was seen as a major step in personal liberation and as a political/campaigning action. Then, as now, for some people it was always a step too far. Nevertheless the group supported individuals who chose to come out to whatever degree was right for them at that time. Our recollection was that there was support from the student guild with little if any overt opposition.

Activities included regular GaySoc meetings, organising group social events and open discos in the Guild facilities, as a way of raising our profile. As a matter of interest, a few of the GaySoc members were also in the karate club (to learn self defence) and recruited some of the other karate lot to act as ‘bouncers’ at the open discos in case there was any trouble or trouble makers! - There was none. Members also attended national conferences on campaigning issues and worked closely with C.H.E and to some extent G.L.F.

There was no overt reaction from the University but it is certainly true that the covert discrimination was extensive. Negative reactions were as expected most noticeably from some of the Christian groups. Individual instances of discrimination regularly came to light and as a group strategies to challenge such cases were devised and acted upon."