Graham MacIntosh (1969-1972)

BA Sociology and Economics

"We met in December 1970 and got involved in starting Liverpool Gay Soc, the forerunner of Liverpool LGBT. As members of Campaign for Homosexual Equality (CHE) Liverpool, we were in touch with other CHE groups and in the general ferment of the Post-Wolfenden era.

The first UK GaySoc was formed in Manchester in 1970. In conjunction with a large national meeting of CHE in Manchester, a small number of Liverpool student attendees floated the idea of forming a GaySoc in Liverpool. Liverpool GaySoc started sometime in 1971 and had its first stall at Fresher’s week in autumn.

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. We also wanted 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.

Activities included regular GaySoc meetings, organising group social events and open discos in the Guild facilities, as a way of raising our profile."