}
OH420 Interview with Lesley Welch (OutStories Bristol)
Please note this is not a full complete transcript but a detailed summary of the recording
Track 1 [01:43:28] [Session 1: October 8th, 2012] Lesley Jane Welch [LW] born 9th August, 1948 in New Forest, Hampshire, UK. Father – pilot in Royal Navy, Mother did shop work prior to marriage.
[00:01:04] Early childhood memories of parents dying young and adoption by relative in Cornwall (approx. 4 ys old) [00:01:41] Relates earliest memories regarding sexuality, aged 10 [00:02:47] Memories of impact of adoption and LW’s poor behaviour as a result of the complicated care situation [00:05:06] Sense of being parcel passed around until about 15 yrs old. [00:05:34] Describes impact of adopted family’s desire to be seen as middle class and adopted mother’s coldness. [00:07:32] Describes desire to return to adoptive family after incident of abuse in foster care. [00:08:23] Describes living situation with adoptive mother and LW’s poor behaviour, especially with boys as saw heterosexuality as only option for relationships [00:09:22] Describes views of gay men and lesbians at time [00:10:38] Describes being married at 22 (1970) and thoughts about lesbianism for first time [00:11:31] Describes influences of growing up in a predominately female environment, speculates on sexuality of some teachers and crush on Maths teacher [00:13:56] Describes living in Tunisia with a Muslim boyfriend, leading to an interest in politics [00:16:15] Relates circumstances of first marriage, living in Spain, meeting gay men in Canaries and domestic violence in relationship [00:18:04] Return to England and end of marriage. Describes knowing that marriage was not what she wanted as a step to coming out.
[00:18:45] Oxfam job in Africa for 12 months (1976), realisation of the need for education and getting into Bristol University (commenced course in Sept, 1978) [00:21:28] Describes seeing a Psychiatrist at Brookes Centre regarding feelings about sex with men [00:22:28] Describes getting involved with Women’s Liberation Movement at University and meeting lesbians. Also relates getting pregnant and having first child, then circumstances of second child as a result of fear of attraction to best female friend. [00:23:35] Describes thoughts on meeting lesbians through Women’s Movement and an understanding of politics through experiences in Zaire, particularly the role of women [00:25:51] Interruption, track 1 finishes
Track 2 [00:49:51] [Session 1: 8th October, 2012] Lesley Jane Welch
[00:00:03] Recommence after interruption, continues discussing experiences in Zaire that were part of political awakening leading to self-description as socialist feminist and became involved in Women’s Aid in Bristol [00:02:58] Describes difficulties with some women who were separatists, wonders if this was part of fear of lesbianism. Describes network of women friends and barriers around relationships with male lovers [00:05:19] Describes joy of having children, circumstances of pregnancies and strong support of women friends [00:08:10] Describes falling in love with best friend and why the relationship did not last, but friendship is still strong [00:09:33] Talks about people who knew about her lesbian relationship (1987) and level of privacy partner wanted. Reasons for naming herself as a lesbian at this point, not gay. [00:11:05] Describes revelation of power of imposed heterosexuality and the choices she now had. Reflects on impact of childhood in shaping this sense of lack of choice. Describes feeling reborn after revelation, but also scared of relationships with women [00:14:01] Describes pleasure in seeing younger women involved in Bristol Feminist Network and the breaking down of taboos of same sex attraction.
[00:15:25] Impacts of Clause 28 (1988) and opposition to it. Discusses importance of being out, particularly at work, as a political statement [00:17:14] Discusses impact of her sexuality on her children when they grew up and attended secondary school and longer term impacts of being open about sexuality on now adult children and other family members [00:21:22] Describes social and support network when children were growing up, especially connection with Women’s Aid. Also describes difficulty of finding good male role models for her male children and other male children in care [00:25:45] Describes grown up sons’ personalities and their relationships [00:27:10] Discusses 12 months of work on Lesbian Line in 2010, how little used the helpline was and the decision to close the line down. Discusses the impact of Internet in helping people find information [00:31:44] Comments on negativity towards her about being a lesbian within her family, relates story of Aunt who rejected her and how this links to her family history [00:37:42] Describes how political changes of last decade have made it easier to challenge homophobia, see legislation as symbolic rather than powerful, relates incident at family gathering and general bigotry that is hard to change
[00:40:52] Describes not feeling particularly Bristolian and why, particularly because of inequities of division of wealth. Ponders idea of staying in Bristol in the future or moving. Relates a failed move to Cornwall at age 52 [00:45:58] Describes current activities and networks since retiring [00:46:26] Relates story of second child’s father’s reaction when LW come out and how this showed his arrogance to her [00:49:41]
Track 1 [01:43:28] [Session 1: October 8th, 2012] Lesley Jane Welch [LW] born 9th August, 1948 in New Forest, Hampshire, UK. Father – pilot in Royal Navy, Mother did shop work prior to marriage.
[00:01:04] Early childhood memories of parents dying young and adoption by relative in Cornwall (approx. 4 ys old) [00:01:41] Relates earliest memories regarding sexuality, aged 10 [00:02:47] Memories of impact of adoption and LW’s poor behaviour as a result of the complicated care situation [00:05:06] Sense of being parcel passed around until about 15 yrs old. [00:05:34] Describes impact of adopted family’s desire to be seen as middle class and adopted mother’s coldness. [00:07:32] Describes desire to return to adoptive family after incident of abuse in foster care. [00:08:23] Describes living situation with adoptive mother and LW’s poor behaviour, especially with boys as saw heterosexuality as only option for relationships [00:09:22] Describes views of gay men and lesbians at time [00:10:38] Describes being married at 22 (1970) and thoughts about lesbianism for first time [00:11:31] Describes influences of growing up in a predominately female environment, speculates on sexuality of some teachers and crush on Maths teacher [00:13:56] Describes living in Tunisia with a Muslim boyfriend, leading to an interest in politics [00:16:15] Relates circumstances of first marriage, living in Spain, meeting gay men in Canaries and domestic violence in relationship [00:18:04] Return to England and end of marriage. Describes knowing that marriage was not what she wanted as a step to coming out.
[00:18:45] Oxfam job in Africa for 12 months (1976), realisation of the need for education and getting into Bristol University (commenced course in Sept, 1978) [00:21:28] Describes seeing a Psychiatrist at Brookes Centre regarding feelings about sex with men [00:22:28] Describes getting involved with Women’s Liberation Movement at University and meeting lesbians. Also relates getting pregnant and having first child, then circumstances of second child as a result of fear of attraction to best female friend. [00:23:35] Describes thoughts on meeting lesbians through Women’s Movement and an understanding of politics through experiences in Zaire, particularly the role of women [00:25:51] Interruption, track 1 finishes
Track 2 [00:49:51] [Session 1: 8th October, 2012] Lesley Jane Welch
[00:00:03] Recommence after interruption, continues discussing experiences in Zaire that were part of political awakening leading to self-description as socialist feminist and became involved in Women’s Aid in Bristol [00:02:58] Describes difficulties with some women who were separatists, wonders if this was part of fear of lesbianism. Describes network of women friends and barriers around relationships with male lovers [00:05:19] Describes joy of having children, circumstances of pregnancies and strong support of women friends [00:08:10] Describes falling in love with best friend and why the relationship did not last, but friendship is still strong [00:09:33] Talks about people who knew about her lesbian relationship (1987) and level of privacy partner wanted. Reasons for naming herself as a lesbian at this point, not gay. [00:11:05] Describes revelation of power of imposed heterosexuality and the choices she now had. Reflects on impact of childhood in shaping this sense of lack of choice. Describes feeling reborn after revelation, but also scared of relationships with women [00:14:01] Describes pleasure in seeing younger women involved in Bristol Feminist Network and the breaking down of taboos of same sex attraction.
[00:15:25] Impacts of Clause 28 (1988) and opposition to it. Discusses importance of being out, particularly at work, as a political statement [00:17:14] Discusses impact of her sexuality on her children when they grew up and attended secondary school and longer term impacts of being open about sexuality on now adult children and other family members [00:21:22] Describes social and support network when children were growing up, especially connection with Women’s Aid. Also describes difficulty of finding good male role models for her male children and other male children in care [00:25:45] Describes grown up sons’ personalities and their relationships [00:27:10] Discusses 12 months of work on Lesbian Line in 2010, how little used the helpline was and the decision to close the line down. Discusses the impact of Internet in helping people find information [00:31:44] Comments on negativity towards her about being a lesbian within her family, relates story of Aunt who rejected her and how this links to her family history [00:37:42] Describes how political changes of last decade have made it easier to challenge homophobia, see legislation as symbolic rather than powerful, relates incident at family gathering and general bigotry that is hard to change
[00:40:52] Describes not feeling particularly Bristolian and why, particularly because of inequities of division of wealth. Ponders idea of staying in Bristol in the future or moving. Relates a failed move to Cornwall at age 52 [00:45:58] Describes current activities and networks since retiring [00:46:26] Relates story of second child’s father’s reaction when LW come out and how this showed his arrogance to her [00:49:41]
