}
OH421 Interview with Michael Williams (OutStories Bristol)
Please note this is not a full complete transcript but a detailed summary of the recording
[00:01:19] Describes early childhood memories of school, very positive memories [00:03:10] Describes going to Teacher Training College in Winchester, Hampshire. Describes parents visiting college on MW’s birthdays at college, odd as parents are Jehovah Witnesses (JW), as JW church doesn’t celebrate birthdays. [00:04:46] First teaching posts in Bedminster, then at Lockleaze as very positive. Discusses lack of social life at time [00:07:11] Relates first sense of same sex attraction and first sexual experiences with older men at 15 yrs age (~1949). Discuss father’s concern that MW did not have girlfriends [00:09:05] Leaves home at 22 yrs age (~1956), bought own bungalow [00:10:25] Describes life after leaving home, meeting current partner (Lionel) [00:11:33] Discusses progression of relationship with Lionel, parental reaction and reactions of others [00:13:48] Personal reactions to being a teacher in 1970s and 1980s and separation of personal and professional lives [00:15:26] Talks about friends, social circle, going to theatre and concerts [00:16:11] Differences between MW and Lionel on religious views, length of relationship (46 years)
[00:16:58] Describes conducting humanist ceremonies for same sex couples - funerals, Affirmation of Commitment Ceremonies [00:18:46] Describes own Civil Partnership and reasons for doing this [00:20:56] Describes on-going teaching career at Bristol Technical College and links to the Brunel society [00:22:39] Discusses lack of discrimination, colleagues’ knowledge of MW’s sexuality and lack of student bullying about sexuality [00:23:30] Describes becoming a Tutor Librarian and enjoying work [00:25:40] Describes enjoyment of living in Bristol over time, relates going to Radnor (gay bar) once. Suggests strict upbringing meant not going to bars and preferring to entertain within a small circle of friends [00:27:26] Describes travel away from Bristol, including student trips [00:29:02] Discusses lack of interest in visiting gay venues in UK and abroad. Only knew about the Radnor and The Old Duke (pub) in Bristol [00:30:42] Discusses managing discrepancy between strict religious upbringing and living as a gay man [00:31:38] Describes life before meeting partner and lack of places to meet people [00:32:16] Describes involvement with Gay West and social activities [00:33:04] [INTERRUPTION AS PHONE RINGS].
Track 2 [00:03:26] [Session 1: October, 29th, 2012] Michael Williams [MW]
[00:00:03] Interview resumes. [00:00:34] Describes changes seen over 50 years, not being involved in pub scene and how important work and relationship have been [00:02:08] Sums up teaching career until retirement about 20 years earlier (~1992) [00:02:47] Describes time since retirement [00:03:01] Sums up how fulfilling life has been.
[00:01:19] Describes early childhood memories of school, very positive memories [00:03:10] Describes going to Teacher Training College in Winchester, Hampshire. Describes parents visiting college on MW’s birthdays at college, odd as parents are Jehovah Witnesses (JW), as JW church doesn’t celebrate birthdays. [00:04:46] First teaching posts in Bedminster, then at Lockleaze as very positive. Discusses lack of social life at time [00:07:11] Relates first sense of same sex attraction and first sexual experiences with older men at 15 yrs age (~1949). Discuss father’s concern that MW did not have girlfriends [00:09:05] Leaves home at 22 yrs age (~1956), bought own bungalow [00:10:25] Describes life after leaving home, meeting current partner (Lionel) [00:11:33] Discusses progression of relationship with Lionel, parental reaction and reactions of others [00:13:48] Personal reactions to being a teacher in 1970s and 1980s and separation of personal and professional lives [00:15:26] Talks about friends, social circle, going to theatre and concerts [00:16:11] Differences between MW and Lionel on religious views, length of relationship (46 years)
[00:16:58] Describes conducting humanist ceremonies for same sex couples - funerals, Affirmation of Commitment Ceremonies [00:18:46] Describes own Civil Partnership and reasons for doing this [00:20:56] Describes on-going teaching career at Bristol Technical College and links to the Brunel society [00:22:39] Discusses lack of discrimination, colleagues’ knowledge of MW’s sexuality and lack of student bullying about sexuality [00:23:30] Describes becoming a Tutor Librarian and enjoying work [00:25:40] Describes enjoyment of living in Bristol over time, relates going to Radnor (gay bar) once. Suggests strict upbringing meant not going to bars and preferring to entertain within a small circle of friends [00:27:26] Describes travel away from Bristol, including student trips [00:29:02] Discusses lack of interest in visiting gay venues in UK and abroad. Only knew about the Radnor and The Old Duke (pub) in Bristol [00:30:42] Discusses managing discrepancy between strict religious upbringing and living as a gay man [00:31:38] Describes life before meeting partner and lack of places to meet people [00:32:16] Describes involvement with Gay West and social activities [00:33:04] [INTERRUPTION AS PHONE RINGS].
Track 2 [00:03:26] [Session 1: October, 29th, 2012] Michael Williams [MW]
[00:00:03] Interview resumes. [00:00:34] Describes changes seen over 50 years, not being involved in pub scene and how important work and relationship have been [00:02:08] Sums up teaching career until retirement about 20 years earlier (~1992) [00:02:47] Describes time since retirement [00:03:01] Sums up how fulfilling life has been.
