}
OH422 Interview with Kim Hackett-Jefferies (OutStories Bristol)
Please note this is not a full complete transcript but a detailed summary of the recording
Kim Hackett-Jefferies [KH] Born Devon, 1983. Age 29. Happy family life - one of 4 children – older sister came out when KH was 11 – accepting family. KH denied her sexuality for long time in teens. [00:07:20] “Somebody’d already taken that spot in the family.” – University at St Andrews Scotland; most students very conservative, private school backgrounds. – didn’t explore sexuality at uni. Only 1 relationship, with a male, unsuccessful. – after graduating spent a summer in Paignton and found it liberating, sexuality and need for relationship came to the fore – Post-grad degree at York, new friends. Came out to a straight friend and started relationship with a girl [later named as Michelle]. – quickly became ‘normalised’ part of life. – lasted 2.5 years. Joined rugby team at York, very attracted to another player – York in 2005; spent four years there on PhD – squeezed 2 years of work into the last 6 months – PhD in cultural history in 17th century – now works for universities funding council, on research funding. – [00:19:50] came to Bristol for the job – sister moved to Bath at same time so they shared a flat for 6 months – mentions Mandalyn’s [bar in Lansdown Road, Bath] and Bath Tap [bar in St James Parade] just before it closed as a gay pub – [00:23:10] moved to Bristol into a gay house, located through women’s social network – helped with social life – met future wife there – another housemate resented the relationship and became impossible to stay in the shared house in Horfield – KH works at Frenchay campus [University of West of England] – KH and partner spent lots of time at partner’s shared flat in Bishopston – then found a cottage in Westbury-on Trym, moved in together November 2010 – mentions partners family all living nearby – [00:26:50] getting dog called Apple – now together 2.5 years, got married in May 2012 – in Mortehoe, North Devon, with 100 guests, lovely occasion – partner’s name Erin – chose Mortehoe because of happy associations for Erin’s family and as couple with KH.
[00:30:00] – KH describes coming out to family “Coming out to my parents was more about telling them I was in a relationship than about telling them I was gay”. – describes close friend from teens who was gay – KH talked about that as a way in to telling parents – but put off the moment until parents were leaving at the station – only had 10 minutes so told them about girlfriend Michelle – gave no opportunity for parents to discuss, they were surprised – talked properly a few weeks later – had been difficult for parents when older sister came out – mentions father’s “dreams of walking down the aisle had gone up in flames” – [00:33:50] people’s reactions determined by how you tell them – KH uses human rights angle – doesn’t give them a chance to react badly - [00:35:00] “It’s just part of who I am and I’m telling you about it because you’re part of my life”. – Father is more conservative and had found her coming out more difficult – Mother more sympathetic – both now accepting of partner. [00:37:50] compares Bristol with York – contrasts. – KH didn’t find much LGBT activity in York, most friends were straight – only found gay pub in later part of first relationship – limited opportunities for socialising – mentions Leeds gay scene – Bristol has more variety and activities – [00:40:10] - involved in relaunch of Pride, 2010 – helped organise sports day. Included gay football and rugby teams, mentions football tournament, Gay Outdoors Club and Charlie [Beaton’s] Gay Cycling group. – “It was a really good experience to feel I’d played my part in helping Pride get on its feet; I met a load of lovely people...” mentions socialising at Wonky [monthly Club night] and Indigo [lesbian social network group] and how Pride work made her part of community – marshalling on Pride march, helped out with ticketing cinema events – [00:43:45] did less for Pride 2011 but some organising roles – no 2011 sports day – mentions tortured history of Pride in Bristol but KH did not understand that at the time – mentions key organisers Anna [Rutherford], Amy [Wilson] and Daryn [Carter] – [00:45:35] “They [Anna and Amy] did an amazing job in the sense that they both worked.. well, Anna particularly worked for free - she gave up her job and just did Pride for the two years that she ran it which was an amazing commitment. And on the face of it as an outsider... all three of them [Pride events] have been successful.” – mentions having to pay entry to Pride 2011 – can make it inaccessible to poorest people in society – [00:48:10] joining OutStories - introduced through Rosie [Buckland], KH’s former housemate who was already involved, KH knew Charlie from cycle rides – got involved about 3 months ago – mentions how studying history has informed her desire to record present day life – (break in interview).
V06_Hackett_pt2.wav [00:25:28] August 23 2012, Brislington, Bristol.
[00:00:01] – KH now living in Winterbourne Down north of Bristol – enjoys rural environment, dog walking, local pub etc – describes locality – moved in 6 weeks ago – good reception from neighbours who know Erin’s family, general level of acceptance among local people – [00:07:01] KH and Erin plan to adopt a child – Erin’s background in childcare and lots of children in their lives – mentions possibility of birth children later – discussed it early in their relationship – partner works for fostering agency – desire for them both to use their work lives to resolve social problems – [00:12:30] KH is out at work with no problem, 4 colleagues came to their civil partnership – need for work/life balance – work is accommodating re time needed for adoption evaluations – hope to be approved for adoption in 6 months – process of matching them with a child already progressed – [00:17:10] - describes lesbian life in Bristol – lots of opportunities - Liberty club night (usually 30-50 people), can’t remember venue - also mentions Indigo, and Amoeba cafe, Thursdays in Clifton, mainly women but some men – Unaware of many other lesbian social networks – discusses equality of rights for women and other disadvantaged groups rather than gay vs lesbian rights – lesbian social groups tend to be wide range of ages, views and ideas.
Kim Hackett-Jefferies [KH] Born Devon, 1983. Age 29. Happy family life - one of 4 children – older sister came out when KH was 11 – accepting family. KH denied her sexuality for long time in teens. [00:07:20] “Somebody’d already taken that spot in the family.” – University at St Andrews Scotland; most students very conservative, private school backgrounds. – didn’t explore sexuality at uni. Only 1 relationship, with a male, unsuccessful. – after graduating spent a summer in Paignton and found it liberating, sexuality and need for relationship came to the fore – Post-grad degree at York, new friends. Came out to a straight friend and started relationship with a girl [later named as Michelle]. – quickly became ‘normalised’ part of life. – lasted 2.5 years. Joined rugby team at York, very attracted to another player – York in 2005; spent four years there on PhD – squeezed 2 years of work into the last 6 months – PhD in cultural history in 17th century – now works for universities funding council, on research funding. – [00:19:50] came to Bristol for the job – sister moved to Bath at same time so they shared a flat for 6 months – mentions Mandalyn’s [bar in Lansdown Road, Bath] and Bath Tap [bar in St James Parade] just before it closed as a gay pub – [00:23:10] moved to Bristol into a gay house, located through women’s social network – helped with social life – met future wife there – another housemate resented the relationship and became impossible to stay in the shared house in Horfield – KH works at Frenchay campus [University of West of England] – KH and partner spent lots of time at partner’s shared flat in Bishopston – then found a cottage in Westbury-on Trym, moved in together November 2010 – mentions partners family all living nearby – [00:26:50] getting dog called Apple – now together 2.5 years, got married in May 2012 – in Mortehoe, North Devon, with 100 guests, lovely occasion – partner’s name Erin – chose Mortehoe because of happy associations for Erin’s family and as couple with KH.
[00:30:00] – KH describes coming out to family “Coming out to my parents was more about telling them I was in a relationship than about telling them I was gay”. – describes close friend from teens who was gay – KH talked about that as a way in to telling parents – but put off the moment until parents were leaving at the station – only had 10 minutes so told them about girlfriend Michelle – gave no opportunity for parents to discuss, they were surprised – talked properly a few weeks later – had been difficult for parents when older sister came out – mentions father’s “dreams of walking down the aisle had gone up in flames” – [00:33:50] people’s reactions determined by how you tell them – KH uses human rights angle – doesn’t give them a chance to react badly - [00:35:00] “It’s just part of who I am and I’m telling you about it because you’re part of my life”. – Father is more conservative and had found her coming out more difficult – Mother more sympathetic – both now accepting of partner. [00:37:50] compares Bristol with York – contrasts. – KH didn’t find much LGBT activity in York, most friends were straight – only found gay pub in later part of first relationship – limited opportunities for socialising – mentions Leeds gay scene – Bristol has more variety and activities – [00:40:10] - involved in relaunch of Pride, 2010 – helped organise sports day. Included gay football and rugby teams, mentions football tournament, Gay Outdoors Club and Charlie [Beaton’s] Gay Cycling group. – “It was a really good experience to feel I’d played my part in helping Pride get on its feet; I met a load of lovely people...” mentions socialising at Wonky [monthly Club night] and Indigo [lesbian social network group] and how Pride work made her part of community – marshalling on Pride march, helped out with ticketing cinema events – [00:43:45] did less for Pride 2011 but some organising roles – no 2011 sports day – mentions tortured history of Pride in Bristol but KH did not understand that at the time – mentions key organisers Anna [Rutherford], Amy [Wilson] and Daryn [Carter] – [00:45:35] “They [Anna and Amy] did an amazing job in the sense that they both worked.. well, Anna particularly worked for free - she gave up her job and just did Pride for the two years that she ran it which was an amazing commitment. And on the face of it as an outsider... all three of them [Pride events] have been successful.” – mentions having to pay entry to Pride 2011 – can make it inaccessible to poorest people in society – [00:48:10] joining OutStories - introduced through Rosie [Buckland], KH’s former housemate who was already involved, KH knew Charlie from cycle rides – got involved about 3 months ago – mentions how studying history has informed her desire to record present day life – (break in interview).
V06_Hackett_pt2.wav [00:25:28] August 23 2012, Brislington, Bristol.
[00:00:01] – KH now living in Winterbourne Down north of Bristol – enjoys rural environment, dog walking, local pub etc – describes locality – moved in 6 weeks ago – good reception from neighbours who know Erin’s family, general level of acceptance among local people – [00:07:01] KH and Erin plan to adopt a child – Erin’s background in childcare and lots of children in their lives – mentions possibility of birth children later – discussed it early in their relationship – partner works for fostering agency – desire for them both to use their work lives to resolve social problems – [00:12:30] KH is out at work with no problem, 4 colleagues came to their civil partnership – need for work/life balance – work is accommodating re time needed for adoption evaluations – hope to be approved for adoption in 6 months – process of matching them with a child already progressed – [00:17:10] - describes lesbian life in Bristol – lots of opportunities - Liberty club night (usually 30-50 people), can’t remember venue - also mentions Indigo, and Amoeba cafe, Thursdays in Clifton, mainly women but some men – Unaware of many other lesbian social networks – discusses equality of rights for women and other disadvantaged groups rather than gay vs lesbian rights – lesbian social groups tend to be wide range of ages, views and ideas.
