Gay Britannia: Celebrating LGBTQ+ History in Britain

by Stephen Fry (Narrator), Graham Norton (Narrator), Susan Calman (Narrator)

A collection of insightful interviews, documentaries and comedy that celebrates LGBTQ+ in Britain, publishing to coincide with the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewallriots.

The Ben Hunte Presenter and journalist Ben Hunte interviews his LGBTQ heroes about their unforgettable gay moments. Guests include Paul O’Grady, Stephen K Amos, Peter Tatchell, Ruth Hunt (CEO of Stonewall), Stephanie Hirst, Youtuber Calum McSwiggan.

The The Love That Wrote Its Simon Callow, Stella Duffy, Gregory Woods, Neel Mukherjee and Louise Welsh explore and celebrate five gay relationships of writers and artists.

Queer Plato’s Shahidha Bari discusses LGBTQ in the history of philosophy.

Who Decides if Gay is OK?: What brought about decriminalisation in the UK and why has it not happened in Zambia, which largely inherited the British legal system?

Highlights from Front Row’s Queer Icons Celebrating LGBTQ culture from the poetry of Sappho to the songs of Frank Ocean, guests are asked to champion a piece of LGBTQ artwork that is special to them. Presented by Alan Carr, with guests including Mary Portas, Olly Alexander, Christine and the Queens, Stella Duffy, and the Oscar-winning writer of Moonlight, Tarell Alvin McCraney.

Happy That Special compilation programme made in 2017 celebrating the best out and proud BBC Radio comedy from the past five years. Features Susan Calman, Graham Norton, Stephen Fry, Sue Perkins, Al Porter, Mae Martin, Stephen K Amos, Suzi Ruffell, Paul Sinha and Sandi Toksvig.

Genres: Nonfiction, LGBT, Audiobook, Politics, History, Biography, Gay

Audible Audio

First published June 20, 2019

About the author

Stephen John Fry is an English comedian, writer, actor, humourist, novelist, poet, columnist, filmmaker, television personality and technophile. As one half of the Fry and Laurie double act with his comedy partner, Hugh Laurie, he has appeared in A Bit of Fry and Laurie and Jeeves and Wooster. He is also famous for his roles in Blackadder and Wilde, and as the host of QI. In addition to writing for stage, screen, television and radio he has contributed columns and articles for numerous newspapers and magazines, and has also written four successful novels and a series of memoirs.

See also Mrs. Stephen Fry as a pseudonym of the author.

Reviews

[Wayne F · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the information this provided a wider look at the LGBTQIA+ experience in the UK from celebs or well-known people. It was interesting and engaging, I also enjoyed reading about the variety of experiences and personal views on the LGBTQIA+ community. The diversity from age to gender to race and how each LGBTQIA+ own personal lens affects their views on themselves and others from their community (even if I didn't always agree). I enjoyed that it included interviews, statements, references to other artworks that inspired/helped people in their experience. The essays/debates as well were interesting. However it was less successful in making all of these things flow into one narrative that fit together, it felt chunky and piecemeal. I think it was missing a central narrative (other than you are LGBTQIA+) even essay collections or short story narratives have that natural flow. I also thought at times it was repetitive, so could have done with tighter editing. The other reason this was less than 5 stars for me was I felt that it was a bit too male/gay heavy and other LBTQIA+ celebs could have been included to give a better-balanced representation.

[Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is essentially interviews with + essay about various LGBTQ+ icons and pioneers from britain
it's fair to say some views in this book are more progressive than others, but there's definitely some important about hearing views on LGBTQ+ rights, straight from the horses' mouths, and it made me happy happy happy to hear these people thriving

[Marcus Bines · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a book at all, but a collection of radio excerpts strung together to mark 50 years since the decriminalisation of homosexual activity in 1967. Informative, funny and movingly personal in different sections, but not very coherent for anyone wishing to really understand the experience of the LGBTQ+ community. There are other books out there that will do that I'm sure.

[Annkathrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, poignant, and from the heart. A compilation of interviews, stories, comedy acts and investigative looks at modern and historical issues affecting LGBTQ life in the UK, from the political and social to the everyday and the ridiculous. A good listen no matter your orientation or gender.

[Stuart Wakefield · Rating 3 out of 5]

An eclectic collection of BBC transmissions on the theme of what it means to be gay in the UK. I found most of it engaging, although I was puzzled by some episodes about gay people who admired people from other countries. I found that jarring.

[Diana Turchi · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting compilation showcase what it means to be queer in the UK. Definitely educated me on some of the history around legislation change and how the community evolved and banded together.

[Sarah Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got much better after the first few chapters! Enjoyable listen

[Liam Claffey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok, good start with interviews with various people but then the narrative changes about half way through and turns to studies / discussions - difficult to follow in parts.

[Miles Row · Rating 1 out of 5]

Some really positive bits but ruined by Paul O'Grady's anti intersex comments and nothing talking about why intersex rights are important.

[Fionn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely made for radio and not that thrilling when all pieced together. Definitely not bad though!

[Emily mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very insightful and inspirational, fab book, a must read

[Marge Shelton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good stuff.

[Kira K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughts:
An important collection of interviews, essays and comedy to highlight the progress the LGBTQ+ community have made and the way we still have to go.

[Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re considering picking this up, it’s worth being aware this isn’t really a ‘typical’ audiobook. It’s a series of shows broadcast on BBC Radio covering a wide range of topics, from activists and celebrities discussing their experiences or key moments, to sections of history and interviews, put together to form the ‘audiobook’.

It feels like a series of not-really-related podcasts strung together, and I think having more of a ‘bridge’ between the different sections could have made this that bit easier to listen to. As it is, I do think it’s an incredibly valuable snapshot of LGBTQ+ life and history in Britain, and it does cover a wide range of experiences. These kind of ‘records’ are so important for queer history that’s always relied on voice(s) rather than written text, and definitely for younger folks it’s important to understand the history of the queer community from those who have lived it themselves.

I think this is where this really shines – it puts these voices first, in an anthology of interviews, snippets of comedy shows, and with some history thrown in. It’s a worthwhile listening experience, and a really good starting point for anyone who wants to ‘dig in’ to LGBTQ+ history more. Even with the parts – or people – I disagree with, I still think there’s value in hearing their words and experiences.

Although it’s different and not a traditional audiobook, I do think it’s incredibly useful and, as mentioned above, a valuable addition to queer history.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this - it was a good mix of interviews with famous and/or activists in the LGBT community, documentary, intellectual discussion, and comedy. The only thing that would have made it better is if it was more inclusive of the broad Queer community - it primarily focuses on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender issues, which are of course important, but a few broader representations would have been good too.