Share

cover art for "Let's not shy away from sex" | Episode 3

The Log Books

"Let's not shy away from sex" | Episode 3

Season 1, Ep. 3

A quick glimpse into Switchboard’s log books from the late 70s might make you think that every caller wanted to know about sex. Tash and Adam hear from former volunteers such as Femi Otitoju on advising callers about how to do it, where to cruise, and importing sex toys. Contemporary poems from Michelle Mangal, Annie Hayter and Richard Scott put sex lives into modern words.


Content warning: sexual content.


The Log Books — stories from Britain’s LGBT+ history and conversations about being queer today. Produced by Shivani Dave, Adam Smith and Tash Walker, in partnership with Switchboard - the LGBT+ helpline.


Transcript here.


Poems:

Mooncup by Michelle Mangal

Public Toilets in Regent's Park by Richard Scott, reproduced with the kind permission of Faber and Faber

God-birth by Annie Hayter


For more information about the items in this episode, take a look at:

Mens R Us info for men having sex with men

Unexpected Fluids podcast

Beating about the bush sexual health guide for lesbians

Lesbian Sex 101 

Back Pocket Guide Trans Men 

Juno Roche on her book Queer Sex

Risk Aware Consensual Kink 


Music by Tom Foskett-Barnes

Artwork by Natalie Doto

https://www.thelogbooks.org


More episodes

View all episodes

  • 20. Fancy Work - 020

    01:08:17||Season 5, Ep. 20
    You might love William Morris and his fancy wallpaper... but did you know about his daughter, May Morris? She did many of the famous textile designs, and was a poet, artist, writer and socialist activist. Her life story is fascinating. Tash spoke to Alice Hattrick, whose new book Fancy Work explores May’s life and her queer partnership with MF. Listen to ad-free episodes by supporting the show on Patreon.Aunt Nell:  Newsletter | Instagram | YouTube | websiteThe Log Books is hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam ZmithThe assistant producer is Mia CampbellMusic from SoundstripeOriginal artwork by Natalie DotoThanks to the dreamboats at AcastFor the story of the helpline Switchboard and untold stories from Britain's LGBTQ+ history: listen to Seasons 1-3, co-produced with Shivani Dave.For interviews from the research for our book, published by Faber & Faber: listen to Season 4.KI7FHCTLCUOCNJZ9
  • 19. Try selling poppers! - 019

    27:21||Season 5, Ep. 19
    When Bill Hartwell started selling poppers online he was surprised to discover that payment companies didn’t want his business. In this exclusive interview with Adam, Bill bares all... about the sexual politics of modern banking.Mentioned this episode:VegasPridePositions - Bill’s online storeWe Out Here festival - Tash and Adam will be there this weekend, say hi!Listen to ad-free episodes by supporting the show on Patreon.Aunt Nell:  Newsletter | Instagram | YouTube | websiteThe Log Books is hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam ZmithThe assistant producer is Mia CampbellMusic from SoundstripeOriginal artwork by Natalie DotoThanks to the dreamboats at AcastFor the story of the helpline Switchboard and untold stories from Britain's LGBTQ+ history: listen to Seasons 1-3, co-produced with Shivani Dave.For interviews from the research for our book, published by Faber & Faber: listen to Season 4.KI7FHCTLCUOCNJZ9
  • 18. David Shenton’s life in cartoons - 018

    34:06||Season 5, Ep. 18
    Adam got to meet the artist David Shenton and get a sneak peek of his retrospective exhibition at Norwich Castle and Museum. David’s 50+ year career is filled with wit, humour, LGBTQ+ politics, and wry observations — we loved to hear it all. Thanks to the co-curators Ruth Battersby and Ian Giles, and Adam Baker of Queer Norfolk for help with this episode.Kindly Ease the Tension - David Shenton exhibition @ Norwich Castle Listen to ad-free episodes by supporting the show on Patreon.Aunt Nell:  Newsletter | Instagram | YouTube | websiteThe Log Books is hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam ZmithThe assistant producer is Mia CampbellMusic from SoundstripeOriginal artwork by Natalie DotoThanks to the dreamboats at AcastFor the story of the helpline Switchboard and untold stories from Britain's LGBTQ+ history: listen to Seasons 1-3, co-produced with Shivani Dave.For interviews from the research for our book, published by Faber & Faber: listen to Season 4.KI7FHCTLCUOCNJZ9
  • 17. Barbers beyond gender - 017

    38:35||Season 5, Ep. 17
    Tash went for a haircut and took the mic along! Their barber is the marvellous LP, who talked to Tash about seeing clients who are fed up with the way they’re boxed in by their previous hairdressers and barbers. Mentioned in this episode:Queer Me and the Sea @ Turner Contemporary, MargateMargate PrideListen to ad-free episodes by supporting the show on Patreon.Aunt Nell:  Newsletter | Instagram | YouTube | websiteThe Log Books is hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam ZmithThe assistant producer is Mia CampbellMusic from SoundstripeOriginal artwork by Natalie DotoThanks to the dreamboats at AcastFor the story of the helpline Switchboard and untold stories from Britain's LGBTQ+ history: listen to Seasons 1-3, co-produced with Shivani Dave.For interviews from the research for our book, published by Faber & Faber: listen to Season 4.KI7FHCTLCUOCNJZ9
  • 16. The 90s mayhem of Stuart Linden Rhodes - 016

    38:40||Season 5, Ep. 16
    You’ve not seen queer nightlife until you’ve seen it through the lens of the photographer Linden. Adam met Stuart, the man behind the lens, to talk about what it was like to take so many iconic photos, and why it’s important to capture queer nightlife.Check out Linden’s photos on Instagram and the book, Out and About with Linden.Listen to ad-free episodes by supporting the show on Patreon.Aunt Nell: Newsletter | Instagram | YouTube | websiteThe Log Books is hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam ZmithThe assistant producer is Mia CampbellMusic from SoundstripeOriginal artwork by Natalie DotoThanks to the dreamboats at AcastFor the story of the helpline Switchboard and untold stories from Britain's LGBTQ+ history: listen to Seasons 1-3, co-produced with Shivani Dave.For interviews from the research for our book, published by Faber & Faber: listen to Season 4.KI7FHCTLCUOCNJZ9
  • 15. The Sound of Trans Freedom - 015

    52:39||Season 5, Ep. 15
    A stack of letters written by trans people asking for help in the 90s is an essential piece of queer history. The letters are rightly kept confidentially, but a year ago we were given special access to make a sound art piece using them. Today we’re marking the anniversary of that work, which was produced by Tash and Arlie Adlington, with contributions from Jesse Lawson, Kamari Romeo, naafi, and Imogen Sayers.The Sound of Trans Freedom audio piece in full: Soundcloud | YouTubeShort films mentioned in this episode: Sweetheart (dir Luke Wintour, 2025)Dandelion (dir Fiona Obertinca, 2026)The Sound of Trans Freedom was supported by an Engagement Grant from The National ArchivesThanks to all the contributors who gave their voices, thoughts and feelings to the piecesThe Press for Change archive letters read throughout the piece were by Serena James, recorded by David PyeThe featured artists were:naafi, Kamari Romeo, Tom Sayers, Jesse LawsonArchival audio courtesy of:Gender Talk, a radio show speaking the language of gender created by Nancy Nangeroni, originally broadcast on WMBR Cambridge and Boston, USA. Find them at gendertalk.com.Out-FM, a multi-racial, progressive LGBTQ+ public affairs and culture show on WBAI New York, USA. Listen to their extensive archive at outfm.org.The Sound of Trans Freedom was...Compiled and mixed by Arlie AdlingtonProduced by Tash WalkerAnd the Executive Producers for Aunt Nell were Tash Walker and Adam ZmithThanks to:Stephen WhittlePress for ChangeThe National ArchivesandThe Hall-Carpenter Archives at LSEListen to ad-free episodes by supporting the show on Patreon.Aunt Nell:  Newsletter | Instagram | YouTube | websiteThe Log Books is hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam ZmithThe assistant producer is Mia CampbellMusic from SoundstripeOriginal artwork by Natalie DotoThanks to the dreamboats at AcastFor the story of the helpline Switchboard and untold stories from Britain's LGBTQ+ history: listen to Seasons 1-3, co-produced with Shivani Dave.For interviews from the research for our book, published by Faber & Faber: listen to Season 4.KI7FHCTLCUOCNJZ9
  • 14. Hastings queer history - 014

    55:15||Season 5, Ep. 14
    Tash went along to Hastings for a tour of Lemons, Laws and Secret Doors — an exhibition made by a local queer collective all about their history. There was so much to discover!Tash and Adam are running a writing workshop at Joelle Taylor’s Maryville salon this weekend - tickets here!Listen to ad-free episodes by supporting the show on Patreon.Aunt Nell:  Newsletter | Instagram | YouTube | websiteThe Log Books is hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam ZmithThe assistant producer is Mia CampbellMusic from SoundstripeOriginal artwork by Natalie DotoThanks to the dreamboats at AcastFor the story of the helpline Switchboard and untold stories from Britain's LGBTQ+ history: listen to Seasons 1-3, co-produced with Shivani Dave.For interviews from the research for our book, published by Faber & Faber: listen to Season 4.KI7FHCTLCUOCNJZ9
  • 13. FKA twigs, and why Adam is an alien - 013

    41:25||Season 5, Ep. 13
    Adam takes Tash on a deep dive of the artist FKA twigs: her style, her drive, her weirdness, and of course her delicious music. We covered the full range of her career and why she’s an icon for queers, women and weirdos. We love you, twigs!Discussed in this episode:Poni’s flip of Fallen Alien by FKA twigsListen to ad-free episodes by supporting the show on Patreon.Aunt Nell:  Newsletter | Instagram | YouTube | websiteThe Log Books is hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam ZmithThe assistant producer is Mia CampbellMusic from SoundstripeOriginal artwork by Natalie DotoThanks to the dreamboats at AcastFor the story of the helpline Switchboard and untold stories from Britain's LGBTQ+ history: listen to Seasons 1-3, co-produced with Shivani Dave.For interviews from the research for our book, published by Faber & Faber: listen to Season 4.KI7FHCTLCUOCNJZ9
  • 12. Bradford’s queer history - 012

    38:38||Season 5, Ep. 12
    Tash got a tour of Bradford’s queer history with Alice Parsons, who runs the city’s Castles in the Sky project. We learnt all about the local Switchboard, the gay arts festival, the lesbian support line, and how these all stem from Bradford’s radical politics.Discussed in this episode:Amnesty International report on gender-critical movements and media Castles in the Sky in BradfordListen to ad-free episodes by supporting the show on Patreon.Aunt Nell:  Newsletter | Instagram | YouTube | websiteThe Log Books is hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam ZmithThe assistant producer is Mia CampbellMusic from SoundstripeOriginal artwork by Natalie DotoThanks to the dreamboats at AcastFor the story of the helpline Switchboard and untold stories from Britain's LGBTQ+ history: listen to Seasons 1-3, co-produced with Shivani Dave.For interviews from the research for our book, published by Faber & Faber: listen to Season 4.KI7FHCTLCUOCNJZ9