Share

cover art for “Multiple paradox net files” | Episode 1

The Log Books

“Multiple paradox net files” | Episode 1

Season 3, Ep. 1
•

The internet began to revolutionise LGBTQI+ life in the 1990s: chat rooms, emails, and of course dating websites. In this first episode of the third season of The Log Books, Tash and Adam pull out stories from the archive at Switchboard - the LGBT+ Helpline about people who called to talk about how the internet was changing their experience of sexuality and gender. They hear memories of early online photo searches and hook-ups arranged via chat rooms. And YouTuber Jake Edwards who grew up making videos about their transition and coming out as non-binary, explains their experience on the limits of the internet at making genuine connections today.


Transcript here.


The Log Books — stories from Britain’s LGBT+ history and conversations about being queer today. Produced by Shivani Dave, Tash Walker and Adam Zmith, in partnership with Switchboard - the LGBT+ helpline. With thanks to the Bishopsgate Institute and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.


Music by Tom Foskett-Barnes

Artwork by Natalie Doto

https://www.thelogbooks.org 

Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened.


Hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam Zmith

The voice of the log books: Serena James

Assistant producer: Marnie Woodmeade 

Engineer: David Pye

Music: Tom Fosket-Barnes

Original artwork: Natalie Doto

Thanks to the Bishopsgate Institute; our publisher, Faber Books; the dreamboats at Acast; the staff and volunteers at Switchboard, and all the contributors who shared their stories.

Episode transcripts available here.

Call Switchboard on 0800 0119 100, email hello@switchboard.lgbt or instant message via www.switchboard.lgbt.

More episodes

View all episodes

  • 12. Active listening | Episode 12

    28:59||Season 4, Ep. 12
    Tash and Adam hear from Monty Moncrieff, who took calls for Switchboard for years and now runs London Friend.Monty remembers what it was like to take difficult calls from LGBTQ+ people, and also to be listened to himself, when he gave his first interview in season 3 of The Log Books podcast.Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened.Hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam ZmithThe voice of the log books: Serena JamesAssistant producer: Marnie Woodmeade Engineer: David PyeMusic: Tom Fosket-BarnesOriginal artwork: Natalie DotoThanks to the Bishopsgate Institute; our publisher, Faber Books; the dreamboats at Acast; the staff and volunteers at Switchboard, and all the contributors who shared their stories.Episode transcripts available here.Call Switchboard on 0800 0119 100, email hello@switchboard.lgbt or instant message via www.switchboard.lgbt.

  • 11. No going back | Episode 11

    33:50||Season 4, Ep. 11
    Adam and Tash hear from Clare Truscott, a riotous femme punk who tirelessly serves her community and always has an abundance of stories to tell.Clare reflects on being a part of the podcast and being a lesbian in the 80s and 90s, and how more recently she’s been campaigning to end homophobia in care homes for older people.You can find out more about Clare’s work on Not Going In The Care Closet here.Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened.Hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam ZmithThe voice of the log books: Serena JamesAssistant producer: Marnie Woodmeade Engineer: David PyeMusic: Tom Fosket-BarnesOriginal artwork: Natalie DotoThanks to the Bishopsgate Institute; our publisher, Faber Books; the dreamboats at Acast; the staff and volunteers at Switchboard, and all the contributors who shared their stories.Episode transcripts available here.Call Switchboard on 0800 0119 100, email hello@switchboard.lgbt or instant message via www.switchboard.lgbt.

  • 10. Never pretending | Episode 10

    33:00||Season 4, Ep. 10
    Tash and Adam listen to Catherine Lee, who qualified as a teacher in the late 80s at a time when it was impossible for lesbians like her to be open at work.Catherine reflects candidly on the impact of sharing her story on the original Log Books podcast, and how her life has transformed from shame to pride.Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened.Hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam ZmithThe voice of the log books: Serena JamesAssistant producer: Marnie Woodmeade Engineer: David PyeMusic: Tom Fosket-BarnesOriginal artwork: Natalie DotoThanks to the Bishopsgate Institute; our publisher, Faber Books; the dreamboats at Acast; the staff and volunteers at Switchboard, and all the contributors who shared their stories.Episode transcripts available here.Call Switchboard on 0800 0119 100, email hello@switchboard.lgbt or instant message via www.switchboard.lgbt.

  • 9. Leather and love | Episode 9

    29:33||Season 4, Ep. 9
    Tash and Adam hear from Richard Desmond, aka Switchboard’s once resident leather queen.Richard reflects on a life in the LGBTQ+ community, as a leatherman, a volunteer, a friend and lover. We love you, Richard.Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened.Hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam ZmithThe voice of the log books: Serena JamesAssistant producer: Marnie Woodmeade Engineer: David PyeMusic: Tom Fosket-BarnesOriginal artwork: Natalie DotoThanks to the Bishopsgate Institute; our publisher, Faber Books; the dreamboats at Acast; the staff and volunteers at Switchboard, and all the contributors who shared their stories.Episode transcripts available here.Call Switchboard on 0800 0119 100, email hello@switchboard.lgbt or instant message via www.switchboard.lgbt.

  • 8. Dream homes | Episode 8

    44:19||Season 4, Ep. 8
    Tash and Adam listen to Graham McKerrow, who was editor of the newspaper Capital Gay in the 80s.Graham reflects on his gay adolescence in the 70s, and how he and his partner transformed a South London house into a communal queer home.Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened.Hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam ZmithThe voice of the log books: Serena JamesAssistant producer: Marnie Woodmeade Engineer: David PyeMusic: Tom Fosket-BarnesOriginal artwork: Natalie DotoThanks to the Bishopsgate Institute; our publisher, Faber Books; the dreamboats at Acast; the staff and volunteers at Switchboard, and all the contributors who shared their stories.Episode transcripts available here.Call Switchboard on 0800 0119 100, email hello@switchboard.lgbt or instant message via www.switchboard.lgbt.

  • 7. Standing up, standing out | Episode 7

    34:07||Season 4, Ep. 7
    Adam and Tash hear from Andy Piccos, whose memories of Switchboard stretch back to 1977. Andy remembers the queer family he met through volunteering and living the gay life, and what it was like to come out to his biological, Greek Cypriot family.Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened.Hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam ZmithThe voice of the log books: Serena JamesAssistant producer: Marnie Woodmeade Engineer: David PyeMusic: Tom Fosket-BarnesOriginal artwork: Natalie DotoThanks to the Bishopsgate Institute; our publisher, Faber Books; the dreamboats at Acast; the staff and volunteers at Switchboard, and all the contributors who shared their stories.Episode transcripts available here.Call Switchboard on 0800 0119 100, email hello@switchboard.lgbt or instant message via www.switchboard.lgbt.

  • 6. Life lessons | Episode 6

    32:50||Season 4, Ep. 6
    Tash and Adam catch-up with Femi Otitoju, one of the original contributors of The Log Books podcast, and one of Switchboard’s most valuable volunteers.Femi reflects on what it meant to have her memories recorded, and how she and others made sure that Switchboard served Black people and women.You can also listen to Femi speaking on the podcast Black And Gay, Back In The Day on Apple and Spotify.Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened.Hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam ZmithThe voice of the log books: Serena JamesAssistant producer: Marnie Woodmeade Engineer: David PyeMusic: Tom Fosket-BarnesOriginal artwork: Natalie DotoThanks to the Bishopsgate Institute; our publisher, Faber Books; the dreamboats at Acast; the staff and volunteers at Switchboard, and all the contributors who shared their stories.Episode transcripts available here.Call Switchboard on 0800 0119 100, email hello@switchboard.lgbt or instant message via www.switchboard.lgbt.

  • 5. Exclusive book extract! | Episode 5

    34:37||Season 4, Ep. 5
    Our book is published TODAY! In this special episode, Tash and Adam read an exclusive excerpt from The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened, published by Faber & Faber.This is a huge milestone for The Log Books project, which started when Tash found the log books over ten years ago. If you listened to our first three seasons, we thank you for sticking with us. If you’re a newcomer: welcome to your queer history!Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened.Hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam ZmithThe voice of the log books: Serena JamesAssistant producer: Marnie Woodmeade Engineer: David PyeMusic: Tom Fosket-BarnesOriginal artwork: Natalie DotoThanks to the Bishopsgate Institute; our publisher, Faber Books; the dreamboats at Acast; the staff and volunteers at Switchboard, and all the contributors who shared their stories.Episode transcripts available here.Call Switchboard on 0800 0119 100, email hello@switchboard.lgbt or instant message via www.switchboard.lgbt.

  • 4. The new life (and again) | Episode 4

    42:23||Season 4, Ep. 4
    Tash and Adam hear from Anson Mackay, who left a tiny, remote town in Scotland to embrace a gay identity, and then later another queer identity altogether.Anson reflects with trusting candour on their experiences through the 80s and 90s, and how people feel compelled to explore their gender even before the right words have arrived.Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened.Hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam ZmithThe voice of the log books: Serena JamesAssistant producer: Marnie Woodmeade Engineer: David PyeMusic: Tom Fosket-BarnesOriginal artwork: Natalie DotoThanks to the Bishopsgate Institute; our publisher, Faber Books; the dreamboats at Acast; the staff and volunteers at Switchboard, and all the contributors who shared their stories.Episode transcripts available here.Call Switchboard on 0800 0119 100, email hello@switchboard.lgbt or instant message via www.switchboard.lgbt.