The College of Social Sciences and International Studies, in partnership with the University LGBTQ+ Staff Network are pleased to welcome the hosts of the Log Books Podcast, which explores the UK's LGBTQ+ history through the handwritten archives of Switchboard, the LGBT+ helpline that was established in 1974.

Hosts Tash Walker and Adam Zmith will explore some of their favourite stories of the people who called into Switchboard, the common themes uncovered within its archives and the helpline's significance in UK LGBTQ+ history. They will share with us podcast excerpts, log book entries, and their own reflections on the history they have been uncovering: an LGBTQ+ history in the first hand accounts, thoughts and worries of LGBTQ+ people. Tash and Adam will then take questions, allowing a chance to dig deeper, or to ask about other themes or topics they may have encountered in the log books.

Registered attendees will be sent the Zoom link closer to the event.

The video will be recorded, and is open to non- University attendees, so please feel free to have your camera off if you are concerned. You may also change your name on Zoom to be less identifiable if you feel you need to do so.

Captioning is not available during the live event, but will be available in the recorded footage, when that is shared.

About The Log Books:

The Log Books was named Best New Podcast (Gold) at the British Podcast Awards 2020, is five-star rated on Apple and has been featured in The Observer and the Guardian, Esquire, Diva Magazine, Boyz Magazine, on BBC Radio Hour, History Hit with Dan Snow and the Pod Bible podcast.

The first two seasons of The Log Books podcast covers the period 1974 to 1991, and includes stories collected from more than 50 contributors talking about everything from nightlife to housing, from discrimination and HIV/AIDS, from censorship to migration.

About the Speakers:

Tash Walker

Tash Walker is a Co-Chair of Switchboard and podcast/radio producer. Tash has brought the charity’s log books to light through archiving at Bishopsgate Institute, talks during LGBT History Month and media interviews. She is also the Co-Founder of Get In Her Ears, an organisation set up to promote womxn and non-binary people in music.

Adam Zmith

Adam Zmith is a writer and podcaster. He is a London Writers Awardee (2019-20), the literature programmer for Fringe!, east London’s queer film and arts fest, and a volunteer at Diversity Role Models. He is formerly a journalist and social media editor.

The Log Books Podcast Talk and Q+A