Against All Odds: Oldest Gay and Lesbian Community Group in the country continue to meet during pandemic
The Gloucestershire based group started in 1974
The oldest Gay and Lesbian Community Group in the country have continued to meet up during the pandemic.
It's based in Gloucestershire and began in 1974 to act as a lifeline for the LGBT community in the county.
Since then they've supported members through the hardships which they have faced over the years and also acted on various campaigns for LGBT rights.
We spoke to the vice-chairman Howard Hyman about the group, what it was like growing up as a gay man and what further progress needs to be made for LGBT people today.
GGLC: A safe space for everyone
"It began in 1974 as part of a campaign for homosexual equalities where we would meet it other people's houses.
"As the years went by and the number of members grew the then Bishop of Gloucester offered the use of a hall in Gloucester city centre.
"Over the years it's provided a lifeline for many people where hundreds of people have come to the group to find help, support and a safe space.
"It's developed into mainly a social group but we still to this day participate in events which campaign for LGBT rights and awareness".
Supporting members during the pandemic
"Most of out members are older because they've been part of the group since it started, but we do have some younger people in the group as well.
"We do manage to interact quite successfully with the younger members, but it's the older ones who've come through the bad times to the present day.
"Our monthly meeting of ten-pin bowling or skittles have had to move to a fortnightly online meeting instead and our annual dinner was replaced with people cooking their dinners and us all sitting round virtually.
"The group certainly helps the older members especially during the pandemic who may feel a bit out of touch at the moment.
"I just think it's important where everyone can come together in their own space".
Growing up gay
"I came out when I was living in Nottingham during the 1970s when there was still a lot of prejudice and discrimination.
"I realised I didn't want to live my life thinking I was an excuse so I decided to become a gay activist - and I've lived my whole life working for equality and diversity.
"I formed the first gay group in the trade union, I'm currently on the LGBT+ partnership in Gloucestershire and I'm also on the City Council's Equality and Diversity group.
"During the HIV and AIDS epidemic I didn't experience it myself, but there were people around me and in society who were going through hell.
"It didn't help as well by certain people who were properly homophobic calling it the 'gay plague'.
"It didn't help people researching the issue but thank goodness the scientists craked on and continued".
Looking to the future
"If you want to move forward in society, you've got to change all the thing that are wrong with it, like homophobia, transphobia, racism - they're all wrong.
"We have made good progress and people are more accepting of it but there's more progress to be made.
"Especially when it comes to transgender rights. We're still well behind and more progress needs to be made so that they don't have so many barriers to go through just to identify who they are and get what they need."