David Norris nominated me to be president [of the NGF] because of what he called my righteous anger. I guess that energises you a lot. I’ve experienced very little [serious homophobia] in my life. was in the building game... and everyone knew was gay there. I’m not saying they were entirely comfortable with it but they put up with it.
(The NGF’s response to AIDS) We met with politicians and talked about condoms to try institute safer sex and we were laughed at by politicians who said you will never get people to wear condoms, you will never get men to wear condoms.
I thought in order for things to really change we had to develop a community. My belief was things like the Tuesday Talkshop would give people an opportunity to develop confidence and talk openly and argue positions. So that was the main purpose of it. That’s why call myself ‘the Transition President’, because it was [moving] from campaigning to more community development.