A StoneCrabs Theatre Company Project

Oral Histories

Island residents share their stories and experiences of being a member of the LGTBQ+ community on the Island.

How do you record an oral history interview?

We contacted Museum and Heritage Educator, Lisa Kerley and she gave a fascinating training session to the Out On An Island team who are LGBTQ+ or allies.

You can learn more about Lisa’s work here.


We then put out an open invitation to anyone who identified as LGBTQ+ and who had an Isle of Wight connection to sit with an interviewer and to share their stories in their own words, anonymously if they preferred.

This kind of interview invites the interviewee to talk freely without interruption, comment or judgment where possible to let a natural story unfold. It provides a valuable first-hand account of lived experiences.

The recordings will be preserved for future generations and archived at Wessex Film and Sound Archives in Winchester and Carisbrooke Castle Museum, Isle of Wight.

Robin Ford

Robin was inspired to share his story and contacted us after coming along to a talk featuring Peter Tatchell and hosted by Out On

Listen Here »

Karl Love

Karl is a gay man from Yorkshire who moved to the Island in 1992 with his partner, now husband, David. He got a job

Listen Here »

Karen Wright

Karen came to the Isle of Wight when she was 6 months old and spent her childhood here. Sociable, outgoing and active, she loves

Listen Here »

Jess

Jess is an Island raised queer woman born in 1991 and now living in the north of England. She frequently returns to visit the

Listen Here »

Anonymous

Listen to the story of a man who prefers to remain anonymous. He identifies as gay or queer and was born at St Mary’s

Listen Here »