00:00 Worked as school librarian in only secondary school in Cowal Peninsula: close-knit community, couldn’t be out. Wanted to be out, so important to move. Job came up at Stirling University, Faculty of Human Sciences. In Autumn 1994 had

joined Lilidots, a lesbian hill-walking group. Started new job February 1995. Equal Opportunities policy – felt she could be more open. Found out about Forth Friend, an organisation for lesbians and gays in Forth Valley. Phoned their phoneline, talked to Pam, who invited L to film at Macrobert Arts Centre to meet other lesbians. Came out at work. Involved in Union, as a LGB Rep (representative for lesbian, gay and bisexual members) – visibly out. No bad reactions. No partner meant it was more difficult to come out. Involved in social side of Forth Friend, then trained in basic counselling to help with Forth Friend phoneline.

08:16 Lilidots best way to meet other like-minded people. Made very good friends. Not fallen in love with another lesbian: L would not allow herself to fall in love with lesbian who already had partner. Good to shared experiences in Lilidots. 10th anniversary of group around 1995. Started as feminist group but became lesbian. Name: ‘Dot’ – ‘Are you a friend of Dorothy?’ and ‘Lili’ – ‘Does she drink lilac wine?’ a saying in the Dundee area. High emphasis on car-sharing and sharing of costs to involve all.

15:30 Rarely met lesbians outside of contact/support organisations. Before moving to London, shared flat in Edinburgh with two gay men. One had written an article in a Scottish gay magazine, and was impressed that L had the nerve to go and buy it. Moved to Newcastle for a short time with five flatmates, one was lesbian, shared interest in cats. Felt comfortable having lesbian and gay flatmates. A flatmate in London was called ‘faghag’, friendly with gay men. Would have liked to go on Pride march, though didn’t recognise self as lesbian.

21:19 Talks about shared interests of Lilidots. Many had taken long time to realise were lesbian. Many had been tomboys: L called tomboy when young and liked that. Had close female heterosexual friends. Harder after coming out – friends having the wrong idea about relationship. Don’t share same experiences. Some friends are traditional Scottish, wary of hugging: L has become a huggy person – going to London helped.

27:11 Coming out to family – brother in 1997 – he was fine and wanted to find L a partner, e.g. through advertising. L told Aunt Margaret before parents: this aunt kept asking L about boyfriends, and L came out to her while walking the dog, L’s favourite part of Christmas, which she hated. L wanted to come out to parents, but wary because of mother’s previous reaction and mental health problems. Told them late 1990s.