00:00 Parents did not say much in response to L’s coming out. Father knew due to visits to house, would see Pink Paper, Out Scotland etc. They didn’t seem to want to talk about it. Mother got seriously ill, and may not remember L’s coming out. Mother didn’t want family to know: difficult for L who doesn’t want to be hidden.

02:07 L diagnosed with breast cancer, and planning funeral. Has been to lesbian and gay funerals and no mention of sexuality. Wants this to be acknowledged at her own funeral, which will be Humanist and will include her lesbian life. Would like to tell

remaining family members. Some have traditional/Christian views and difficult to come out to them.

05:42 Brought up Church of Scotland – never felt a Christian. Passionate about animals and animal rights. Talks about religion’s lack of sympathy for animal rights. Ruth was Jewish. Read more about Judaism and went to Garnet Hill Synagogue. Thought about converting. Attended Hebrew class in London. Some aspects of Judaism were against L’s beliefs, especially about animals; also wanted to live in rural Scotland. When came out and admitted feelings for Ruth, L realised those feelings were the source of interest in Judaism. Not really religious and happier when mutual acceptance rather than ‘one true way’. Never liked Christianity, which seemed to be worshipping one man. No religious guilt in relation to sexuality; disliked idea of judgmental god. Attitudes to homosexuality in Judaism: contrast between liberal Judaism and negative passages in Bible.

17:13 Animals have been her strongest passion. Hated the idea of animals being killed. Visit to butchers aged 4. Turned vegetarian aged 16. Felt apart from society which condones killing of animals. Article about animal rights encouraged her to read more. Felt alone as vegetarian supporter of animal rights and lesbian – also alone in both those groups. Difficult to find partner due to uncompromising views. Support from animals and from close friends, mainly women. Shared views with sister, but grew apart later on, though recently got closer with sister and brother.

26:52 Some experience of discrimination: teasing at school, name-calling when queuing for lesbian disco and when with other woman on train. Worst discrimination consisted of attitudes of society that meant she hid her identity from herself: made invisible to herself. Videos and DVDs mainly based around heterosexuality. Little about homosexuals, and often negative. Have to seek out lesbian or gay movies. Example of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin: book includes gay man, film doesn’t.