1988-1989 period of change. Gay scene difficult by public transport from Linwood, but passed driving test. Court Bar was first experience of gay bar: mainly middle-aged men. Bennets nearby: gay nightclub full of happy people. Wanted to be part of it, but had to think about gay men as scourge of society, and not wanting parents to know. Took it step by step: another month before went back on the gay scene. Apprehensive about approaching someone. Relationship for 6 months with man 9 years older. Stayed close friends for 10 years. Boyfriend was an air steward – made friends in airline industry.

04:43 Joining the fire service, didn’t think he could be openly gay – thought might be sacked. 17 weeks at Scottish Fire Service College in Gullane: difficult to maintain relationship with boyfriend. Discovering sexuality, made good friends, but training run on militaristic lines. Unsure of his rights.

07:57 February 1990 finished training school and posted to Port Glasgow Fire Station, a quiet station. Describes experiences of fighting fires. Talks about colleagues – average age much older. Had to hide private life of being gay. A lot of time to talk in fire service: it creeps into your private life too much. Had to lie, but a hopeless liar. Remoteness of station from social life meant he was able to lead a double life. Asked for transfer, was moved to Paisley, and is still attached to the same watch today. It was same core of 18 people for 7-8 years.

16:27 All the men on the watch socialised in Glasgow, and SB seen outside Bennets. Gossiping started. SB knew that something not quite right, banter could be daunting. It went on for about 18 months: SB knew somebody knew something. Regional heats of Mr Gay UK 1994 were on at Bennets: SB won Glasgow heat. Final filmed for Channel 4 programme Passengers. On return from holiday, all colleagues had seen programme. Describes colleagues’ reactions. Coming out nightmare scenario. One friend on the watch said things would be fine, and SB couldn’t have come to a better watch. Union rep Roddy on SB’s watch told him his rights. Station officer had been embarrassed and had no idea how to deal with it. Going to other fire stations was difficult, because they were intrigued or scared or didn’t know what it was.

24:33 Union helped to realise you’re not the only one: Roddy put SB in touch with gay firefighters in London, moral support. That started Stewart’s involvement in LGBT rights in the fire service. Union agreed to networking space within the union for gay and lesbian firefighters. Introduced to Terry Richardson, who started it all. SB’s involvement in Gay and Lesbian Support Group started in 1994. Informal meetings, developed agenda, shared experiences. Asked to travel to other places to talk about it. Visited schools. 1998 had to take a break for 3 months because exhausted. Prejudice still exists. In Northern Ireland asked if SB had separate cutlery, breathing equipment and bedroom, no doubt due to naïve understanding of HIV.