00:00 Stewart Brown [SB] born 1970 Dumbarton. Moved to Linwood, Renfrewshire. Moved to Paisley aged 24. One brother. Lived next to school. Nice neighbourhood. Aged 13-14 thought ‘something not quite right’ because didn’t fancy girls. Bullied at primary school, remembers coming home crying. Teachers were aware of it but were not prepared to do anything about it. Enjoyed school. Linwood High school. Good student, academic achievements, stayed on for 5th year.

04:38 Began thinking about employment. Didn’t want to go to University. Working-class parents, income important. Stewart chose between civil engineer and firefighter. Went for interview for civil engineering: didn’t get the job. Fire service instead. Good career, early retirement possible, didn’t see downsides. Advice at age 15/16 from retired fireman. Minimum age 18 to join. Left school, worked as apprentice gardener with Council. Turned 19, got interview with fire service, attended selection centre: physical and mental tests. Was accepted: joined fire service in October 1989. 15 years have flown by since then.

11:00 Bullying at school – homophobic. Aged 9 was asked if knew what a homosexual was. Dominant people within group picked on weakest. Tagged as a ladies’ man, and used that to offset idea that he was gay, especially later on in secondary school, where bullying stopped. Spoke to old school friend who remembered their both being bullied, but who thought it would have made it worse to speak about it together. Bullied for achievements at primary school: best boy. At secondary school distanced from old associates and made new friends. Talks about terms used for gay: main word was poof, generalised term for effeminate, and for those who weren’t part of the ‘smoking round the back wall’ culture. Reasons for bullying: looked pristine, teacher’s pet, didn’t hang around with other boys outside at night. Support from mum, teachers and auxiliaries.

22:06 Knew he was different 13-14. Looked at men in mother’s catalogues. Wasn’t going to get married with two kids. Was taught section 4.6 of sex education in school, and was attracted to pictures of males. Always wanted to be older. Did not admit sexuality to himself until 18. Had been seeing girls throughout teen years. On holiday with friend Ian, met Julia from Essex and then saw her every second weekend. After broke up with her, waited for bus back to Glasgow from London, saw Gay Times in newsagent and bought it. Found out where gay bars were in Glasgow. Realised wasn’t going to be having relationship with a girl, and wanted to find out about the gay scene. Broke ties with Julia and with Ian: went separate way. A lot of pressure with new job, and new world discovered through Gay Times. That was the start of the sexual adventure.