00:00 Following Section 28 battle and firefighters’ dispute, it’s important to talk to schools – fire safety and fairness message: firefighters are from all different groups, including LGBT. Need to be open to pupils. Gay firefighters would open up career to people who may feel excluded.

03:45 Had no role models or set goals. Never looked to be someone else. Absence of positive role models. In primary school, policeman visited. Stereotypes in media – John Inman, Larry Grayson: SB remembers having open mind about them. Geography teacher called him a poof. Got lines for retaliating: investigation at school, but nothing ever came of it.

09:15 Attended Boys Brigade. Family was Church of Scotland. Went to church as a child, Sunday School. Expected, but not forced. Talks about other religions: was naïve about religion, but understands more now through political side of things.

11:44 Came out to Mum after reading Gay Times. She told Dad. Never discussed. Brother left home, didn’t know if he knew. 1997 Gran died and thereafter SB got closer to brother again. Gran asked if he was still going to gay bars. Family were happy if he was safe and careful. Not discussed with extended family, but they know about it for last 5 years or so. SB is very open through work and Gay Pride etc., so hard to hide it and didn’t want to hide it. Work colleagues of parents have commented on it in a positive way. SB has seen people on brink of suicide in the fire service, and heard stories of continued bullying and harassment that extends to their family. SB’s situation wasn’t that bad.

16:31 Turning 30 in 1999, SB wanted to settle down. Has partner, together 4½ years. Changed SB’s life: partner is career-motivated and pushes SB. Had not been interested in promotion. Involvement in union has educated SB in politics.

18:51 Talks about changes which still need to be made in fire service. More female involvement now. London much further forward on the LGBT issue. 300 members in LGBT support network. Need more positive action, eliminating discrimination. Equality agenda went backwards after dispute about fair pay: union was blamed for not achieving more, and for its progressive policies on equality. Prejudices that existed before are highlighted more now. Will get there through educational system in the union: generational thing. There needs to be a gay high-ranking officer. Still lots to do, around HIV stigma, time off, civil partnership, pension rights.

24:50 Some years ago SB would not have thought he’d be talking about such issues in Westminster, with MPs etc. Parents supportive of his work. Mainly working around equality issues, including with Amnesty International about homophobia in Jamaica. Sits on LGBT TUC committee in London. In-house LGBT magazine: Flagship. Pride events: fire service promoted as good employer for LGBT members.

27:30 Talks about civil partnerships: SB and partner have spoken briefly about it, but not top of agenda. Glad of civil partnership legislation, and would like it extended for opposite sex couples. Would like to see pension rights for a nominated person, without having to register partnership. Downsides to civil partnership: would lose 50% of pension if partnership dissolved – commitment for life. Open as a couple, so they get some recognition as partners.