When Lord Chris Smith stood in a crowded hall in Rugby and said, “My name is Chris Smith... and I’m gay,” British politics took a giant leap forward. In this episode, we trace the path from coming out to the Blair-era equality reforms that reshaped life for LGBTQ people in the UK.

Chris discusses tabloid hostility, the response of his constituents, and the small moments that mark a cultural shift. He walks us through some of his defining achievements in government: equalising the age of consent, repealing Section 28, ending bans in the armed forces, securing goods and services equality, and the arrival of civil partnerships. He shows how ordinary people coming out moved public opinion faster than politicians or headlines.

Chris also shares how he chose to reveal his HIV status years later, inspired by a speech from Nelson Mandela.

If this podcast was inspiring, follow us on social media, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review.

This episode was hosted by Jonathan Chambers and James Alexander

Editing by Hannah Stewart

Music: Mystify created by AlterEgo

Visit our website, https://tvfh.co.uk

Follow us on Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/theviewfromherepodcast

We sit down with Stuart Feather, Paul Shaw, and Lavinia Co‑op to trace the raw and often outrageous path from the Gay Liberation Front’s early meetings at the LSE to the Bloolips’ radical drag that rattled London, conquered Amsterdam, and charmed New York.

We revisit the infamous Festival of Light action at Methodist Central Hall, featuring slow handclaps, boxed mice under pews, can‑canning “nuns,” a balcony banner crowning “Cliff for Queen”, and a drag confession of being “saved” that froze an entire audience.

This is queer theatre as a weapon - light, frothy, and full of tap‑dancing, but carrying the punch that keeps movements alive.

Subscribe, share with a friend and leave a review telling us the boldest act of creative resistance you’ve ever witnessed.

This episode was hosted by Jonathan Chambers and James Alexander

Editing by Hannah Stewart

Music: Mystify created by AlterEgo

Visit our website, https://tvfh.co.uk

Follow us on Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/theviewfromherepodcast

Following our main interview with Adèle Anderson, recorded before the April 2025 Supreme Court ruling on trans rights in the UK, we sit down with Adèle for a live recording at The View From Here's launch event in London.

Adèle shares her thoughts on the negative progress we're seeing in trans rights in the UK, the impact of culture wars and the chilling effect this is having.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing and leaving a review, as well as sharing the word on social media

This episode was hosted by Jonathan Chambers and James Alexander

Editing by Hannah Stewart

Music: Mystify created by AlterEgo

Visit our website, https://tvfh.co.uk

Follow us on Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/theviewfromherepodcast