Photograph by Woodard Photography.

Display of photos and quotes from the interview participants.

Vince- Running Crawley Pride has been a huge achievement, but having an opportunity to be involved in a local LGBT+ history project means I can tell my story and maybe help those who hear it. I was born and grew up in Crawley. I graduated from The Urdang Academy with BA (hons) degree in professional dance & musical theatre. Alongside my performance career, I was fortunate enough to have a further 2 career paths; Theatre School Director and Events Management. Crawley Pride is always the highlight of my year. LGBTQ+ people have always been in Crawley. It's time to stop living in the shadows of Section 23 and discriminative laws and live proudly. Love is love no matter your identity or sexual orientation. There is only 1 race, no matter our differences. Human race.

Skye- Hi everyone. My name's Skye and I am a Trans woman and I work as a pharmacy manager. Although I don't live in Crawley I have grown up in and around the town as it was the closest place to where I live that had things to do. Now that I am older and have found myself I have been lucky enough to become a co-director for Crawley LGBT and organise some amazing events. I'm ecstatic to have been chosen to be able to take park in the interviews that you will see in the exhibit as it gives me the chance to share my experiences with other people and allows me to share an insight into what it's like to be trans. When I grew up there were no role models for me to look up to so my main aim is to be seen so that others can look up to me, and I joined Crawley LGBT to be a voice for those that are too scared to. I love to use my creative talents to spread cheer and a little colour to others, so the team who put this incredible exhibit together gave me the chance to create the butterfly wall display you can see here. The butterflies in the box are free to take so please help yourself.

Gill- I was invited to take part in these interviews by someone I met at Crawley Pride and was really impressed with the project so was delighted to take part. I'm a relative newcomer to Crawley, moving here with my wife from Bedford in Aug 2021, with our 2 cats. I am a Methodist minister, privileged to serve St Paul's, Crawley Methodist Church in Northgate. and Superintendent Minister of the Redhill & East Grinstead Methodist Circuit. St Paul's are delighted that, subject to receiving our legal authorisation, we are able to officiate at marriages of any two persons after a positive vote by the congregation. Same-sex marriages are also available at the Methodist Churches of Reigate, Horley and Redhill. Although we live in Horley, I love the deep feeling of acceptance and engagement with Crawley and am so happy to be part of the team.

Derek- Derek Farrell is a writer who has also worked as an Investment Banker, a Burger dresser and David Bowie’s paper boy. He was born in Dublin but lived and worked all over the world before finally settling down in Crawley where he has lived with his husband for over twenty five years now. Derek believes firmly that the LGBTQ+ community is stronger together and that an attack on one is an attack on all.

Carl- Hi I’m Carl, I’m 30 and I’m a content creator/actor and performer from Horsham, and I went to school in Crawley. I love coming to Crawley and being part of this project due to the diverse people and culture and pride. Crawley is more open-minded than some places which is good.

Volunteers- The Queer Crawley Heritage Project wouldn’t have been possible without the team of volunteers who’ve worked to organise, interview, film, edit, photograph and install the exhibition. Given the recent terrorist threats to LGBT organisations and events in Crawley, some volunteers wanted to - understandably - remain nameless. We are reminded of why we do things like this: because of people like that.

Origami butterflies positioned on the wall in the shape of a Pride flag.

Instructions on how to fold your own origami butterfly.