Kris Zar Talks to Paul Burston: Queer History, Survival & Writing

In the debut episode of Kaleidoscope of Gaze, writer, journalist, activist, and founder of the Polari Prize for LGBT+ literature, Paul Burston joins Kris Zar for a deeply personal and powerful conversation about growing up gay in Wales, discovering the gay scene during the 1980s, and living through the devastating years of the AIDS pandemic.Paul reflects on the homophobia, fear, and loss that defined the era, sharing moving memories of activism, survival, friendship, and the fight for visibility at a time when LGBT+ people were heavily stigmatised by society and the media. He also discusses how those experiences shaped his journey into journalism and novel writing, as well as what today’s LGBT+ community must remember and protect as the future increasingly presents new social and political challenges.Honest, emotional, and thought-provoking, this episode offers an important reflection on queer history, resilience, and the enduring importance of community.Content warning: This episode includes discussions of homophobia, discrimination and hostility experienced by LGBT+ people during the AIDS pandemic, including descriptions of anti-gay abuse and prejudice that some listeners may find upsetting.Produced & Presented by Kris Zar