This ran from 1985-88 and employed Margot Farnham to coordinate a group of volunteers (six women and four men) who recorded 35 interviews. Further interviews were added to the collection in the 1990s. The tapes and transcriptions are now in the British Library Sound Archive|. Most of the interviews have full summaries and some have transcripts or partial transcripts. A list is available on the Sound Archive's website|.
Two books were produced by the HCA Oral History Project: "Inventing Ourselves: Lesbian Life Stories", ISBN 0-415-02959-7 (pbk); and
"Walking After Midnight: Gay Mens Life Stories" ISBN 0-415-02957-0 (pbk.);
both published by Routledge, London, 1989 (HCA is the author). Both are now out of print.
HCA also had early involvement with the National Lesbian and Gay Survey, a Mass Observation-style survey obtaining the opinions of "ordinary" lesbians and gay men on various vital or controversial contemporary issues. The results were also published by Routledge.
Researchers wishing to use the HCA Oral History Project transcripts and tapes should contact:
British Library Sound Archive 96 Euston Road London NW1 2DB
Email: sound-archive@bl.uk|