Celebrating 45 years of Switchboard, the LGBTQ+ stalwart

Throughout many of the milestones in the LGBTQ+ community over the past five decades, Switchboard has been supporting the community every step of the way. While homosexuality was partly decriminalised in the UK in 1967, it took public opinion and culture longer to adapt, with few outlets available for the queer community to seek advice and understanding. And it was through this that Switchboard was born, a helpline for the LGBT community that took its first call in the basement of a Kings Cross bookshop in 1974. Since then, they haven’t looked back, becoming in the subsequent decades both a safe haven and progressive outlet for the community. Celebrating their 45th anniversary this year we talk highlights, evolution and what the future holds with co-chair Natasha Walker.

On Switchboard’s proudest moments

“I’ve been working on our archive which is now being held at Bishopsgate Institute which includes our Log Books, a written record of the calls we have taken from 1974 to 2003 (when we switched to computers).  These log books provide a vital source of historical information which give a real insight into LGBTQ+ history – when we started in the 70s we provided information and support after the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1967, and the persistent police raids and arrests during this time.  In the 1980s we were the leading source of information on the then new and unknown disease of HIV/AIDS, as well as helping people navigate Section 28 (a law that said local authorities could not “intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with the intention of promoting homosexuality” or “promote the teaching in any maintained school of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship”).

In the 1990s our support for the LGBTQ+ communities was never more evident than throughout the aftermath of the Admiral Duncan bombing in 1999.  Our volunteers not only answered hundreds of calls from concerned friends and relatives, but also helped many people deal with the after-effects of the attack in the following months.  Most recently we were there to support and inform people after the Orlando shootings – the biggest mass killing of LGBTQ+ people since the Holocaust.

Lisa Power a founder of Stonewall and ex-volunteer once said, “The milestones of the LGBTQ+ communities can be traced in the calls Switchboard has taken.” and I couldn’t agree more.

On Switchboard’s Evolution

“I think it’s important to recognise how Switchboard has evolved throughout its 45 years. We rebranded from the London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard to Switchboard – the LGBT+ helpline in 2015, and more recently we made an amendment to our constitution to move away from having a male and female co-chair so that Switchboard can be an inclusive organisation which welcomes people of all genders not only as volunteers but now also as leaders.

On what Switchboard looks like in 2019

“At the moment we are experiencing the knock-on effects of cuts in funding for LGBTQ+ support, mental health and sexual health services. We see the statistics showing a rise in the number of people with mental health issues, increasing levels of loneliness and isolation and a rise in hate crime. These are not “just statistics” – behind every decrease in mental health funding, behind every increase in hate crime, there’s a person. And if they need to talk about what is going on in their life and how they are feeling, that’s exactly where Switchboard comes in and why our volunteers turn up to answer calls and IMs and emails every day of the year.

So I would say Switchboard’s main goal this year would be twofold – making sure people out there know that we exist, reaching those who are in need and ensuring that we have volunteers available to answer those people when they reach out for help, 10am to 10pm, 365 days a year.”

On the future of Switchboard

I hope that Switchboard will continue to evolve and support the needs of the LGBTQ+ communities, so that in 45 years if our phones are still ringing we will still be answering them, providing calm words when needed most.

For more information on Switchboard click here