Jim Scott He/him & Jonathan Squires He/him

Jim Scott identifies as a cis male and was born in Scotland in 1943.  Jonathan Squires identifies as a cis male and was born in Weston Super Mare in 1962.  In this joint interview they reflect on their personal experiences as gay men living in Milton Keynes from the 1980s onward. Jim  was active in London’s Gay Liberation Front.  He moved to Milton Keynes in 1982, where he found limited local LGBTQ+ spaces.  He remained socially connected through nearby cities and initiatives like the Royal Engineer pub’s gay night and the local Gay Switchboard. Jonathan also relocated in 1982 and describes his early apprehension about coming out and how the Royal Engineer pub helped him build confidence and community. They both recall the devastating impact of the HIV/AIDS crisis, with Jim narrowly avoiding infection and Jonathan living with HIV today thanks to modern treatments. They speak fondly of the Gay Outdoors Club, reflect on societal changes—including reduced stigma and better policing—and emphasise the importance of recording LGBTQ+ histories through projects like this. Their stories highlight both the challenges and enduring friendships that have shaped LGBTQ+ life in Milton Keynes.