Grant Gulczynski, a young British filmmaker, is intending to make a film about The Lavender Line, Brighton’s original LGBT Switchboard and helpline and needs your help.
GRANT currently splits his time between London and Sarajevo while he completes his PhD in Film Directing.
During a recent visit to Brighton he stumbled upon the small LGBT section in the Brighton Museum. When he returned home he continued researching the history of LGBT Brighton and discovered the existence of the Lavender Line, which eventually became the Brighton and Hove LGBT Switchboard.
Grant says: “I am fascinated about the beginnings of the Lavender Line in a local cafe in 1975 and the rich stories those close to it could tell about what it was like to be queer during those transgressive stages for the community.”
Inspired by the possibilities of these real life accounts, Grant is planning to make an abstract documentary film essay about this.
In order to get the ball rolling he needs to make contacts locally and find people from that generation who had some connection to the Lavender Line, as either volunteers or callers, and who are willing to speak to him.
Grant continued: “I am fully aware that this may be a sensitive subject and memory for some people so I would like to make clear my intentions straight away. I will be using the stories and memories I am told as the research to inspire the stories told in the film, not directly retelling. Therefore, no names or identifying details will be used, giving those who are interested in helping as much confidentiality as they desire.”
In brief, Grant is looking for members of the LGBT community who had a relationship with the Lavender Line/LGBT Switchboard during the twenty-year period from 1975 to 1995 and are willing to tell their memories of that time.
Grant concluded: “This film is important to me as a filmmaker and a gay man, due to the belief that the personal history of the LGBT community should be documented for future generations to learn.”
To contact Grant, email:
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