Obviously when I came up here I was on my own. Finding the Lesbian Line in the paper with a number to ring was a godsend. I wouldn't know what to do otherwise. There were friendly people on the end of the phone telling where you could go and what you could do.

Moving up here, I used to go into town on Saturday and look and think: 'She's gay'. But when I lived in London I never saw anyone who I thought would be or could be gay. There were too many people; it was too vast. In Northampton I feel safer and more secure; I can look around and get to know people. You can look at people and say to yourself: 'you're probably the same as me'.

Listen to Jacqui talking about moving to Northampton
(Real 56k, 2'45")
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JACQUI: Yvette is six foot tall with bleach-blonde hair. Years ago when we used to walk though town, they'd look at her and then look at me. Then we'd be holding arms, and then she'd hold my hand on purpose. Then you can see it all going through their minds. Now it's not so bad. It's not so obvious, I suppose, because when we're out she gets looked at all the time anyway.

"People don't see the fact that we're together and look, they see the fact that I've got a disability and look for that reason only."

YVETTE: It doesn't bother me. I can't see them.

JACQUI: It bothers me sometimes. I don't feel it the same now because I think they're looking at her because of her disability [Yvette is blind] rather than because we're together. I get angry now!

YVETTE: There was the time in the pub. We'd just gone for something to eat...

JACQUI: ...She'd dressed up for the evening and had got a little black mini-skirt on. We walked in there and she had her stick. And the whole table looked round at her because someone had obviously said something. And I said to her: "You might as well take a bow". But I don't think they appreciated that. No one said anything; they just looked away.

YVETTE: People don't see the fact that we're together and look, they see the fact that I've got a disability and look for that reason only. Or so we think. We don't think people see us now as anything other. They just treat you as my carer, which annoys the hell out of me.

Listen to Jacqui and Yvette on how others see them
(Real 56k, 1'53")
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YVETTE: I started a new job and thought: 'maybe I have to pretend I'm with a bloke', and Jacqui became Jack. It only lasted two weeks. I was really annoyed at myself for pretending to be something other than what I am. It was easy to say I was with Jack not Jacqui. I don't do that now.

I am who I am and to hell with everything else. To hell with the fact that I like women, rather than blokes. To hell with the fact that I'm not normal in other people's eyes. It's easier now, as I'm getting older.

If you're going to work somewhere and other people talk about husbands and girlfriends, I say: "actually, my other half's female." Jacqui's photograph is on my desk.

It's who I am. I don't give a s*** who knows and who doesn't know.

Listen to Yvette talking about hiding her sexuality
(Real 56k, 2'43")
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"Swansea's a big city and Northampton's a town. Northampton feels less vast, I suppose, and you get different kinds of gay people in it."

JACQUI: Swansea's a big city and Northampton's a town. Northampton feels less vast, I suppose, and you get different kinds of gay people in it. When I was in Swansea, it opened my eyes a bit more. I'd never seen so many men dressed as women!

YVETTE: I just feel safe in Northampton. I don't like the fact there aren't the places to go out and drink. I think a lot of places now say they're gay friendly to get the pink pound in there. But a lot of heterosexuals will then go in to spy - have a look. I don't feel comfortable in those sort of environments.

Listen to Yvette and Jacqui talking about Northampton
(Real 56k, 1'22")
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