We Can Be Heroes: A Survivor's Story

Product Information

Our dreams and pathways change, what we wanted at 20 may well be different at 30 and change again by the time we reach 40, our dreams evolve. It is our failure to become that perceived dream which ultimately defines us all. In fact, it is our mistakes and or challenges and our personal acceptance of them which allows the real person to emerge. Paul’s struggles, his successes, his highs and lows and ultimately his understanding of them and his acceptance of them which make this the most compelling and personal story. I first came across Bartlett in the late '80s with his landmark play, A Vision of Love Revealed in Sleep – which began as a one-man performance piece and was later developed into a full scale production. NetGalley reviewer - ‘ Paul Burston seems to have lived at least six lives in one and each is worthy of its own biography.

Juno Roche - ‘Paul Burston has been there through years of gay history and struggle, often right on the very front line fighting for space, fighting for others. I read this straight through - couldn ’ t put it down. It ’ s a gorgeous memoir. ’ Paul Burston is the author of six novels and four non-fiction books and editor of two short story collections. Paul's role in both living and shaping these periods is fascinating- from the small disagreements between activists to the huge campaigns which came at the expense of so many. Janet Ellis -‘What a book! Honest, vivid, raw, revealing and written with generosity and charisma. ’

The book, of course, is also about the Aids plague, and its devastating effects. Not only did it cause illness and death, but led to homophobia becoming rife in Britain. It became a very unsafe place for visibly gay men, like Burston. Louise Swanson - ‘ Paul ’ s story is one of trauma, danger, excess and pain, but also one of compassion, strength, fight and bravery. I defy anyone not be moved by this powerful memoir.’ If you like or love David Bowie then you’ll adore this book, though my favourite line is reserved for another great musical icon, Kate Bush: “To be fair,” Burston writes, “Few things in life are as dramatic as 'The Dreaming' by Kate Bush.” I laughed out loud: so true, so perfect. Wow, what a life this guy has had thus far! Ups and downs. All laid bare and truth exposed in this book. And also what an eclectic and impressive bunch of shoulders he has touched along the way. And I don't mean in a name dropping way. There is no one-upmanship to be found herein. Just included as a means to an end - to illustrate, explain. We Can Be Heroes is on one level a very personal insight into a man whom I’m honoured to call a dear friend. However, on another level it is an educational piece, it is the story which should have been shared during those less enlightened Section 28 days, it should be read by all those younger people who are still coming to terms with their sexuality or feeling the loneliness and shame of abuse or bullying. We Can Be Heroes is the story of hope, hard work and salvation.

The writing is always clean and precise which makes it so compelling to read. (It is also formally textured too – take for example the present tense paragraphs that open Chapter 18 in which Burston recalls taking Ecstasy. So clever, beautifully realised). A few years ago, David stepped away from the gay scene and began painting. He was the first out gay artist to exhibit his work at the Houses of Parliament. I know and love Paul Burston, and now I get to know and love his book too! Driven by the need to get out of his small Welsh town and, later, driven by a sense of mortality brought on by the ravages of HIV/Aids in the community, Burston had achieved a great deal by the age of thirty. Described as the 'enfant terrible' of gay UK journalism, he was also regularly off his face on an impressive amount of chemicals. Some constants kept him afloat - the love of his mother, cousin Elaine, sister Jac and 'Auntie' Alma - and his love of David Bowie, which kept him going for years (and still does). In a sometimes emotional conversation, we also discuss our mutual friend Derek Jarman, the late drag legend Regina Fong and contemporary performance artist David Hoyle.

Indeed, the fast pace and observational eye of a journalist appear throughout the book, with a razor-sharp focus on details of a period of time that was so pivotal for queer lives.

As someone who also lived through that era, I found myself nodding along and laughing at the many shared experiences. Like his audience for Polari in Hastings “Most are old enough to remember the 80s and the horrors we lived through”. I cherished revisiting the scene: all the clubs, the music, the bars/pubs and the cinemas, the Bell and Scala being favourites. As Burston puts it, when talking about Riot Act: “We’re all heroes - Michael, Vin, me, and everyone in the audience who identifies with our struggle, whatever their sexuality”. The workshops run by Paul were a great success and participants engaged well. Delivering remote courses can often be difficult but Paul ’ s strong teaching ethic encouraged many to complete the written exercises to a high standard ” - Neil Barclay, Librarian, HMP Thameside Many workshop participants have gone on to perform at Polari salon and had their work published or performed at other venues and festivals. Paul Burston is curator and host of award-winning LGBTQ+ literary salon Polari and founder of the Polari Prize book awards for LGBTQ+ writers, based at the British Library. In 2016, he featured in the British Council’s Global List of ‘33 visionary people promoting freedom, equality and LGBT rights around the world’. A Rainbow List National Treasure and former AIDS activist with ACT UP London, he is one of the subjects of Alexis Gregory’s critically acclaimed verbatim play Riot Act. What does a woman want?” The question famously posed by Sigmund Freud has always puzzled author and psychotherapist Maxine Mei-Fung Chung. Based on the experiences of seven very different women who came to her for help, this is her attempt to answer “What does a woman want?” The question famously posed by Sigmund Freud has always puzzled author and psychotherapist Maxine Mei-Fung Chung. Based on the experiences of seven very different women who came to her for help, this is her attempt to answer the question.

A Note From the Publisher

Now based in St Leonards, Sue continues to paint, run art classes, produce T shirts and help keep Leigh's legacy alive.

A Rainbow List National Treasure and former AIDS activist with ACT-UP London, he is one of the subjects of Alexis Gregory ’ s verbatim play Riot Act .Sue's heroes include Bowery, actor Drew Barrymore, filmmaker Baillie Walsh and fellow artist Rui Miguel Leitao Ferriera. I need to begin this review with a content warning. This review mentions the AIDS crisis, violence against LGBTQ+ folx, discrimination, PTSD, drug abuse, and sexual assault. I try to approach these issues with tact, but you may want to avoid this review if these topics are just too raw for you. More than a memoir, this personal insight into over three decades of film and television makes for a fascinating read. Of course it's helped by the fact that the author is Fenton Bailey, one half of World of Wonder, and responsible for films as diver More than a memoir, this personal insight into over three decades of film and television makes for a fascinating read. Of course it's helped by the fact that the author is Fenton Bailey, one half of World of Wonder, and responsible for films as diverse as Party Monster (about killer club kid Michael Alig) and The Eyes of Tammy Faye (about the televangelist who showed compassion towards people with AIDS when this was thin on the ground). Together with partner Randy Barbato, Bailey also brought us the world conquering RuPaul's Drag Race. In other words, he knows his stuff. I had never heard of Burston before. He comes across as hugely courageous and unafraid to stand up for his convictions. He’s also totally out there, and has the confidence to be himself. And yet he writes with humility, and is happy to detail his failings, his demons, his shame, and his survival. If I could offer any advice to my younger self, I’d tell him two things. One, there are plenty of people who can drink alcohol and experiment with drugs without putting themselves in life-threatening situations.