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'''Clifford Williams''' is a researcher and historian. Clifford grew up as a gay teenager in the London Borough of [[Sutton]] in the 1970s and discovered the [[London Gay Teenage Group]] in 1978.  
'''Clifford Williams''' is a researcher and historian. Clifford grew up as a gay teenager in the London Borough of [[Sutton]] in the 1970s and discovered the [[London Gay Teenage Group]] in 1978 <ref> Interviewed 17 July 2017 for Voices for Heritage Project; interview recording held in Wessex Film and Sound Archive in Winchester https://archivescatalogue.hants.gov.uk/records/AV1637/1/S1/19 </ref>.  
He wrote about that experience in his book 'Courage to Be' published by the Book Guild in 2021 <ref> https://www.bookguild.co.uk/bookshop/book/325/courage-to-be-organised-gay-youth-in-england-1967-1990/ </ref>. Whilst at school he joined the local Young Liberals and canvassed for the party at elections, including for [[Michael Steed]]. He was also a member of the Anti-Apartheid Movement and C.N.D.
He wrote about that experience in his book 'Courage to Be' published by the Book Guild in 2021. The book is a comprehensive history of the early gay and lesbian youth groups in England (1967-1990) at a time when gay sex was still illegal for, or with, anyone under 21 years of age <ref> https://www.gaystheword.co.uk/product-page/courage-to-be-organised-gay-youth-in-england-1967-1990-by-dr-clifford-williams </ref>. Whilst at school he joined the local Young Liberals and canvassed for the party at elections, including for [[Michael Steed]]. He was also a member of the Anti-Apartheid Movement and C.N.D. <ref> On the Record deposited in the Bishopsgate Institute 5CR/3/6 Audio recording, video recording and transcript from an oral history interview with Clifford Williams, conducted as part of the 5 Cally Road project by On The Record (2020) </ref>.


Williams studied History and Social Anthropology at the School of Oriental and African Studies, [[University of London]], graduating with First Class Honours. He then went to study Criminology at [[Trinity Hall, Cambridge]] ([[University of Cambridge]]) before embarking on research for a PhD based at the University of [[Bradford]] <ref> Phd Offenders and Victims of Crime 1997 . A copy is held in the [[Rotherham]] Archives </ref>.
Williams studied History and Social Anthropology at the School of Oriental and African Studies, [[University of London]], graduating with First Class Honours <ref> His first published work was "Asante: Human sacrifice or capital punishment? An assessment of the period 1807–1874" in The International Journal of African Historical Studies. 21 (3): 433–441. doi:10.2307/219449. JSTOR 219449.(1988) </ref>. He then went to study Criminology at [[Trinity Hall, Cambridge]] ([[University of Cambridge]]) before embarking on research for a PhD based at the University of [[Bradford]] and doing part-time work for the Home Office Research Unit <ref> Phd Offenders and Victims of Crime 1997 . A copy is held in the [[Rotherham]] Archives </ref>.


Williams served as a police officer from 1987-2012, witnessing a transformation of the police relations with lgbt peoples. An article published in the Journal of the Police History Society captures this remarkable turnaround <ref> Clifford Williams (2019) 'Gay men and the police 1950-2010' in the Journal of the Police History Society no 33 pp56-60 </ref>. While serving as a police officer Williams came out as [[bisexual]] and was the most senior ''out'' male officer marching at [[Brighton]] Pride in 2007.
Williams served as a police officer from 1987-2012, witnessing a transformation of the police relations with lgbt peoples. An article published in the Journal of the Police History Society captures this remarkable turnaround <ref> Clifford Williams (2019) 'Gay men and the police 1950-2010' in the Journal of the Police History Society no 33 pp56-60 </ref>. While serving as a police officer Williams came out as [[bisexual]] and was the most senior ''out'' male officer marching at [[Brighton]] Pride in 2007 <ref> the first year Hampshire police officers were allowed to march in uniform at a Pride event </ref>. In 2025 part of Williams' research into police and gay men was published in the Journal Policing and Society <ref> A complete turnaround: police and gay men 1950–2010 Williams, C. (2025) Policing and Society, 35(5), 624–645. </ref>.


Williams has documented the LGBT history of [[Hampshire]] in a booklet 'A Queer A-Z of Hampshire' <ref> Published in 2019, went into two editions in that year, and a third edition was published in 2024.Hampshire Record Office hold a copy </ref>.
Williams has documented the LGBT history of [[Hampshire]] in a booklet 'A Queer A-Z of Hampshire' <ref> Published in 2019, went into two editions in that year, and a third edition was published in 2024.The [[Bishopsgate Institute]] and Hampshire Record Office hold a copy </ref>.


[[File:Islington11022020.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Clifford Williams giving a talk in Finsbury Library February 2020]]
[[File:Islington11022020.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Clifford Williams giving a talk in Finsbury Library February 2020]]
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Williams has given numerous presentations on lgbt history, both in person and online. Some of these presentations are available on You Tube <ref> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ima9GZjw_Nw is an example of a recorded talk </ref>.BBC Radio interviewed Williams about gay liberation on the 50th anniversary of the GLF <ref> 50 years on since the formation of the Gay Liberation Front.
Williams has given numerous presentations on lgbt history, both in person and online. Some of these presentations are available on You Tube <ref> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ima9GZjw_Nw is an example of a recorded talk </ref>.BBC Radio interviewed Williams about gay liberation on the 50th anniversary of the GLF <ref> 50 years on since the formation of the Gay Liberation Front.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p08v45nc (accessed 23.12.2024) </ref>.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p08v45nc (accessed 23.12.2024) </ref>.
In February 2024 Williams led a Mr [[George Lucas]] walking tour of the West End and Soho.
In February 2024 Williams led a Mr [[George Lucas]] walking tour of the West End and Soho. His current research includes policing gay men 1950-2010 <ref> Article in Policing and Society issue 5 2025 </ref>, the life of Gabriel D'esty (1895-1968) a gay man who lived in [[Bishop's Waltham]], and the [[Southampton]] gay scene 1960-1999 <ref> https://godshousetower.org.uk/eventer/talk-capturing-southamptons-gay-scene-1960-1999-by-clifford-williams/edate/2025-08-24/ </ref>.




Latest revision as of 13:06, 24 February 2026

Clifford Williams is a researcher and historian. Clifford grew up as a gay teenager in the London Borough of Sutton in the 1970s and discovered the London Gay Teenage Group in 1978 [1]. He wrote about that experience in his book 'Courage to Be' published by the Book Guild in 2021. The book is a comprehensive history of the early gay and lesbian youth groups in England (1967-1990) at a time when gay sex was still illegal for, or with, anyone under 21 years of age [2]. Whilst at school he joined the local Young Liberals and canvassed for the party at elections, including for Michael Steed. He was also a member of the Anti-Apartheid Movement and C.N.D. [3].

Williams studied History and Social Anthropology at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, graduating with First Class Honours [4]. He then went to study Criminology at Trinity Hall, Cambridge (University of Cambridge) before embarking on research for a PhD based at the University of Bradford and doing part-time work for the Home Office Research Unit [5].

Williams served as a police officer from 1987-2012, witnessing a transformation of the police relations with lgbt peoples. An article published in the Journal of the Police History Society captures this remarkable turnaround [6]. While serving as a police officer Williams came out as bisexual and was the most senior out male officer marching at Brighton Pride in 2007 [7]. In 2025 part of Williams' research into police and gay men was published in the Journal Policing and Society [8].

Williams has documented the LGBT history of Hampshire in a booklet 'A Queer A-Z of Hampshire' [9].

Clifford Williams giving a talk in Finsbury Library February 2020

Williams has given numerous presentations on lgbt history, both in person and online. Some of these presentations are available on You Tube [10].BBC Radio interviewed Williams about gay liberation on the 50th anniversary of the GLF [11]. In February 2024 Williams led a Mr George Lucas walking tour of the West End and Soho. His current research includes policing gay men 1950-2010 [12], the life of Gabriel D'esty (1895-1968) a gay man who lived in Bishop's Waltham, and the Southampton gay scene 1960-1999 [13].



References

<References> [[Category:Police|]]

  1. ↑ Interviewed 17 July 2017 for Voices for Heritage Project; interview recording held in Wessex Film and Sound Archive in Winchester https://archivescatalogue.hants.gov.uk/records/AV1637/1/S1/19
  2. ↑ https://www.gaystheword.co.uk/product-page/courage-to-be-organised-gay-youth-in-england-1967-1990-by-dr-clifford-williams
  3. ↑ On the Record deposited in the Bishopsgate Institute 5CR/3/6 Audio recording, video recording and transcript from an oral history interview with Clifford Williams, conducted as part of the 5 Cally Road project by On The Record (2020)
  4. ↑ His first published work was "Asante: Human sacrifice or capital punishment? An assessment of the period 1807–1874" in The International Journal of African Historical Studies. 21 (3): 433–441. doi:10.2307/219449. JSTOR 219449.(1988)
  5. ↑ Phd Offenders and Victims of Crime 1997 . A copy is held in the Rotherham Archives
  6. ↑ Clifford Williams (2019) 'Gay men and the police 1950-2010' in the Journal of the Police History Society no 33 pp56-60
  7. ↑ the first year Hampshire police officers were allowed to march in uniform at a Pride event
  8. ↑ A complete turnaround: police and gay men 1950–2010 Williams, C. (2025) Policing and Society, 35(5), 624–645.
  9. ↑ Published in 2019, went into two editions in that year, and a third edition was published in 2024.The Bishopsgate Institute and Hampshire Record Office hold a copy
  10. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ima9GZjw_Nw is an example of a recorded talk
  11. ↑ 50 years on since the formation of the Gay Liberation Front. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p08v45nc (accessed 23.12.2024)
  12. ↑ Article in Policing and Society issue 5 2025
  13. ↑ https://godshousetower.org.uk/eventer/talk-capturing-southamptons-gay-scene-1960-1999-by-clifford-williams/edate/2025-08-24/
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