Clifford Williams

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. He wrote about that experience in his book 'Courage to Be' published by the Book Guild in 2021 . 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.

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 .

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

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 .

In February 2024 Williams led a Mr George Lucas walking tour of the West End and Soho.