“The scene saved me on so many levels.” This week’s guest on ‘Pause. And Rewind…’ shares as she reflects on her love of the 90s LGBTQ+ scene. She truly deserves her status as Queer Clubland royalty.

As a Club Promoter & Host, Paula Harrowing (she/her) was a driving force behind some of London’s most popular nights, including Queer Nation & Fruit Machine, and particularly events for queer women. Being on the scene in the capital during the early 90s, which she describes as both finding her community & family as well as “chaos & colour”, meant Paula witnessed the rise of HIV & AIDS and with that, many of her friends falling ill & dying.

Whilst there was support for gay men at the time, Paula sprang into action to address the lack of support for women, teenagers & children being diagnosed & co-founded the support agency Body & Soul. As Director, Paula helped brought the conversation around HIV into the mainstream & worked with major organisations such as MTV, The Body Shop, Children in Need & Comic Relief.

All of which is well documented - she’s undoubtedly a nightlife legend & loves the disco. She recounts her first night on the queer scene & name drops Wham!, Kajagoogoo & Sylvester - oh to be a fly on the wall. Yet her origin story is just as RICH!

Paula was born in Eastbourne, to an English father & Burmese mother, but grew up in East Africa & South Africa. She shares anecdotes about safaris with her aunt & a rescue pet rhino. Her relationship with her mother was strained & she often found herself being palmed off or sent to boarding school. She always felt like an outsider - it’s something that she’s channelled throughout her life in the way she shows up for her community. Paula also co-host the brilliant podcast Outsiders Talk - an intergenerational conversation focused production - alongside Spencer Cooper (next week’s guest) which dives into the concept of being an outsider & how this is so common in the queer community.

There’s a brilliant anecdote about chasing Jeremy Irons for an autograph and Paula shares her move to London, early TV career, love for her father, passion for music & women, activism & the gay scene then compared to now plus the lesbian renaissance we’re seeing today - and yes, she loves to see it! Oh & stay tuned for Outsiders Talk series two…

This episode covers some tough topics including family issues, reflections on the HIV & AIDS crisis & life generally being quite challenging so please take care of yourself whilst listening & enjoy - it’s a cracking conversation!

This week’s guest on ‘Pause. And Rewind…’ was not a particularly ambitious teenager. It was generally teased that he likely wouldn’t go on to achieve anything great. Fast forward to today and three degrees, a published book & an Honorary Doctorate later, he’s the leading figure in integrating intersectionality, inclusion and equity in higher education systems, policy and programmes both nationally and internationally.

Dr Arun Verma (he/him) grew up in a big, working class family in Southwest London embedded in two very different cultures. His homelife was centred around Hinduism with the cultural celebrations & festivities that came with that. And on the flip side, his family were the only Indian family on the street & he went to a Church of England school. The two, he feels, were worlds which didn’t fit quite together and he felt both a sense of belonging but also displacement at times - initially from being the quiet one in the family & later with being gay.

Arun didn’t like being told what to do or what to learn. He originally wanted to be a jazz musician & reflects on his experiences on playing in jazz bands around London yet when it came to continuing this as a career, he felt he didn’t have the tenacity that others had.

Flitting between various roles & career focuses including marketing & counselling, he set his sights on research and eventually, after 20+ applications, he was accepted for a PhD at the University of Dundee after a long & gruelling interview process. This was a truly transformative experience for Arun - his discovery of intersectionality not only shaped his career, reputation & impact but became a personal journey & healthy metaphor for his own experiences. This also resulted in a full circle moment having been awarded an Honory Doctorate from Dundee last year during a special ceremony which he recounts.

We chat about the joy of community & working in DEI with amazing humans - and as someone who has got to work with Arun, I agree! - switching off, Arun’s pride in finishing what he starts & how essential disruption is. Enjoy!

This week’s guest was described at school as a ‘natural born leader’ - and it’s clear to see why. Tash Koster-Thomas (she/her) is a DEI consultant & educator, public speaker & activist. She also runs Breaking the Distance, a travel blog with her wife, Marthe, which explores their love of culture, their life together & positive queer representation.

Tash is mum to almost two-year old Sutton - who adorably pops up on lots of our call - and we chat through the joy she brings, the evolution of motherhood & the reality of raising a child in today’s political landscape as part of the LGBQ+ community.

When talking about the mental pull between her need to speak out & take action against injustice - something innate to Tash - & protecting Sutton from what’s going on around her, she shares “I want the world to be a better place for you but I also want to be able to be here for you now, and be a better person for you now.” It’s hard not to be all-consumed with global events so this is something I am sure many people can relate to.

Tash’s confidence shines through & whilst it was no surprise to hear her talk about feeling comfortable in the spotlight, I was not aware of Tash’s colourful career as a performer & dancer! From cruise ships to performing in Spice Girls & Little Mix tribute bands, her love of being on stage was there from a young age, starting with ballet, & she very much affirms “I am still a performer”. Connecting with the audience is a passion she brings to all of her work.

We dive into Tash’s journey to DEI, her relationship with her ‘Superman’ dad & the lessons she learned about herself from being in labour for 3 days! Enjoy…