We Can Be Heroes
A Survivor's Story
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Amazon Publishing
Published:1st Jun '23
Should be back in stock very soon
This memoir tells the story of Paul Burston's transformation from a young man grappling with identity to a leading LGBTQ+ activist. We Can Be Heroes captures his resilience.
In We Can Be Heroes, Paul Burston shares a deeply personal memoir that chronicles his journey from a small Welsh town to becoming a prominent voice in LGBTQ+ activism. Coming out in the mid-1980s, he faced a world where being gay was often stigmatized. His move to London was filled with hope for a brighter future, yet he was met with tragedy as the AIDS crisis devastated his community. Despite the overwhelming grief, Burston made a commitment to advocate for his friends and the broader LGBTQ+ community, ensuring their voices were heard amidst the pain.
Throughout his journey, Burston’s activism took many forms, from storming the House of Commons to fight for the age of consent to using his journalistic platform to combat tabloid homophobia. He also founded the Polari Prize, celebrating LGBTQ+ literature. However, beneath his public persona lay a struggle with personal demons, including shame and trauma, which led him to self-medicate in an attempt to cope with the pain of loss and the challenges he faced.
We Can Be Heroes is not just a story of survival; it is a testament to resilience and the power of community. With a blend of humor and heartache, Burston reflects on the pivotal decades of the eighties, nineties, and noughties, revealing how he forged a life that his younger self could have only dreamed of. This memoir serves as an inspiration for anyone navigating the complexities of identity and belonging.
“Probably the gay book of the year.” —ES Magazine
“A compelling and hugely enjoyable memoir about a fearless life lived to the full.” —Bernardine Evaristo, author of the Booker Prize winning Girl, Woman, Other
“This memoir is brutally honest…Wonderful!” —Russell T. Davies
“We Can Be Heroes is a book that speaks to us all: a gripping, courageous, compassionate memoir which, like Paul’s hero David Bowie, takes us by the hand and reminds us that we’re not alone.” —Nicholas Pegg, author of The Complete David Bowie
“Incredible.” —Erin Kelly, author of The Skeleton Key
“Paul Burston has been there through years of gay history and struggle, often right on the very front line fighting... It’s a gorgeous memoir. I cannot recommend it highly enough.” —Juno Roche, writer and campaigner
“A brutally honest, unflinching memoir and eye witness account of the most important time in gay British history, from someone who not only lived and survived it, but who helped to shape it. Indispensable.” —John Marrs, author of What Lies Between Us
“Illuminating, engrossing and electrifying.” —Matt Cain, author of The Madonna of Bolton
“I’m inspired, moved, reminded, held, enraged, and consumed with a strange joy. Just remarkable.” —Joelle Taylor, poet, playwright, and author
“We stand on the shoulders of giants, those who fought for our rights today. One of those giants is Paul Burston…I loved We Can Be Heroes. What a treat.” —Jonathan Harvey, actor and playwright
ISBN: 9781662501050
Dimensions: 200mm x 3mm x 19mm
Weight: 272g
320 pages