Jaq Bayles
Born in London and brought up in Thanet, Jaq went into journalism straight from school at the age of 17, and spent much of her early working life trying to appear straight in the face of discriminatory employment practices.
Practising secrecy in her professional life was offset by active and visible participation in various political movements dedicated to fighting for LGBT rights.
Jaq has worked with numerous national and international newspapers and magazines and became freelance when she decided to go to university.
Based in Brighton since 1984, she was on the board of Brighton Pride in one of its past incarnations and is currently the features editor for the LGBTQ+ magazine Gscene and very proud to be helping to carry on the work started by James Ledward.
What does your identity mean to you?
Strength, pride, respect for self and others, the personal as political – upfront and unapologetic.