Cloud Downey
Born in Liverpool, Cloud discovered a secretive gay scene in 1959 at age of 17 and arrived in London iin 1969. Working mostly in theatre as an actor and director, he joined the GLF in 1971 and started the first gay commune in Tulse Hill, later moving to Notting Hill.
In 1989 he was a trustee of Body Positive and founded the Positive Theatre company for people who were HIV positive or had AIDS.
He lost his partner of 30 years in 2018 and now lives with his cat in Hackney, enjoys writing and is currently working on his memoir.
What does your identity mean to you?
It is me. I wouldn’t want to be any other way. Despite many difficulties including harassment, HIV and cancer, I’m glad to live in the world as myself, out and proud.