In this week’s episode we speak to the trailblazing Monty Moncrieff MBE, Chief Executive of London Friend, a charity for the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ people. The London Friend headquarters acts as a safe space and is one of the longest established LGBTQ+ community centres. It also manages Antidote, a specialist drug and alcohol service, which was the first in the UK to observe the rise of chemsex amongst gay and bisexual men.

Having grown up in the north of England, Monty has been working and volunteering with LGBT organisations for over 20 years, starting as a helpline volunteer and subsequently a trustee with Switchboard LGBT in 1996. Monty was included in the Independent on Sunday’s Rainbow List of the top 100 most influential LGBT people in Britain between 2013 – 2015 and was awarded an MBE in 2018 for his services.

Monty discusses the appearance and rise of the chemsex phenomenon and the impact this has had on a subsection of the gay community. It’s a warm, broad-ranging discussion covering intimacy and emotional connection, loneliness and belonging, mental health and drugs, sex and consent.

Monty shares his experiences growing up gay, his coming out story, #NoOutsiders and the importance of good and early relationship education. We talk apps like Grindr and Scruff and the impact that harnessing technology has had on how men who have sex with men meet each other. Pick your gay tribe! Naomi learns A LOT.

Content Warning: This conversation does go to some dark places and there is mention of sexual abuse and rape.

If these issues have affected you or anyone you know or you’re interested in learning more about the work that Monty does please go to London Friend

The Pleasure Podcast is hosted by Naomi Sheldon and Anand Patel, and is edited by Matt Peover.

Social Media

Monty Moncrieff @MontyMoncrieff

Anand Patel @therealdranand

Naomi Sheldon @NaomiSheldon1

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