- Published on
-
-
- Published on
Our first flat, Canning Highway in Fremantle
Our first time back in Fremantle in three years. It's been a particularly rough few months for me, so a few days off, enjoying the sun in my favourite part of Perth was welcome. I don't relax much these days, but it was nice to just have some time out with Darrell and a Dana. Fremantle was our first home in 1995 and it remains a special place for both of us!
-
- Published on
Click on book above to take you to Amazon
My new book 'Out of the Hallway' is out now. Written under my real name, Darren Light, it documents my coming out story between 1987–1995. A big thank you to John Hibberd for writing the Foreword, and my ex-partner, Martyn, for his emotional, important contribution.
The book is also dedicated to the memory of all those close friends from the 1990s, who have since passed away: Matthew Corbett, Pete Crossman, Andy (Annie) Baxter, Paul (Mother) Judd, Paul Nightingale, Brian Read, Steve Rogers!
RIP my lovelies — My journey wouldn't have been the same without you!
‘Out of the Hallway’ is the second book in a series by author Darren Light. His first book ‘Echoes In The Hallway’ documented Darren’s childhood, growing up in the small market town of Fareham, on the south coast of England, during the 1970s and 80s. His latest memoir, is a story about ‘coming out’ gay, during the late 1980s/early 1990’s. In the middle of a period, steeped in mistrust and misunderstanding, by a public, not yet ready to embrace diversity, ‘Out Of The Hallway’ explores the difficulties Darren encountered. From the relationships that kept him grounded, events that shaped his early adult life, and a culture, often out of control, Darren takes readers on an emotional journey of change and acceptance!
The book delves into the ‘Club Kid’ culture of the 1990s, with a poignant, often savage honesty. The habitual, underground world of clubbing and after parties, is documented with sensitive, honest and candid humour. Suffering with anxiety, Darren found it hard to be recognised as the gay man he was born to be. He takes us on a journey of perplexing emotions and deep enigmatic recollections, of a time, often forgotten, dismissed as a period of excess and extravagance.
Under the surface, love, relationships, companionship and pain, continued in the same way it did in any other community. The nuanced intricacies of life on a scene out of control, offers an insight into the minds of all of those who grew up gay at a time of great political and social change. ‘Out of The Hallway’ describes a scene on the edge, always one step away from disaster!
-
- Published on
-
- Published on
I'm currently in the middle of writing a book, so I'll keep the words brief tonight. This year I will have been blogging for ten years; 2025 is a very important time for many reasons, my blogging anniversary being one. I have also been together with Darrell for three decades, and of course, we have been married ten years. So, this is a chunky, packed milestone for us, and we are both going to pack in as much as possible until our Anniversary trip to Thailand and Singapore in September.
The reasons I started blogging, were born from adverse events. Suffering at the hands of bullies, I decided to start writing my feelings down — part of a process to understand just what was happening to me at the time. It is only today, ten years later, that I have started to reread my blogs from 2015, and they make for interesting reading.
To be perfectly honest, the original reasons I started blogging no longer exist. The bullying that both my partner and I suffered, is long gone, as are the people who systematically orchestrated the pain, we went through. Today my life is far more successful and happier than it was in 2015, so despite them succeeding in driving us away, towards a new life far away from the UK, they failed to destroy us as a couple. As a result of their abuse, now we are both stronger, wiser and far more aware, of the more sinister elements, society can throw our way. The worst year in my life, made us the people we are now, and I couldn't be prouder of how far we have come!
Blogging was a way of keeping my mind active during a terribly difficult period. It allowed me to address the reasons behind the challenging circumstances, we were in the middle of, and try to make sense of the bullying and torment we were dealing with on a daily basis. At the time, I never really reached any firm conclusions as to the bullies motives, but I did lay some rather nasty demons to rest.
Over time, my blog has changed. It is no longer a space full of anger and anxiety; today it is a happy place. Roaming Brit is a rare thing in 2025 — it is a personal blog, a daily diary of my life — currently in Australia. Personal blogging is no longer as popular as it once was, as bloggers channel their efforts into more revenue based online ventures. So for me, I am continuing to do something I love, more than making money off the back of my writing. Being happy and content is all that matters. This is a passion, a love, and a part of who I am.
From adverse times, Roaming Brit has evolved into a magazine, consisting of short stories, travels logs and vlogs, contributions from guest bloggers and of course my weekly musings on everything from politics and current affairs to LGBTQIA+ issues and health. Today I write about whatever is on my mind at the time. It is a hobby that keeps me grounded, in touch with my own feelings and emotions, and has brought me into contact with many interesting people over the years. Many of those I have met through the blogging World, have become good friends and have supported me on this ten year journey of discovery.
To end this short blog today, I just want to thank all of you for following my ramblings, social media accounts and YouTube channel. You have made this decade an amazing, productive and busy time, and I am grateful you have been with me on this rather rocky rollercoaster ride. I have no plans to stop writing anytime soon, you will be pleased to hear; I look forward to the next decade and beyond, and hope Roaming Brit continues to go from strength to strength, as I know it will! Blogging is a way of life, it is in my genes, it has become the life force that keeps me going and the blood that flows through my veins!
