We Can Be Heroes: A Survivor's Story

Paul Burston's memoir is a brutally honest account of his journey from prejudice to Pride, including his activism, journalism, and novel-founding. He battled demons and self-medicated through his twenties, overcoming near-drowning and a near-fatal overdose.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 01 June 2023
Publisher: Amazon Publishing

This memoir is brutally honest, revealing the journey of Paul Burston, an iconic voice of LGBTQ+ London, from prejudice to Pride. Growing up in a small Welsh town in the mid-1980s, Paul faced societal discrimination and struggled with his identity. Despite his hopes for a happier life in London, he witnessed the devastating impact of AIDS on his new-found community. In the face of grief, Paul vowed to fight for his young friends, who had lost their lives too soon.

As an activist, he stormed the House of Commons during the debate over the age of consent, advocating for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. As a journalist, he spoke out against tabloid homophobia and legal inequality, using his platform to raise awareness. Additionally, Paul founded the groundbreaking Polari Prize, recognizing LGBTQ+ literature. However, his lifestyle masked a deep secret: Paul battled shame, trauma, and grief, which haunted him throughout his life. In an attempt to silence his demons, he resorted to self-medication, engaging in dangerous behaviors that nearly cost him his life.

From almost drowning at eighteen to a near-fatal overdose at thirty-eight, this memoir chronicles the twenty years between. It explores Paul's struggles, resilience, and eventual triumph over adversity. Through his emotional yet often witty storytelling, Paul provides an illuminating perspective on the eighties, nineties, and noughties, offering a glimpse into a time when the LGBTQ+ community faced significant challenges and discrimination.

We Can Be Heroes is a testament to the power of perseverance and the ability to create a life that surpasses one's wildest dreams. It is a story of survival, hope, and the unwavering commitment to fighting for what is right. Paul Burston's journey is a reminder that we can all be heroes, even in the face of adversity.

Weight: 286g
Dimension: 131 x 220 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781662501050