I came out as transgender twice in the same year.   Holding down a university lecturer post and being a commercial DJ was a happy combination.  Monday to Thursday.  Respectable pillar of society and Friday and Saturday,  (mainly) a mobile wedding DJ and Hotel DJ. This screeched to a halt one summer 20 years ago.  

I had come out to myself much, much earlier and was on estrogen and Spiro for years before.   This, in itself was a great help to me.  But it was never going to be enough. 

So one summer, I told my uni that when I return, I will be Simone.  It caused a great deal of turmoil in the personnel department.  A specialist was hired to speak to me.  There was talk of me having to prove that I had the right to work in the UK (despite being here all my life).   It was a trial.

When I came out to my agent.  She said “about fxcking time.. I was waiting for you to say..”

Both aspects of my work didn’t really skip a beat.   Uni went with it, but actually chose some non contentious schools to work with ( I teach on the Post Grad certificate of education) and this year, I had the honour of working with my first trans trainee teacher!

My agent was so supportive.   She rang clients and basically said, “you know that geezer who was booked to DJ your event?  Well he is a she now… “.  I only had one cancellation out of hundreds.  In fact my work increased. 

A few years back, I really wanted to slow down and stop the whole mobile DJ business.   The up side is that it pays.  It pays well.  But involves a large van, full of gear and the setting up, performance and taking down as well as driving many many miles and sometimes finding a parking space too.

This stopped five years ago.  I now DJ for Trans Radio and do queer pubs and clubs in and around London.

Being a DJ is such a great dopamine fix.  To have a bunch of people dancing and having a great time because of what you do is the best drug free fix you can get.  Playing in a queer club in the middle of Soho is that times 100.

In my experience, queer clubs are the safest, most inclusive venues and are so welcoming and friendly.   Many of my gigs fall into the Hackney area of London, which is a diverse yet very queer friendly part of town.

Places I have DJed and can 100 percent recommend would be (in no order) Bethnal Green Working Mens Club (yes, it does not sound queer, but it was taken over many years ago and it is worth a visit!).  Queen Adelaide.  This runs a Trans Late club every two months run by my good friend DJ-CK.  Dalston Superstore is an iconic queer bar that has great music and great company.  The Devine is a few doors up from Superstore, but their drag nights are to die for!  Fold, also is in Hackney and has a good vibe and can be quite Techno!

Finally, I can’t not mention my home in Soho.  No, I don’t live here, but I have DJd for Coven that started in Hackney Wick, then Haggarston and then Dalston until we have come to rest in what was G A Y.  Our new home is 30 Old Compton Street, Soho, a stones throw from China Town.  Come and say hello!

Simone’s show is from 6 to 7 on a Friday night!