Catalogue Number
NMLH.2022.171
Object Name
Collection Record
Title
John Frary McKay collection
Date
1970
Description
Collection on John Frary McKay. The collection includes a selection of badges, Gay rights activism 1980s photos, NALGO conference 1983 Isle of Man photos and item, Judith Williams campaign photos and NALGO conference 1983 newspaper pamphlet.
Following was written by his sister, Alison Mckay.
'John Frary McKay, 6th June 1960-6th November 2004. John McKay was a professional librarian who was also an activist for gay rights and a committed trade unionist. John was born on 6 June 1950 in Fraserburgh in northeast Scotland. He graduated from the University of Aberdeen with an honours degree in English in 1972. He trained as a librarian in London and worked for twenty one years as librarian at Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication in Kent. He returned to Scotland in 1997 and became Head of Information services at The Glasgow School of Art. He died of cancer on 6th November 2004, aged 54 years.
John lived life with enormous energy and enthusiasm. His beliefs and political convictions were there to be acted upon. It was rare to see John without a banner, a tee shirt or a badge at the ready for the next demonstration. His commitment to social justice, peace and gay rights became an abiding characteristic and enabled him to establish a wide network of friendships and collaboration.
John gave his time and energy to many movements and campaigns. In London in the 1970s he was involved with 'Librarians for Social Change' alongside John Lindsay and Malcom Dobson with the CISSIE campaign alongside Liz Wynton and Sheila Francis. In the 1980s and early 1990s he was an active member of Bromley NALGO/UNISON alongside Glenn Kelly and Kath Smith and involved in many trade union campaigns to support miners, home care workers and others and to halt the privatisation of public services. By the late 1990s in Scotland he was a peace campaigner at the gates of Falsane naval base.
John was instrumental with Lionel Starling in founding NALGAY, as part of NALGO in 1974. This followed the publication of a letter from Howard Hyman in public service, the NALGO journal, that year. John produced NALGAY news, a bi-monthly newsletter. Eventually a broader initiative on Gay Rights at work developed.
Early campaigns supported the cases of Susan Shell, Ian Davies and Judith Williams. In May 1981, NUPE member Susan Shell was sacked from her job as a residential care assistant in Barking, when she came out as a lesbian. NUPE fully supported her, but at that point the law offered no protection. Ian Davies was sacked from his job as principal area officer in Tower Hamlets social services for disclosing voluntarily to his director a fine in connection with his homosexuality. He was later reinstated. NALGO conference in Brighton in 1982 agreed solidarity with Judith Williams, sacked by her employers Care Concern, for being a lesbian. Despite support and a boycott, she did not win reinstatement.
In June 1983, NALGO's annual conference was held on the Isle of Man, where homosexuality was still a criminal offence. A Gay Solidarity demonstration was heldto highlight the need for legal reform. John led the march and presented a petition to the Clerk of Tynwald.
Outside his professional career and political activism, John's interests and hobbies included the arts, architecture, music (early and baroque, opera) and travel.
John was dynamic, respectful and courageous. He is remembered as a man of integrity, commitment and optimism.
Written by Alison McKay (sister) December 2015.'
