Join us for an evening of powerful dialogue, queer history, and radical visibility as Sacha Coward sits down with Majid Parsa for an intimate in-conversation event at The Common Press.
In a world where LGBTQ+ lives are often pushed to the margins, We Have Always Been Here is a timely reminder that our stories are not new — they are foundational. From hidden archives to public resistance, Sacha and Majid will explore what it means to uncover queer histories, the importance of reclaiming space, and the role of storytelling in challenging erasure.
Expect reflections on identity, activism, and community across time, with insights from Sacha’s work as a queer historian and Majid’s eye opening first hand account of growing up as a gay man in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Together, they will discuss how we honour our past while imagining more inclusive futures.
@Sacha Coward
Sacha Coward is a historian, public speaker, researcher and museum guide with a speciality in LGBTQ+ history. His first book, Queer as Folklore, explores the queer histories behind our myths and monsters.
@Majid Parsa
Majid Parsa (pseudonym) comes from a mixed Iranian–Turkish background and lived in Iran for twenty-nine years. He started writing in 2018. His debut,The Ayatollah’s Gaze, is his eye-opening life story of growing up as a gay man in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Majid now lives in the UK where he is a senior practicing doctor, living with his partner and two cats.