Julia Darling 1956-2005

proudWORDS would like to pay tribute to the writer Julia Darling who died on Wednesday April 13th 2005.

In addition to being a wonderful novelist, playwright and poet, Julia was one of the founders of the proudWORDS festival. Her commitment and enthusiasm became the driving force that enabled the festival to become an annual fixture. In 1997, Julia, along with Lisa Matthews and Barry Stone, suggested that the University of Newcastle host a week-long series of workshops for lesbians, gay men and bisexual people. The festival attracted hundreds of participants and set the seal for Newcastle to become a centre for gay writing.

During the years that followed Julia continued to lead the organisation and was involved in all aspects of the work, from contacting writers and hosting events to making dozens of proudWORDS bookmarks from sticky backed plastic and synthetic pink fur. Julia was passionate about the creative process and a wonderful communicator. Her workshops for beginners were always oversubscribed. More recently she decided to concentrate on her own writing, but she continued to offer support and encouragement. In 2004, she read poetry at the proudWORDS AGM and in 2003 she was involved in a proudWORDS event with Alan Hollinghurst.

Julia touched the lives of so many people with her positive attitude to life, her vivacity and humour. She said that there are not enough gay gravestones, and planned that the wording on her own gravestone would acknowledge this important aspect of her life.

She was a friend, an inspiration and a great support; she will be greatly missed.