Robert Apps R.I.P.

Robert Apps a former member of the Sussex Gay Liberation Front died on August 13, 2016.

Robert originally moved to Brighton to work in the food industry and at one time managed a small Tesco store next to the Bulldog pub on St. James Street.

He met Doug Coupe in the early 1970’s and they became friends. Gay Liberation had started at Sussex University headed by Mark Rowlands and Simon Watney.

Doug became one of the early members of Gay Liberation and when Mark and Simon moved away to further their education Doug and Bob together with other local enthusiasts started the Sussex Gay Liberation Front, holding regular meetings at the Stamford Arms in Preston Circus Brighton.

Bob took on the role of running discos at the pub on a Friday night and also sought and found other venues around the centre of Brighton for other regular dances.

Some of the venues that Bob arranged events at included Co-op Hall, the Albion Hotel, Top Rank Dance Club and the Royal Pavilion, which was amazing considering the very negative attitudes prevalent in the 70’s.

Doug Coupe said: “Bob was a very brave man and overcame many difficult confrontations, not least in his dealings with local authority representatives who at that time did not conceal their disapproval of gay people. 

“He certainly contributed to the development of the more liberal attitude which we enjoy today and often many take for granted.”

Robert will be greatly missed by his family and friends especially Doug and his partner Joe Knight who visited him regularly in Eastbourne when he had to go into assisted living accommodation following a massive stroke and right leg amputation.

Doug added: “Young people who take so much for granted should be grateful for the work people like Bob and others did all those years ago, giving their energy and talents to fight for a better Gay Life for us all.”

Roberts funeral will be at Crawley Crematorium on September 7 at noon.