Steve Johnson author
Steve Johnson is a writer and public speaker living in Lichfield, Staffordshire. Steve is gay and autistic and writes about these aspects of his life. He is passionate about equality, inclusion and understanding and speaks publicly about these issues. Steve’s book Without Favour or Affection, Malice or Ill-Will was published in 2024 and he is now working on the next book which will be about autism, looking at if from the perspective of people living with it. More information can be found at steve.stevejohnson.uk and colour.stevejohnson.uk
BOOK LAUNCH JUNE 2024

Thursday 17th April at 18.30

Rugeley Library, talking about my experiences working at Rugeley Police Station, just a few yards up the road from the library, and the library I used as a child! Details on the poster they have created.

Wednesday 23rd April at 14.00

Shrewsbury LGBTQ+ group talk, details soon!
BOOK TALK AND SIGNING AT THE PRESS BOOK AND COFFEE SHOP IN HEDNESFORD IN JANUARY 2025

Without FAVOUR or AFFECTION, MALICE

or ILL-WILL

5.0 out of 5 stars Giving hope Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 January 2025 - Amazon UK *possible spoilers* This book has been so touching for me and i am so so grateful that it was a choice for our book club. being a part of the lgbtqia+ community and late diagnosed autistic, as well as living in Rugeley, this book was surreal at times and incredibly touching at the end. I felt the anger right along with Steve at the treatment he received from both of the communities which were such a large part of his identity and felt so emotional when he got the support, help and closure he deserved. I am in awe and am so glad I read this book. 5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant book about LGBTQ social history in the UK Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 July 2024 - Amazon UK Verified Purchase This book is a riveting social history of LGBTQ experience from the point of view of a serving police officer, who decided to make the decision to come out as gay and the terrible way he was treated by his superiors within Staffordshire Police at the time. The book really brings over the sense of duality and inner conflict about being a gay man coming to terms with who he is while being part of an institutionally homophobic organisation that he had pledged to serve - could you be openly gay and a police officer within that system at that time? Thankfully, things have changed for the better although we are not completely all the way there yet. I thought this was a passionately and very well written book that I got through in a couple of days as I found it so compelling and the writing really draws you in. Thoroughly recommended. 5.0 out of 5 stars True emotion Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 July 2024 - Amazon UK Verified Purchase This book was truly heartfelt told with such bravery and emotion. Two opposite sides colliding and eventually working together to create a better world. Thank you Steve. 5.0 out of 5 stars The courage to lead Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 August 2024 - Amazon UK Steve loved his job as a special constable in his local police force. He looked forward to the day he could become a regular officer. Then Steve revealed he was gay. Suddenly, life in the force turned into a nightmare. He found himself caught up in a homophobic culture so toxic and ingrained that he ended up fearing not only for his livelihood but his personal safety. From today’s perspective it is almost impossible to imagine being brought before your boss to be interrogated about your private life with your partner, even about the private lives of your friends. And to be warned that your mates might not come to your aid in a dangerous situation because they fear you’re a health risk. Steve declined to answer the appalling questions. And neither would he just quietly quit and disappear. Instead, he stayed on to fight for justice and acceptance. Others followed and eventually the proud day came when the police force he served with topped the league of gay-friendly employers. Today, Steve harbours no bitterness; he is just happy that no young recruit will suffer the discrimination, ignorance and prejudice that traumatised his early working life. His moving memoir is a reminder that bringing about much-needed change comes at a price and that those courageous enough to pay it are true heroes. 5.0 out of 5 stars Let Us Never Forget Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 July 2024 - Amazon UK Steve Johnson's new book illuminates a period in our history before Staffordshire Police recognised the need to support LGBT+ equality. This powerful personal story describes the terrible harassment and prejudice Steve experienced more than a decade before Staffordshire Police were recognised by Stonewall as the most gay friendly employer in Britain. Steve's personal account of what happened when he came out to his colleagues as gay, speaks of a time before the equality act protected LGBT rights in employment and long before we had any Pride celebration in Staffordshire or Stoke-on-Trent. This is history told through the detail of a personal and frank account. Parts of this book made me angry and parts made me sad. It is very well written and I am glad I read it and remembered the times that I, as a 61 year old gay man in Staffordshire, also lived through. Steve's perspective from inside the police is different in all kinds of ways, and that is part of what makes this book so compelling. But in the end it is a human story about the need for friendship, love and acceptance. To the younger generation I say - please learn the lessons of our history so that it is never repeated. This book is essential reading for anyone that wants to understand what life was like for the LGBT community in our recent past. 5.0 out of 5 stars You will not be able to put this book down Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 July 2024 - Amazon UK Steve is an inspiration to everyone! How he writes about his troubles and mistreatment within Staffordshire Police because of his sexuality is aspiring. His strength and determination to stand up for what he knows is right is admirable. I would recommend this book to anyone that is struggling with something in their life, whether that is mistreatment in a job, not being accepted due to your disability/sexuality/religion, an abusive relationship, or whatever else you’re going through. 5.0 out of 5 stars A really important story Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 July 2024 - Amazon UK This is a really important story! Please read it and do not forget how things used to be. A great book. 5.0 out of 5 stars Great book Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 June 2024 - Amazon UK Couldn’t put this book down please buy it. It is a great piece of personal history, the way Steve must have felt being treated the way Staffordshire police treated him for being gay, I take my hat off to you Steve for staying so strong for so many years, you are a true legend in the gay community for standing up for yourself , me and the whole gay community 5.0 out of 5 stars That society has moved on from the late 90's Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 June 2024 - Amazon UK I think the book ought to be given to every new police recruit. Hopefull showing that being a good cop one day to being a bad cop the next day, because he is gay doesn’t add up. I couldn't put it down as I was intrigue to find out what Staffordshire Police would come out with the next time. Well done Steve for hanging on in there. 5.0 out of 5 stars This is an important story! Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 June 2024 - Amazon UK An engaging story that reminds us how much society has progressed since the 1990s. Steve Johnson was horribly mistreated for being gay and his determination to fight led to important changes. Highly recommended “Such an important story” 17th July 2024 - Waterstones This is a story that really needed to be told. Indicative of the huge changes society has gone through over the past thirty years summarized in the experiences of one man. It’s an engaging and compelling read and highly recommended for anyone interested in social history. Thank you Steve.
Steve Johnson author
Steve Johnson is a writer and public speaker living in Lichfield, Staffordshire. Steve is gay and autistic and writes about these aspects of his life. He is passionate about equality, inclusion and understanding and speaks publicly about these issues. Steve’s book Without Favour or Affection, Malice or Ill-Will was published in 2024 and he is now working on the next book which will be about autism, looking at if from the perspective of people living with it. More information can be found at steve.stevejohnson.uk and colour.stevejohnson.uk
BOOK LAUNCH JUNE 2024

Thursday 17th April at 18.30

Rugeley Library, talking about my experiences working at Rugeley Police Station, just a few yards up the road from the library, and the library I used as a child! Details on the poster they have created.

Wednesday 23rd April at 14.00

Shrewsbury LGBTQ+ group talk, details soon!
BOOK TALK AND SIGNING AT THE PRESS BOOK AND COFFEE SHOP IN HEDNESFORD IN JANUARY 2025

Without FAVOUR or

AFFECTION, MALICE

or ILL-WILL

5.0 out of 5 stars Giving hope Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 January 2025 - Amazon UK *possible spoilers* This book has been so touching for me and i am so so grateful that it was a choice for our book club. being a part of the lgbtqia+ community and late diagnosed autistic, as well as living in Rugeley, this book was surreal at times and incredibly touching at the end. I felt the anger right along with Steve at the treatment he received from both of the communities which were such a large part of his identity and felt so emotional when he got the support, help and closure he deserved. I am in awe and am so glad I read this book. 5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant book about LGBTQ social history in the UK Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 July 2024 - Amazon UK Verified Purchase This book is a riveting social history of LGBTQ experience from the point of view of a serving police officer, who decided to make the decision to come out as gay and the terrible way he was treated by his superiors within Staffordshire Police at the time. The book really brings over the sense of duality and inner conflict about being a gay man coming to terms with who he is while being part of an institutionally homophobic organisation that he had pledged to serve - could you be openly gay and a police officer within that system at that time? Thankfully, things have changed for the better although we are not completely all the way there yet. I thought this was a passionately and very well written book that I got through in a couple of days as I found it so compelling and the writing really draws you in. Thoroughly recommended. 5.0 out of 5 stars True emotion Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 July 2024 - Amazon UK Verified Purchase This book was truly heartfelt told with such bravery and emotion. Two opposite sides colliding and eventually working together to create a better world. Thank you Steve. 5.0 out of 5 stars The courage to lead Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 August 2024 - Amazon UK Steve loved his job as a special constable in his local police force. He looked forward to the day he could become a regular officer. Then Steve revealed he was gay. Suddenly, life in the force turned into a nightmare. He found himself caught up in a homophobic culture so toxic and ingrained that he ended up fearing not only for his livelihood but his personal safety. From today’s perspective it is almost impossible to imagine being brought before your boss to be interrogated about your private life with your partner, even about the private lives of your friends. And to be warned that your mates might not come to your aid in a dangerous situation because they fear you’re a health risk. Steve declined to answer the appalling questions. And neither would he just quietly quit and disappear. Instead, he stayed on to fight for justice and acceptance. Others followed and eventually the proud day came when the police force he served with topped the league of gay-friendly employers. Today, Steve harbours no bitterness; he is just happy that no young recruit will suffer the discrimination, ignorance and prejudice that traumatised his early working life. His moving memoir is a reminder that bringing about much-needed change comes at a price and that those courageous enough to pay it are true heroes. 5.0 out of 5 stars Let Us Never Forget Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 July 2024 - Amazon UK Steve Johnson's new book illuminates a period in our history before Staffordshire Police recognised the need to support LGBT+ equality. This powerful personal story describes the terrible harassment and prejudice Steve experienced more than a decade before Staffordshire Police were recognised by Stonewall as the most gay friendly employer in Britain. Steve's personal account of what happened when he came out to his colleagues as gay, speaks of a time before the equality act protected LGBT rights in employment and long before we had any Pride celebration in Staffordshire or Stoke-on-Trent. This is history told through the detail of a personal and frank account. Parts of this book made me angry and parts made me sad. It is very well written and I am glad I read it and remembered the times that I, as a 61 year old gay man in Staffordshire, also lived through. Steve's perspective from inside the police is different in all kinds of ways, and that is part of what makes this book so compelling. But in the end it is a human story about the need for friendship, love and acceptance. To the younger generation I say - please learn the lessons of our history so that it is never repeated. This book is essential reading for anyone that wants to understand what life was like for the LGBT community in our recent past. 5.0 out of 5 stars You will not be able to put this book down Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 July 2024 - Amazon UK Steve is an inspiration to everyone! How he writes about his troubles and mistreatment within Staffordshire Police because of his sexuality is aspiring. His strength and determination to stand up for what he knows is right is admirable. I would recommend this book to anyone that is struggling with something in their life, whether that is mistreatment in a job, not being accepted due to your disability/sexuality/religion, an abusive relationship, or whatever else you’re going through. 5.0 out of 5 stars A really important story Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 July 2024 - Amazon UK This is a really important story! Please read it and do not forget how things used to be. A great book. 5.0 out of 5 stars Great book Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 June 2024 - Amazon UK Couldn’t put this book down please buy it. It is a great piece of personal history, the way Steve must have felt being treated the way Staffordshire police treated him for being gay, I take my hat off to you Steve for staying so strong for so many years, you are a true legend in the gay community for standing up for yourself , me and the whole gay community 5.0 out of 5 stars That society has moved on from the late 90's Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 June 2024 - Amazon UK I think the book ought to be given to every new police recruit. Hopefull showing that being a good cop one day to being a bad cop the next day, because he is gay doesn’t add up. I couldn't put it down as I was intrigue to find out what Staffordshire Police would come out with the next time. Well done Steve for hanging on in there. 5.0 out of 5 stars This is an important story! Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 June 2024 - Amazon UK An engaging story that reminds us how much society has progressed since the 1990s. Steve Johnson was horribly mistreated for being gay and his determination to fight led to important changes. Highly recommended “Such an important story” 17th July 2024 - Waterstones This is a story that really needed to be told. Indicative of the huge changes society has gone through over the past thirty years summarized in the experiences of one man. It’s an engaging and compelling read and highly recommended for anyone interested in social history. Thank you Steve.