When Cindy Etherton first set eyes on the woman who would become her spouse, the scene was far from romantic. Dressed in a wig and powdered gown, the barrister was leading the prosecution in a high-profile criminal case that stretched over six weeks. Etherton, called as the chief witness for the prosecution, found her testimony dismissed as fiction and her sexuality weaponised against her. The stark atmosphere of the courtroom became the unlikely backdrop for a future that would intertwine truth, crime, and love.
The trial that ignited a lifelong partnership
During the proceedings, Etherton observed qualities in the prosecutor that hinted at a deeper connection. After the bench was cleared, she seized a narrow window of opportunity, citing a legal technicality, to ask the Bar Council for permission to meet the barrister for a brief drink. The council approved, and over a single glass of champagne in August, an instant spark was felt. Their encounter, though brief, set the stage for a friendship that blossomed through exchanged books, shared dinners, and a first kiss on 20 December. The revelation that her new partner was born in the year of the Snake fulfilled a long-standing vision Etherton had received from a Hong Kong fortune-teller.
From courtroom shadows to Claridge’s vows
Two years after that serendipitous meeting, the couple exchanged vows at the iconic Claridge’s hotel in London, sealing their bond before an audience of family and friends. Their union was later expanded with the adoption of a daughter, symbolising the transition from a dark legal arena to a bright, shared domestic life. The memoir, titled Don’t Call This Fiction, emerged in July as a narrative that fuses the procedural tension of a true-crime story with the tenderness of a lesbian love journey.
Why the memoir matters
Etherton explains that the decision to publish such a personal account was driven by a desire to help readers navigate hazardous domestic situations. She describes hope as a discipline, a practice that kept her upright even in the most harrowing moments of her teenage years. The book offers rare insight into the mechanics of certain crimes, drawing from her direct experience in the courtroom while also celebrating resilience and dignity.
Since its release, the memoir has generated a flood of responses. Etherton has been invited to speak before live audiences, and hundreds of messages have arrived expressing gratitude for the candid portrayal of trauma, love, and recovery. The author hopes that sharing her story will encourage others to seek support and recognize the possibility of joy after adversity.
Supporting LGBTQ media and charitable work
The memoir’s promotion aligns with the mission of DIVA, a media platform dedicated to LGBTQIA+ women and gender-diverse individuals. For more than 30 years, DIVA has spotlighted queer stories, and it now operates under the DIVA Charitable Trust. Readers who wish to sustain queer media can learn more about contributing to the Trust’s initiatives through its website.
Etherton’s journey from a courtroom witness to a celebrated author demonstrates how personal truth can transform public perception. By weaving together the stark realities of a criminal trial with the intimate moments of a same-sex partnership, Don’t Call This Fiction stands as both a cautionary tale and a beacon of hope for anyone confronting oppressive circumstances.
