bethan ✌️️
Stories (1/0)
Pride: The 1984 Miners' Strike
Since the initial criminalisation of homosexual relations between two males during the Roman Empire, the LGBTQ+ community has faced much discrimination and oppression, despite the many famous and powerful figures throughout history who have been openly or privately involved in homosexuality. Such figures have seen varying levels of acceptance or discrimination; for example, King James had three serious male lovers whom he placed as his favourites in politics. It was well known that he favoured these men and some were brought before the King with the intent to change the "favourite" dynamic within the King’s Court. In comparison, Alan Turing was condemned for his homosexuality and was made to take hormonal altering drugs. When he was convicted of "gross indecency," he was given the option of jail or chemical castration. Ultimately, he chose the latter but it caused him to suffer much horrendous physical and mental distress; including impotency, breast development, and depression. He committed suicide two years later, at the age of 41 (Tatchell 2014). Although typically one may not think that the 1980s were a particularly progressive or welcoming time for the LGBTQ+ community, there were many advances made that increased awareness and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community and their struggles. One factor that contributed to the change in social and political attitudes to homosexuality was the Miners’ Strike of 1984.The relationship built between London LGSM and the mining communities of Neath, DuLais, and Swansea and beyond led to both major political advancement in the rights of the LGBTQ+ community but also a change in attitude from society as a whole. Whether or not the Miners’ Strike and LGSM had a majorly significant impact on changing social and political attitudes is somewhat contentious as the 1980s were a major time of change already for the LGBTQ+ community prior to the Strike, in part due to the AIDS/HIV hysteria which created much stigma surrounding gay relationships. This essay will assess the significance of the 1984 Miners’ Strike in comparison to other factors that occurred prior to and in the same time period as the strike to evaluate the strike’s overall impact.
By bethan ✌️️6 years ago in The Swamp