In 1984 the miners strikes gripped the nation affecting thousands of
families in the North East with dramatic scenes from Billy Elliot the
Movie, capturing the era many still remember to this day.
To mark this 40th anniversary, Durham Pride has a launch event
highlighting another award-winning film, Pride the Movie. This amazing
story of hope through adversity captured the unexpected alliance of the
National Union of Mineworkers and a friendship between a Welsh mining
village and a group named Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM).
Those attending were Mike Jackson from LGSM with Stephen Guy, Chairman
of the Durham Miners Association with their banner supporting the Durham Pride 2024
launch event. Mike played a pivotal role in founding the LGSM and
regularly attends the Durham Miners Gala and Stephen has been speaking
on the Pride stage since the beginning, expressing solidarity in our
cause for Durham to be more LGBT+ inclusive and welcoming.
This year, we are inviting everyone to enter our new art competition ‘The
Rainbow’s Miners Lamp’ with entry details on the Durham Pride website and prize for
the winner.
At the launch, held at Durham University with members of the North East
England Rainbow Alliance, Durham Pride’s very own Drag Princess Miss Emma
Royd lit the Rainbow Miners lamp to signify the lasting bond
between Durham Pride and the Durham Miners Association.
Mel Metcalf Chair of Durham Pride said:
“We should never forget the hard-fought solidarity between 2 very
different communities and the long-lasting friendships it formed,
captured by the award-winning Pride Movie. Things have improved for many
LGBT+ people but we should remember that everything we have fought to achieve, can be stripped away at any time. Pride is a celebration of what has been achieved but also a protest to remind people of the day-to-day inequalities people still face for just
being their true authentic selves.
Having the Durham Miners banner with the Chairman Stephen Guy and Mike
Jackson, founder of LGSM as part of this launch is an incredible honour
for us.”
Stephen Guy Chairman of Durham Miners Association said:
“In 1984, at the height of the Miners’ Strike, when Thatcher’s government
was seeking to starve striking miners back to work, it was the LGSM who
stepped up to offer financial and other support. The generous donations
put food on the table for our families and their support on the picket
lines and at rallies boosted morale.
The alliance and solidarity created 40 years ago grows stronger with each
passing year. It will never be forgotten and is repaid at every
opportunity. It was the NUM who called upon the TUC and Labour Party to
campaign for greater equality for LGBT rights.
That mutual support, born from a position of unconditional solidarity,
will be evident once again at Durham Pride on 26th May.”
The headliner for Durham Pride 2024 is Aston Merrygold from boyband JLS, and Durham OnAir will be providing coverage alongside Pride Radio.
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