This year’s LGBT History Month looked at activism and social change. From national protests to local acts of defiance, members of Norfolk’s LGBTQ+ communities have always been involved in tackling social injustice.
When we think of queer activism and social change in Britain, there are perhaps some marquee moments in history that stand out. None more so than the AIDS pandemic of the 80s and 90s. While the collective memory of the nation mourns the lives lost, within the LGBTQ+ Community at least, the anger felt by many was channelled into direct action, with groups such as AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) engaging in campaigns from leafleting, disruptive public stunts and lobbying. From the UK HIV and AIDS Design Archive, which provides a visual archive of promotional campaigns relating to HIV and Aids, we can see that the Norwich chapter of ACT UP was very active in joining national campaigns on a local level such as joining the call for a national boycott of petroleum company Texaco for its policy of mandatory HIV testing for new hires.
It also tackled issues locally, including the leafleting against a local reverend and his distribution of ‘The True Christian Safe Sex guide’ on the UEA Campus.
ACT UP fought for action to be taken by governments and exposed public ignorance of the disease. It was also instrumental in helping to change attitudes towards safer sex, especially within gay male communities. However, it didn’t discriminate, as this ACT UP Norwich leaflet, created with Norwich Gay Men’s Health Project and Health Action coalition, can attest. Titled ‘Be Safe, Be Sure, Be Happy’, it proudly exclaims that ‘Safe Sex is for Everyone!’ providing the benefits of using condoms and dental dams to prevent a whole host of sexually transmitted diseases, not just HIV.
On 24 May 1988, Section 28 of the Local Government Act came into force, preventing local authorities from promoting homosexuality, including prohibiting teachers from discussing LGBTQ+ issues and relationships. You can read more about the impact of the legislation in our blog, The Long Shadow of Section 28. Trade unionists led opposition to the legislation in Norfolk: The National Union of Students, the Trades Council, the National Union of Teachers, the National and Local Government Officers’ Association, as well as The Women’s Centre. The Women’s Centre set up a Section 28 Working Party that raised funds through film screenings and events. Unfortunately, the opposition did not affect the act being ratified and remained in force until its abolishment in England and Wales in 2003.
Activism doesn’t have to be directly in opposition to laws and social issues. Smaller acts of activism can be used to help normalise behaviours. In 2009, The Norwich Pride Collective staged two campaigns for the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.
‘A Day in Hand’ called upon people to hold hands with someone of the same gender for a short walk around the city. Then, at 12:30 pm, a Kiss In was organised on Haymarket. As the flyer states, ‘It’s a way of claiming the streets as a safe place for everyone, regardless of their sexuality or gender.’
Many of us adopt smaller acts as part of the fabric of our social milieu. Such as the wearing of badges, patches and pins to show support for causes and expressions of our individual queerness and the sharing of our pronouns as an act of normalising the practice of asking, of respect and greater inclusion.
During this LGBT History Month, we can reflect on many of these acts of activism and the social changes they brought about. However, it’s important to not lose sight of the very real fight many in our community continue to battle every day. With the erosion of rights for our trans and non-binary siblings and the continued transphobic bias of global media, now more than ever we need to stand as a community to protect the rights and freedoms of all. Perhaps this LGBT History Month can provide some inspiration on grassroots activism. Can we interest you in an ACT UP die-in anyone?
Words: Sam Tring
Queer Norfolk is a volunteer-led archiving project that hands ownership of queer collections back to communities, empowering people to access, discover, and contribute to local collections that reflect our shared histories.
