Manchester’s gay village is preparing to celebrate 10 years since the repeal of controversial Section 28 law today – and combining with it a protest march in support of Russia’s LGBT community.
Introduced by the Thatcher government, Section 28 was blamed for inciting discrimination as it banned the promotion of homosexuality in schools.
Salford University will be holding the protest march on the ten-year anniversary of the repeal to send a message of love and support to Russia’s LGBT community.
The 1988 UK law has been compared to recent Russia legislation – particularly Article 6.21, which banned ‘propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations’ in June this year.
As part of February’s alternative opening ceremony to the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, students are creating the play Article 6.21 as part of To Russia with Love – a selection of dramatic performances.
Today the cast will march through Manchester’s gay village from 1.00pm and the project’s artistic director Adam Zane believes that it is crucial to acknowledge the anniversary in this way.
“Russians are living under their own Section 28 and on the 10th anniversary of this important milestone in LGBT history, we have to send a message of solidarity and support,” he told MM.
The cast have recreated the iconic ‘Never Going Underground’ banner for the march that became a central image of protest against Section 28.
They will also be holding placards with messages of protest – particularly against Vladimir Putin.
Mr Zane said: “It was very moving seeing the Salford students making the ‘Never going underground’ banner.
“Young people are getting more and more political and they want to send a clear message demanding LGBT equality.”
For the former Queer as Folk actor today’s protest will also be about raising awareness as part of Anti-bullying Week which starts today.
“I will be marching with them as someone who visits schools discussing homophobia and gay issues,” he said.
“Homophobic bullying is still happening in our schools and some still don’t have policies that support their LGBT students.
The Hope Theatre Company’s anti-homophobia play Out/LOUD will be touring this week in secondary schools across the Greater Manchester region and has been seen by more than 15,000 young people nationally.
Mr Zane said: “This is something that could never have happened under Section 28.”
Teachers across Greater Manchester are also coming together to celebrate the repeal of the law which caused so much hatred.
Joanna Walker, assistant head at Levenshulme High School, said: “Section 28 was deliberately designed to stigmatise and demean LGBT people and their families.
“This ignorance, fear and embarrassment was ‘promoted’ in schools due to the fact homophobia couldn’t be addressed properly or at all due to schools hiding behind this policy and LGBT teachers being ‘silenced’.”
However she went on to add that the repeal helped to not only lift the fear in the country but also facilitate a change in the culture towards LGBT communities within the UK.
She added: “The repeal promoted a significant shift in ethos for the whole country.
“Now I feel that not only can homophobia be addressed in schools but LGBT issues and people can be celebrated with pride, not only from the point of view of LGBT educators but for LGBT families, students and every part of the community.”
Claire Reedy, a teacher from Greater Manchester, added that the repeal was important for the LGBT community but stressed that there is more work to be done to ensure all UK schools become inclusive.
“The repeal of Section 28 was an important step in the recognition of LGBT people in education,” she said.
“However, far more work is needed still to ensure all UK schools become inclusive environments where all students and staff feel supported, all family types are celebrated and no one lives in fear of their sexual orientation being discovered.”
Sue Sanders, Co-Chair of Schools Out, has encouraged people to get involved with the promotion.
“We are asking that you join us in wearing pink and take a picture of yourself holding a simple message that reflects this promotion on November 18, such as ‘Pink to promote Equality,” she said.
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