‘Two, four, six, eight… Remember Section 28!’
This was the cry as Salford University students marched through Manchester’s gay village this week to celebrate 10 years since the repeal and protest against recent Russian legislation.
Introduced by the Thatcher government, Section 28 was blamed for inciting discrimination as it banned the promotion of homosexuality in schools.
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.
Salford University held a protest march on the ten-year anniversary of the repeal to send a message of love and support to Russia’s LGBT community.
Protesters marched through Manchester’s gay village on Monday, an action which 20-year-old protester Will Hall felt was crucial to do in order to acknowledge the anniversary and send a message to Russia.
“It was important to remember an event that held such political significance in terms of education in our society and that change can be fuelled by people taking a stand,” said the second year student from Salford University.
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.
The project’s artistic director Adam Zane was incredibly inspired by what he witnessed.
“Today was really empowering,” the former Queer as Folk actor said.
“To see a group of young people chanting ‘two, four, six, eight, Remember Section 28!’ was incredibly moving.”
The protest marched from Albert Square, where the original Section 28 rally took place in Manchester a decade ago and continued along Canal Street.
Mr Zane said: “I just kept thinking about how far we’ve come in ten years.
“While we were in Taurus getting ready a Russian guy came over to see what we were doing. He is an out gay man from Moscow and has agreed to be a part of the project and tell his story.
“It was a reminder why we were there talking about Section 28 and the homophobia in Russia – a really inspiring day to be part of.”
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