The film that told an unlikely but powerfully true story: how the London lesbian and gay movement came to the aid of the Welsh striking miners in 1980s, and how the friendship was reciprocated.
To mark this decade of movie joy, Nathan Jones and the Alternative Orchestra hosted a special showing of Pride with a live score. The orchestra were joined by a brass band, two male voice choirs and Bronwen Lewis. Those who love the film will not forget the goosebumps that emerge when Bronwen starts singing Bread and Roses halfway through. The same happened with the assembled at the Swansea Arena last week.
The movie shows Mark Ashton – who’s memorial tribute Ribbon Fund supports Terrence Higgins Trust – and Mike Jackson founding Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM). The group included Jonathan Blake, the first patient diagnosed with HIV at the Middlesex Hospital, who transforms the Miners’ Welfare with his dancing. Jonathan continues to be a pioneering campaigner for people living with HIV and Terrence Higgins Trust, most recently as the face of our Chelsea Flower Show garden.
In Dulais, LGSM was hosted by Dai Donovan among others. He was the miner that travelled to London to first meet the group, later speaking at the 1984 benefit concert Pits and Perverts.
Dai spoke at the anniversary event about the solidarity and friendship, the fear of AIDS at the time, and the pride in west Wales that Terry Higgins was one of them and inspired so much.
Bronwen concluded the evening with a 70th birthday tribute to Newport’s Martyn Butler OBE, friend of Terry and co-founder of Terrence Higgins Trust. The evening raised vital funds for Terrence Higgins Trust Cymru – every penny raised will be spent in Wales.
Terrence Higgins Trust was represented by Richard Angell OBE, chief executive of the charity and joined by health secretary Jeremy Miles MS, local MP Carolyn Harris and actor/drag performer Alun Saunders.
