Gay in the 80s
@gayinthe80s.bsky.social
Gay in the 80s is a blog and a book about gay life in the UK, Australia and the USA in the 1980s. It offers a unique perspective on a pivotal era in queer history. www.gayinthe80s.com
May 1986. According to UKs 'Sun' newspaper, children saw pictures of "gay lovers" in their school libraries. But it wasn't gay porn, just a book about same sex parents raising their six year old daughter. It wasn't in school libraries either. Just one teachers resource unit. #medialies #homophobia
May 12, 2025 at 11:55 AM
May 1986. According to UKs 'Sun' newspaper, children saw pictures of "gay lovers" in their school libraries. But it wasn't gay porn, just a book about same sex parents raising their six year old daughter. It wasn't in school libraries either. Just one teachers resource unit. #medialies #homophobia
Photo of inside UKs Gay the Word bookshop in 1983. One year before shop raided and manager and directors charged with 'importing indecent or obscene material'. That meant queer material because UK queer publishing industry in its infancy then. Most seized material later cleared. #lgbtqhistory #80s
May 9, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Photo of inside UKs Gay the Word bookshop in 1983. One year before shop raided and manager and directors charged with 'importing indecent or obscene material'. That meant queer material because UK queer publishing industry in its infancy then. Most seized material later cleared. #lgbtqhistory #80s
1981."Something for the Boys" A TV play about gay servicemen in 1944. Even in 1981, it was risqué showing two men in bed. Broadcast by Scottish Television less than a year after homosexuality decriminalised in Scotland. Available on YouTube. #queertelevision #gaysinthemilitary #loveislove #pride
March 22, 2025 at 11:17 AM
1981."Something for the Boys" A TV play about gay servicemen in 1944. Even in 1981, it was risqué showing two men in bed. Broadcast by Scottish Television less than a year after homosexuality decriminalised in Scotland. Available on YouTube. #queertelevision #gaysinthemilitary #loveislove #pride
Came across these images from the USA, UK and Australia today. This is how we fought back in the 80s.Hope they lift your spirits.
1) San Fran Lesbian/Gay Freedom Day. 1983.
2) Campaign Against UK's Section 28. 1988
3) AIDS Council of NSW, Australia. 1989.
#fightback #Pride #loveislove #solidarity
1) San Fran Lesbian/Gay Freedom Day. 1983.
2) Campaign Against UK's Section 28. 1988
3) AIDS Council of NSW, Australia. 1989.
#fightback #Pride #loveislove #solidarity
March 7, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Came across these images from the USA, UK and Australia today. This is how we fought back in the 80s.Hope they lift your spirits.
1) San Fran Lesbian/Gay Freedom Day. 1983.
2) Campaign Against UK's Section 28. 1988
3) AIDS Council of NSW, Australia. 1989.
#fightback #Pride #loveislove #solidarity
1) San Fran Lesbian/Gay Freedom Day. 1983.
2) Campaign Against UK's Section 28. 1988
3) AIDS Council of NSW, Australia. 1989.
#fightback #Pride #loveislove #solidarity
1984.Anglican Church bans Sydney Gay Mardi parade from assembling on its city centre land. Mardi Gras having none of it. Take Church to Equal Opps Tribunal. Church backs down and rescinds ban before Tribunal even passes judgement! Mardi Gras theme that year "We'll dance if we want to"! #fightback
March 2, 2025 at 2:05 PM
1984.Anglican Church bans Sydney Gay Mardi parade from assembling on its city centre land. Mardi Gras having none of it. Take Church to Equal Opps Tribunal. Church backs down and rescinds ban before Tribunal even passes judgement! Mardi Gras theme that year "We'll dance if we want to"! #fightback
Feb 25 1982. Governor Lee Dreyfus signed into law a bill that made it illegal for state or private businesses to discriminate based on sexual orientation in employment and housing. Wisconsin become first US state to enforce such a law. [Source: @lgbthistory.bsky.social ]
February 26, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Feb 25 1982. Governor Lee Dreyfus signed into law a bill that made it illegal for state or private businesses to discriminate based on sexual orientation in employment and housing. Wisconsin become first US state to enforce such a law. [Source: @lgbthistory.bsky.social ]
Demonstrators outside St.Patrick's Cathedral during 1984 Gay Pride march. Police surround Cathedral to prevent possible confrontations. Groups of marchers chant slogans protesting Archbishop John O'Connor's refusal to sign gay anti-discrimination pledge required for city social services contracts.
February 17, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Demonstrators outside St.Patrick's Cathedral during 1984 Gay Pride march. Police surround Cathedral to prevent possible confrontations. Groups of marchers chant slogans protesting Archbishop John O'Connor's refusal to sign gay anti-discrimination pledge required for city social services contracts.
1984. UK's Rugby Council says it won't include sexual orientation in it's Equal Opps policy. Tory councillor calls gay people vile. 'Sun' paper calls EEO for gays 'sick'. But after campaign by unions, gay groups and local Labour Party, Council has to call emergency meeting to reverse it's position!
February 14, 2025 at 4:37 PM
1984. UK's Rugby Council says it won't include sexual orientation in it's Equal Opps policy. Tory councillor calls gay people vile. 'Sun' paper calls EEO for gays 'sick'. But after campaign by unions, gay groups and local Labour Party, Council has to call emergency meeting to reverse it's position!
June 24 1978, #Sydney Australia. A group of queer people set off on a 'mardi gras', along police approved route. But mid parade police decided the march should go in a different direction! Police antagonism grew. Mass arrests, brutality followed. So began Sydney's #GayMardiGras. Documented here.
February 10, 2025 at 10:26 AM
June 24 1978, #Sydney Australia. A group of queer people set off on a 'mardi gras', along police approved route. But mid parade police decided the march should go in a different direction! Police antagonism grew. Mass arrests, brutality followed. So began Sydney's #GayMardiGras. Documented here.
December 1987 MP applauds firebombing of gay newspaper. During a Parliamentary debate on Section 28, Tory MP Elaine Kellett-Bowman learns the offices of London's Capital Bay newspaper had been firebombed. She cheers and declares, "... there should be an intolerance of evil." #section28 #homophobia
December 14, 2024 at 1:47 PM
December 1987 MP applauds firebombing of gay newspaper. During a Parliamentary debate on Section 28, Tory MP Elaine Kellett-Bowman learns the offices of London's Capital Bay newspaper had been firebombed. She cheers and declares, "... there should be an intolerance of evil." #section28 #homophobia
Today, 10th December is the 40th anniversary of the legendary Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners 'Pits and Perverts'London ball to raise money for striking miners. It raised the equivalent of £25k in today's money. The miners never forgot our support. #bronskibeat #pride #fightback #solidarity
December 10, 2024 at 4:17 PM
Today, 10th December is the 40th anniversary of the legendary Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners 'Pits and Perverts'London ball to raise money for striking miners. It raised the equivalent of £25k in today's money. The miners never forgot our support. #bronskibeat #pride #fightback #solidarity
December 8th, 1987. Section 28 begins. On this day, an amendment was added to the UK's Local Government Bill. Initially Clause 14 it would become #Clause28, prohibiting local council funding for education on homosexuality. #homophobia #gayrights #pride #loveislove #fightback [Pic: Capital Gay]
December 8, 2024 at 10:58 AM
December 8th, 1987. Section 28 begins. On this day, an amendment was added to the UK's Local Government Bill. Initially Clause 14 it would become #Clause28, prohibiting local council funding for education on homosexuality. #homophobia #gayrights #pride #loveislove #fightback [Pic: Capital Gay]
December 1980. New York Native launched as fortnightly LGBTQ paper. A valuable resource for AIDS crisis at first but paranoia and bitterness set in. Mid 80s ACTUP boycotting it. Circulation dropped steadily. Paper closed 1997.
#larrykramer #gaycommunity #loveislove #newyork #hivaids #fightback
#larrykramer #gaycommunity #loveislove #newyork #hivaids #fightback
December 5, 2024 at 3:37 PM
December 1980. New York Native launched as fortnightly LGBTQ paper. A valuable resource for AIDS crisis at first but paranoia and bitterness set in. Mid 80s ACTUP boycotting it. Circulation dropped steadily. Paper closed 1997.
#larrykramer #gaycommunity #loveislove #newyork #hivaids #fightback
#larrykramer #gaycommunity #loveislove #newyork #hivaids #fightback
Anyone use Shirley's Removals/Lesbus in UK in early 80s? UK film company making short doc about them for BBC and would like to reunite early customers with Shirley. Details from [email protected]
December 2, 2024 at 1:00 PM
Anyone use Shirley's Removals/Lesbus in UK in early 80s? UK film company making short doc about them for BBC and would like to reunite early customers with Shirley. Details from [email protected]
1st December 2024. World AIDS Day.
Remembering those around the globe who have died from AIDS. Parents, offspring, siblings, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, cousins, partners, lovers, friends, neighbours, or workmates. We remember them all.
[Photo: NIH]
#worldaidsday #hivaids
Remembering those around the globe who have died from AIDS. Parents, offspring, siblings, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, cousins, partners, lovers, friends, neighbours, or workmates. We remember them all.
[Photo: NIH]
#worldaidsday #hivaids
December 1, 2024 at 10:53 AM
1st December 2024. World AIDS Day.
Remembering those around the globe who have died from AIDS. Parents, offspring, siblings, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, cousins, partners, lovers, friends, neighbours, or workmates. We remember them all.
[Photo: NIH]
#worldaidsday #hivaids
Remembering those around the globe who have died from AIDS. Parents, offspring, siblings, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, cousins, partners, lovers, friends, neighbours, or workmates. We remember them all.
[Photo: NIH]
#worldaidsday #hivaids
Howard Cruse's 'Famous Guilt Syndromes' from the Gay Comix series of the 1980s. This one is 'Committing a Crime Against Nature". #1980s #gacommunity #loveislove #pride #lesbian #gay #bisexual #transgender #lgbtqhistory #queerhistory #fightback #gaycomix #howardcruse #bi #trans #solidarity #gayusa
November 27, 2024 at 3:52 PM
Howard Cruse's 'Famous Guilt Syndromes' from the Gay Comix series of the 1980s. This one is 'Committing a Crime Against Nature". #1980s #gacommunity #loveislove #pride #lesbian #gay #bisexual #transgender #lgbtqhistory #queerhistory #fightback #gaycomix #howardcruse #bi #trans #solidarity #gayusa
1989. Australia's own Section 28. A year after the UK implemented Section 28, the Western Australian government introduced similar legislation. As it decriminalized sodomy it made teaching about homosexuality in primary and secondary schools an offence.httpsu: //shorturl.at/ASYgu #homophobia
November 26, 2024 at 1:18 PM
1989. Australia's own Section 28. A year after the UK implemented Section 28, the Western Australian government introduced similar legislation. As it decriminalized sodomy it made teaching about homosexuality in primary and secondary schools an offence.httpsu: //shorturl.at/ASYgu #homophobia
1984. The International Year of Lesbian and Gay Action.
Well, apparently it seemed like a good idea at the time! Sadly the global community didn't seem to know about it so the only event was a few hundred people marching on the United Nations building in New York. #lgbtqhistory #loveislove #pride
Well, apparently it seemed like a good idea at the time! Sadly the global community didn't seem to know about it so the only event was a few hundred people marching on the United Nations building in New York. #lgbtqhistory #loveislove #pride
November 21, 2024 at 5:06 PM
1984. The International Year of Lesbian and Gay Action.
Well, apparently it seemed like a good idea at the time! Sadly the global community didn't seem to know about it so the only event was a few hundred people marching on the United Nations building in New York. #lgbtqhistory #loveislove #pride
Well, apparently it seemed like a good idea at the time! Sadly the global community didn't seem to know about it so the only event was a few hundred people marching on the United Nations building in New York. #lgbtqhistory #loveislove #pride
October 31st 1989.ACTUP demonstrators protest massive tax breaks given to Donald Trump for his New York property development while people living with AIDS are homeless. Dressed as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, their sign reads 'Surrender Donald'. Sadly, he didn't. #Trump #ACTUP #NewYork #HIVAIDS
![Protestor dressed as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz holds up sign saying 'Surrender Donald" [Trump]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:kkev33bqr2gozru4g636wdwk/bafkreidpqysxtq623v6ojfolptlzvzw2ly6p3ecv7zhbcxq2dtaviqvhru@jpeg)
November 20, 2024 at 3:48 PM
"AIDS Virus Kills Man in Britain" On this day in 1984, the UK's Daily Mail ran this banner headline. It implied this was the first man to die of AIDS. Only at the end of the last column on the second page it revealed that 32 gay men had already died. Clearly they weren't important. #queerhistory
November 19, 2024 at 5:55 PM
"AIDS Virus Kills Man in Britain" On this day in 1984, the UK's Daily Mail ran this banner headline. It implied this was the first man to die of AIDS. Only at the end of the last column on the second page it revealed that 32 gay men had already died. Clearly they weren't important. #queerhistory