This film contains discriminatory language and strong language.
MUSIC: Solidarity Forever by Pete Seeger
# When the union's inspiration through the workers' blood shall run
# There can be no power greater anywhere beneath the sun
# Yet what force on Earth is weaker than the feeble strength of one?
# But the union makes us strong
# Solidarity forever
# For the union makes us strong... #
REPORTER ON TV: 'With the strike now entering its fourth month,
'the Government today insisted that it will push ahead
'with plans to close 20 pits with the loss of over 20,000 jobs,
'an action that Mr Scargill says will destroy entire communities.
ARTHUR SCARGILL: 'You can look back in ten years
'and you can say, "In 1984, I was proud and privileged
'"to be a party to the greatest struggle on earth."'
I left my number. Just in case.
Everything's at stake for me. I'm 27 year old. Right?
Maybe see you on the march, then? I'm fighting for their jobs.
'We've used us savings up, we've no money left.
'All we've got now is us pride and self-respect
'and we'll carry on keeping that.
REPORTER: 'The Prime Minister today defended her position.
'I can't change my style.
'It has to be a style of firm leadership.
'One isn't here to be a softie.
'You're here to be a good, firm leader.'
Mark, want to play ball?
Tomorrow, buddy.
Here you go, Mark.
Great. Thanks.
I've spoken to the council about your deviant parties.
There's no need to do that. Just knock on the door. We'd let you in.
They're sending a policeman.
Oh, I do hope so.
Mark?
Thanks.
TV: '..the riot squad,
'the helmeted policemen with their plastic shields,
'were deployed after smoke bombs were thrown.
'The violence continued...' Thanks, Dad.
WHISTLES BLOW
MARCHERS CHANT: Two, four, six, eight!
Is that copper really straight?
Two, four, six, eight! Is that copper really straight?
Two, four, six, eight...
ANGRY SHOUTS
Oi, grab hold of this, will you, mate?
Oh, no, sorry.
Just for five minutes, till me friends get here. Come on.
It... It's just that I don't really want to be too visible.
Is it your first Pride?
Yeah, first anything.
Yeah, well, this is the best way. You need to throw yourself in.
The thing is, I'm actually from Bromley.
Well, don't worry about that, we're a broad church.
No, it's the train. It's further out than people think, and...
Oi, I've been dragging this thing on me own
since Marble Arch. What are they, buckets?
Surprised you have to ask, coming from Accrington.
Anything get rid of love bites? No. Where's Mark? Listen up, everyone.
Where exactly have you been?
Everyone take a bucket and start rattling.
This is for the miners. Miners?
We agreed on a banner, Mark.
It's a show of solidarity.
Who hates the miners? Thatcher.
Who else? The police,
the public and the tabloid press. That sound familiar? Surely, Mark...
The only problem we've got that they haven't is Mary Whitehouse.
And that can only be a matter of time.
Mark... I know, it's not been planned.
It's not been thought through. But it's a good idea, isn't it?
Isn't it?
What am I supposed to do with this?
Give it to the lesbians. They love a banner.
Oh, for God's sake.
Right, looks like you're off the hook, mate. Good lad.
Whatever Mark says, we do it. Don't ask me why.
Disgusting. Yes.
We're collecting for the miners and their families, guys.
Gays and lesbians support the miners and their families.
COINS CLINK I was wondering, do you need a hand?
Well, well, if it isn't Bromley.
I mean, my last train is actually not for ages.
Gays and lesbians support the miners.
..support the miners. Guys, support the miners.
Gays and lesbians support the miners.
Collecting for the miners. Dig deep.
Support the miners. Come on.
Support the miners! Support the miners!
It's just a couple of the lads from college
and one of them lives in Chislehurst.
So he can't be too late, either. I've got my key.
Just mind yourself on that last train.
There's weirdos and all sorts on there.
Thanks, Mum.
MUSIC: What Difference Does It Make? by the Smiths
# It makes none But now you have gone
# And you must be looking very old tonight
# The devil will find work for idle hands to do
# I stole and I lied and why? Because you asked me to
# But now you make me feel so ashamed... #
Oi, Bromley.
Over here.
I'm hiding from that girl.
Why?
She broke my heart at a Smiths concert.
I've never met a lesbian before.
Really? I've never met anyone who irons their jeans.
HE CHUCKLES
I live at home.
No shit.
Is that where you got that lovely brooch?
That's embarrassing.
It's today.
What are you, ten?
I'm 20.
I wouldn't go spreading that around.
You're illegal, darling.
16 for the breeders, 21 for the gays.
Did you learn nothing on that march?
You're still a minor.
Jesus.
Victory to the minors.
Don't make a mess, OK?
They've counted it.
Well, come on, you've collected as much as anyone.
Stephanie! Were you with Jeff in the Bell last night?
For fuck's sake. It's a bruise, OK? My neck is bruised.
No red wine on the floor, please. Ashtrays.
It was a pretty good march today.
Not much in the way of beatings or abuse.
Hardly any petrol bombs or swastikas.
Is it me or are the police getting soft?
ALL LAUGH
It's funny. They've stopped hanging around outside our clubs lately.
What's that about?
Do you think they've finally got sick of all that Donna Summer?
ALL LAUGH
No, never!
My guess is they went somewhere else.
To pick on someone else.
My guess is that, while we're enjoying
a temporary reprieve, they're here,
giving these poor sods the shit we usually get.
Now, these mining communities are being bullied just like we are.
Right? Bullied by the police.
Bullied by the tabloids. Bullied by the Government.
Do any of them need a hug?
LAUGHTER
No. They need cash and they need it urgently.
Yeah, the miners have always come to our aid, haven't they(?)
Are you fucking kidding me?
Why don't we talk about today?
Today, with only a couple of buckets, we raised nearly 200 quid.
Right, think what we could achieve if we really started trying.
I'm from Durham.
Well, you know exactly what we're talking about, then.
I know those bastards kicked the shit out of me
every morning on my way to school
and every night on my way home.
We are proposing to meet at least once a week
and just to do as many collections as we can.
Oh, and... and we've got a name.
LGSM.
Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners.
It's not very catchy.
It's a support group, Steph, not a skiffle band.
Right, let's have a show of hands, shall we?
Who's in? Guys?
MURMURING
Come on, guys, please.
Oh, come on, guys.
Is that it?
We've been looking for things that we could do together as a couple.
Well, this is perfect. Yous can feed the miners AND your relationship.
How many is that? That's six.
It's better than five. Not as good as seven.
Jonathan!
Oh, God. Here come the gay libbers.
Brilliant party, Geth.
I'm sure you could use the back room here.
If you're looking for a base.
We are... Erm, we are. That's amazing, Gethin, thank you.
Well, what about me and Jonathan?
Or is it exclusively for the under-25s?
Oh, no, of course not. Everyone's welcome.
JONATHAN: # Touch me, baby, tainted love! #
Are you sure Jonathan's interested?
HE BLOWS A WHISTLE
ONLOOKERS LAUGH
He's at a bit of a loose end at the moment.
He just needs something to occupy him. A project.
What about Bromley over there?
I've... I've just started catering college.
Good. Congratulations, all of you.
You're the founder members
of Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners.
Terrific. Let's bring down the Government.
Support for the miners.
Give generously.
Put your hand in your pockets for the miners.
Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners!
'National Union of Mineworkers.'
Oh, hello. I represent a group
called Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners, and...
CALL DISCONNECTS
Hello? Hello...
And there's the desired consistency.
It's glossy and wobbly.
Glossy and wobbly.
Jonathan?
Why don't you go out with them today?
Because I've got better things to do
than run around with a bunch of kids.
What happened to gay lib, Jonathan?
I don't know. What did happen to it?
Is that Gethin's boyfriend?
Jonathan. He stabbed Susannah York with an ice pick.
He's an actor.
Support the miners.
Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners, sir.
Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners.
We've raised money. We're looking for a mining community...
'Repeat the name, please.' Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners.
'Somebody will call you back in due course.'
Sure, but you've said that before and we...
SIGHS
They'll call back.
They will.
Mark, face it.
They're on strike. They're busy.
They don't want our money because we're poofs.
And a dyke. They'd rather starve.
Maybe we should hand the money over anonymously.
We don't have to say we're gay, do we?
No! Well, at least, then, we'd be helping.
No, this is a gay and lesbian group and we are unapologetic about that.
Jesus, why are you even wasting time with all this?
Mark! They will call us back.
It has nothing to do with the fact that we're poofs.
And a dyke! They will call us back. End of meeting.
They're never going to call us back.
Someone needs to go with him.
First rule of the group.
I'll go. Thank you, Steph.
Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners.
Pervert!
First rule of the group, comrade. Nobody collects alone.
Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners.
Lesbians and Gays Support... Gethin!
Gethin, come on. You're supposed to be a bookshop.
We don't have maps, Mark. It's a gay bookshop.
People ask for the poems of Walt Whitman.
I hope there's a good reason why I've been abandoned.
Let me get this right, so we are going to pick a mining town
at random and just ring it. Is that the plan, is it, Mark?
Yeah, the town hall, the council. What, it's as easy as that?
Why not? We bypass the union altogether.
I think it's inspired. So do I.
See? Even Bromley agrees.
Right, here we go.
A-ha. So, what do we want? Um...
Somewhere north... Industrial?
Humberside. Is... Is that a place?
Oh, Jesus Christ. Give it to me.
If it's miners you're looking for...
There. Wales.
Of course! That's a big fucking coalfield.
That's the Brecon Beacons.
That's a coalfield, there.
And that is. All right and what are we supposed to do?
Stick a bloody pin in it? Do you know people, Gethin?
No, I haven't been back there in 16 years.
Why not?
Well, let's just say there isn't always a welcome in the hillsides.
Shall I get you the phone book?
Well, what's the worst that can happen?
Oh, hello. I represent a bunch of screaming homosexuals.
May I inquire about your communal baths?
What's that got to do with a strike?
Nothing. I'd just like to inquire.
LAUGHTER
EVERYONE TALKS AT ONCE
All right, all right. Thank you. All right. Oi!
If we're going to do this, we need to take it seriously. Come here.
Right.
0-1-9...
What's the Welsh for "lesbian"?
PHONE RINGS
Hello?
Yes.
I see.
CHEERING
Yes!
ALL: # Solidarity forever
# Solidarity forever
# Solidarity forever... #
It didn't occur to you to get a description?
Well, she were off the phone that fast.
Maybe we should try and look more obviously gay.
Achievable goals, please, Jeff.
Shut up. That's him. Are you sure?
Oh, my God, he's coming towards us.
How did you know it were him? It's the same as in a nightclub.
It's all in the eyes.
I'm Dai Donovan. From the Dulais Valley. Right.
You must be Mark. Yes, hello.
Hiya. Mike.
Steph. Hello. Joe.
Jeff. Dai.
So, LGSM. What does that stand for, then?
You get a garbled message over the phone.
I thought the L was for London.
NERVOUS LAUGHTER
London something.
I never dreamed for a moment it was L for... Hi.
This money you've raised, it's all from gays and lesbians?
Mostly, yeah.
Right.
There we are.
This is just the beginning. Oh?
Mm-hm. We've got big plans.
Well, I'm not going to pretend I'm not surprised. You can see that.
Truth told, you're the first gays I've ever met in my life.
As far as you're aware.
That's true.
And you're the first miner I've ever met.
Yeah!
Now, I...I want you to do something for me.
I want you to go back to your community and convey my thanks.
My personal thanks.
And the thanks of all the people of Dulais.
Yeah, of course we will.
Won't we? Yeah.
Yeah, yeah.
Won't we, Mark?
Who fancies a pint?
MUSIC: Homosapien by Pete Shelley
# I'm the shy boy You're the coy boy
# And you know we're Homosapien, too... #
You can have five minutes. Are you sure about this?
Dead sure. Yeah, but for Dai...
Oh, I'm all right, lad. Trust me, Dai, if you can handle this,
it's going to make a huge difference.
What's he going to do, take his clothes off?
I'm just going to say thank you.
Well, don't blame me if you get bottled.
AUDIENCE CHEERS
Right, shut up, you fuckers.
AUDIENCE: Ooh...!
Thank you. Right, listen. Some of you know me.
My name is Mark Ashton. Commie!
I'm going to invite somebody onto the stage now
who wants to talk to you, and I want you to listen to him.
He comes from the Dulais Valley in South Wales, and he, um...
Well, he's a striking miner
and he has something he wants to say to you.
JEERING
FEEDBACK WHINES
I've had a...
I've had a lot of new experiences during this strike.
Um, speaking in public.
Standing on a picket line.
And now I'm in a... a gay bar.
Well, if you don't like it, you can go home.
SHUSHING
As a matter of fact, I do like it.
AUDIENCE: Ooh!
Beer's a bit expensive, mind.
LAUGHTER
But really, there's only one difference
between this and a bar in South Wales.
The women.
They're a lot more feminine in here.
CHEERING
What I'd really like to say to you tonight is thank you.
If you're one of the people that's put money in these buckets,
if you've supported LGSM, then thank you...
..because what you've given us is more than money, it's friendship.
And when you're in a battle
against an enemy so much bigger, so much stronger than you,
well, to find out you had a friend you never knew existed...
..well, that's the best feeling in the world.
So, thank you.
CHEERING
MUSIC: Two Tribes by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
# When two tribes go to war
# A point is all that you can score... #
Oh, my God. I haven't even finished this one.
STEPH: Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners.
Support the miners.
So, you're the only girl?
That's right. I'm the L in LGSM.
Good speech.
Thank you. Thank you very much.
I've worked a few tough crowds myself over the years.
In politics? In panto. Oh, right.
OK, LGSM, over here, please.
That's something else we could use. What's that?
An official photographer.
Jesus, Mark. We don't even have an official typewriter.
Nice and close, please. I could do it.
I've got a camera.
It's a really good one. I'd be happy to do it.
All right, Bromley, if you're sure. Course he's sure.
Never let it be said that LGSM discouraged youth enterprise.
Right, then. What are you going to say, "cheese"?
Victory to the miners!
ALL: Victory to the miners!
Martin, come on.
Tell them you've run a whole canteen before.
You're not just packing food parcels.
Go.
And don't look so bloody worried. It's not the first day of school.
VAN BACKFIRES
What do they need to come here for? We sent them a thank-you note.
Every other support group has been invited.
Every other support group was approved by the whole committee.
Oh, I see. Dai had to make a snap decision.
This is all my fault. He was in London, Maureen.
What would you have done? Told them to keep it?
What I would have done... But they raised the money.
All right, I run a civil meeting here.
If you want to scream and shout, get on the pickets.
I don't have a problem with what they are.
None of us do.
It's the men. Well, you bring a load of gays
into a working men's club, you get trouble. I'm sorry.
No other group has raised as much money.
I'm not disputing that.
Or been so consistent.
Then why don't you just invite them?
I'm sorry, but everyone's saying they don't have a problem.
Good, they've raised the most money, so invite them.
And who the bloody hell are you?
You did what? I know.
But Hefina - she's like the head honcho, absolutely terrifying -
well, she obviously can't stand this Maureen.
Kids, mind the fish fingers.
What's the matter? You told me not to sell myself short.
I'm not talking about that. Gays and lesbians!
We're trying to fit in here, Sian. What?
Volunteer, I said. Run the canteen.
They didn't want me on the canteen. They wanted me on the committee.
All right, so keep your head down. Do the paperwork.
Don't start stirring it all up,
inviting a load of gays and lesbians.
Oh, it's like that, is it?
You know, I had you down as many things,
but prejudiced was never one of them. I'm not prejudiced. No?
I'm a realist. I know what small towns are like, Sian.
I know exactly how those lads are going to react.
You think so? I know so.
I'm standing on a bloody picket with them day after day.
It was a majority decision. The committee decided.
Well, I hope you and your bloody committee
can guarantee their safety, Sian, I do, I really do.
All aboard the deviants' bus. No pushing, no community singing.
And absolutely no back-chatting the driver.
Right, where are we going? Wales.
Fuck me. Someone better roll me a little spliffette.
What I'd like to know is what Bromley told his mum and dad.
Yeah.
I just... Oh, it's no big deal.
Come on.
I said that I was doing so well at college
they were sending me on a residential course.
STEPH: Doing what?
Choux pastry.
ALL CHANT: Bromley! Bromley! Bromley! Bromley! Bromley! Bromley!
CHANTING CONTINUES
Bit late in the day for that, isn't it?
That's the fourth one I've done.
Fast as I put them up, they pull 'em down.
I'm running out of staples.
WOMEN: # Every woman is a lesbian at heart
# Every woman is a lesbian at heart... #
You can't possibly say that every woman is a lesbian.
Why not?
Cos they're not.
Esther Rantzen isn't a lesbian. My mum's not a lesbian.
How do you know?
How do I know my mum's not a lesbian?
What he's trying to say is you can't
make grand, sweeping generalisations.
It's not acceptable.
# Every woman is a lesbian at heart
# Including Reggie's mum! #
COUNTRY MUSIC PLAYS INSIDE
UPBEAT SONG
Look at the map. We should have turned left at that village.
How can that be a village? It doesn't have any vowels.
Hang on a minute. Yes?
I think so.
Are we here?
We're here.
STEPH: Oh, my God.
Come on, let's go.
TAKES A DEEP BREATH
Right, then.
SONG ENDS
CHEERING
I guess we just...
I think I'm starting to freak out slightly.
FOOTSTEPS APPROACH
Dai? Your gays have arrived.
BAND PERFORMS COUNTRY BALLAD
Good to see you again. Good to see you.
Hi, there. Welcome. Welcome. Come on in, everybody.
Great to see you again. Great to see you again. Hello.
Come on in.
Welcome, everybody. This is my wife, Margaret.
Hello.
This is Gail and Sian, who wrote to you.
This is Hefina, who chairs the welfare committee.
This is Gwen, and this is Cliff, our club secretary.
Um, I'm going to officiate you.
Oh, good!
Hold that, and name here, please.
Mm-hm.
And in the corresponding box, the group or organisation you represent,
in this case...
Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners.
Yep. Quite. Absolutely.
Thank you. Thank you very much for having us.
Now, I'm hoping you can clear something up for me about lesbians.
Not now, Gwen. It's something I was told
in the covered market
and to be honest with you, it did surprise me.
Let them get settled in first, shall we?
Oh.
Now, who's making the speech?
A... A speech?
It's no big deal.
One of you just has to go up onstage and say a few words.
Just so we know who you are, like.
I'll tell the band to shut up and we'll push you on.
And welcome, all of you.
To be honest, I never thought you'd come.
Anybody else feel like appointing themselves leader?
Didn't think so.
CLEARS THROAT
# Many miles from home
# But I'm walking, walking
# Walking for you
# Walking for you. #
SILENCE
Now, then, ladies and gentlemen,
we're joined once again by one of our support groups,
Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners.
Will you, er, welcome their spokesman onto the stage? Thank you.
SILENCE
Thank you, Dai.
Thank you, um... Falling Leaves.
Actually, Dai Donovan made a speech at our local pub,
and he's a pretty tough act to follow,
so maybe now is the moment for my musical tribute to Judy Garland.
Look, we raised this money because we want to help you.
And that's it.
And we'll keep on trying to help you for as long as you want us to,
because we've been through some of the same things you've been through.
Listen, if one in five people is gay,
then one in five miners must be, too, right?
So that's at least a fifth of you who's pleased to see us.
Thank you. Thank you for inviting us here.
Thanks.
One, two, three, four...
# Them falling leaves They say that summer's done
# The wind and rains They say so, too
# But ain't no winter skies will ever shadow the sun
# While I'm with you... #
Night, everybody. ALL: Goodnight, Dai.
There we are. All settled in.
It's teething problems, love.
Everything will be all right, once they start to mix.
I'm not talking about running away.
I'm talking about making a dignified exit.
Tomorrow before dawn?
We can't just waltz into a town like this
and expect them not to...
Slit our throats? ..just be cautious.
I don't know about anybody else, but I don't have to travel to Wales
to get my head kicked in. I can very easily get that at home.
Anyone who wants to go should go.
But I came here to help. Yeah, but they don't want your help.
Well, they can tell me that to my face.
Until that time, I'm a member of LGSM
and I'm going to do what I set out to do.
No hiding, no running away, no apologies.
Me too.
Yeah.
And me.
This is a Welsh castle, mind. None of your Norman rubbish.
According to legend, the maiden Sabrina came here, see,
and became the goddess of the River Severn.
How did she manage that, then, Cliff?
By drowning.
"Sabrina fair, listen where thou art sitting
"under the glassie, cool, translucent wave",
and so on.
I grew up in Northern Ireland. I know all about what happens
when people don't talk to each other.
That's why I've never understood,
what's the point of supporting gay rights
but nobody else's rights, you know?
Or workers' rights but not women's rights.
It's... I don't know, illogical.
There's a lodge banner down in the welfare, over 100 years old.
We bring it out for special occasions, you know.
I'll show it to you one day. It's a symbol, like this.
Right? Two hands.
That's what the labour movement means. Should mean.
You support me, I support you.
Whoever you are. Wherever you come from.
Shoulder to shoulder. Hand to hand.
SIAN: Dai!
There they go.
They're bringing them in from London, from Bristol. All over.
CLIFF: They're pulling the lads in for anything now.
Well, they can't do that.
There's two from my street in custody right now. Lee and Carl.
Where's your humanity?
We're citizens of this country, mind. Citizens.
No, I mean they can't do that.
It's totally illegal.
A police officer has the right to stop you
if, and that's the important word here,
if he has reasonable grounds to believe
a crime is going to be committed.
Now, you're absolutely sure about this?
Police harassment, dear. I could set it to music.
SIAN: And if he does?
Then he must formally charge you within 24 hours of that arrest.
But "reasonable grounds" means concrete evidence
that can stand up in court.
It doesn't mean he doesn't like the look of you.
That's the same whether you're standing on a picket line
or trolling down Clapham High Street in full drag.
Hefina, tell Martin to mind the kids.
Where you going?
The police station.
She's finding her feet.
Right, gentlemen, listen to me.
A police officer only has the right to detain a group of people...
You need evidence to stand up in a court of law.
They need concrete evidence.
..keep them for longer than 24 hours...
No proof. No proof.
And I will not be leaving this desk until you do.
We've got all day, so chop chop.
Nobody said anything about hiding who we are.
Yes, they did. You.
I just think if everybody takes it easy on the...
Flamboyance.
..then we're more likely to fit in.
I'm sorry, just to be clear, when you say flamboyance, you mean gay?
And when you say everyone, you mean me?
Jonathan... Good.
It's just I haven't spoken 1950s in quite a while.
MEN CHEER
LIVELY CONVERSATIONS
CONVERSATION DIES DOWN
Over here, please. We're packing parcels.
You'll stay for a pint? No, you're all right, Cliff.
Welfare's had a change of atmosphere, if you know what I mean.
I don't know what you mean, Lee, no. He means these faggots. Oi!
If it wasn't for those people, you would still be in the nick.
What? He's right.
They make me sick. That's all I know, Dai.
That's enough. Physically sick.
Gays? From London. They were the ones, Carl. They got you out.
I thought Sian got us out.
They told her... They told her what to say.
Carl! It's you lot, is it? The gays.
What's going on?
No, it's all right. It's all right.
We're LGSM, Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners, yes.
My name's Mark Ashton.
You'll have a pint, will you, Mark?
MUSIC: You Can't Hurry Love by Phil Collins
What I was told about lesbians really did shock me.
That can't be true, can it? You're all vegetarians?
Actually, Zoe and I are both vegans.
So, you live together like, you know, husband and wife.
But what I want to know is... I know what you're going to say.
Which one does the housework?
Oh, well, that's... That's not what I thought you was going to say.
Are you joking? Certainly not.
It's embarrassing enough they spend one night on Dai's floor, Maureen.
From now, the hosting committee's going to bloody well start hosting.
I'm sorry, not me. I'm concerned about AIDS.
SHE SCOFFS
What?!
It's not a trivial matter, Sian. They've issued leaflets.
CLIFF: I don't mind taking more, Hefina.
Not the lesbians so much, because of their cuisine.
But I'll take an extra gay.
I tell you something right now, Maureen Barry,
if you get AIDS, so help me God, I'll nurse you myself.
Though how you're going to get AIDS from a couple of sleeping bags
in your extension, I don't know.
It's fine. No. I can take another one, and so can Cliff.
Think it's going to be that easy, do you?
You just bulldoze the whole village into thinking the same thing as you.
I don't need to bulldoze anyone. It's you who's got the problem.
They're all in there getting along perfectly well.
Oh, really?
What the hell do you think you're doing?
I'm just talking to Kev about something.
You can talk to Kev any day of the week.
Get over there and find a gay or a lesbian right now.
Look, Hefina, I've shaken their hands. I've bought them a pint, see?
I don't want to labour the point, do I?
I might, you know, give them the wrong impression.
Oh, right(!)
Because you're so bloody irresistible, Carl Evans?
Listen to me. I've seen you dancing
round my back yard with no clothes on since you were this high.
And I can tell you right now, these gays have thrown better away.
Now, move yourself. And you.
MUSIC: Karma Chameleon by Culture Club
# Karma, karma, karma, karma, karma chameleon... #
This is a first, this.
Men on the dance floor.
You can't be serious!
Welsh men don't dance, do they, Sian?
Never. Can't move their hips.
Well, why don't we show them what they're missing?
# Karma, karma, karma, karma, karma chameleon
# You come and go... #
# See, I want you to feel me, too
# So just listen to me, baby
# Can't stop me now
# Hear what I say
# My feet want to move
# So get out my way
# I'm going to have my say
# I'm going to every discotheque
# I'm gonna dance, dance, dance, dance
# Ooh, till the break of day, I say
# Shame, shame, shame
# Shame on you if you can't dance too... #
He's amazing!
# ..I said shame, shame, shame, shame, shame, shame, shame
# Shame on you if you can't dance too... #
Come on! Come on!
# ..Don't stop the motions If you get the notion
# You can't stop the groove Cos you just won't move
# Got my sunroof down
# Got my diamonds in the back... #
LAUGHTER
ALL: Whoo!
# ..Shame, shame, shame
# Shame on you
# If you can't dance, too
# I said shame, shame, shame # Shame, shame, shame, shame
# Shame on you if you can't dance, too
# Shame, shame, shame
# Shame on you if you can't dance, too
# I said shame, shame, shame # Shame, shame, shame, shame
# Shame on you if you can't dance, too... #
CHEERING
God, I miss disco.
CHEERING CONTINUES
Everyone back to mine for a nightcap.
What? Go to bed, Cliff. I promise I'll do it, man.
For God's sake. He always gets like this.
What did I bloody say to you, eh?
Showing us up in front of our guests.
Don't worry. You're going to love it.
Cheers, mate.
Oi. What the hell was that about?
He's going to give him dance lessons. Are you joking?
You'll start prancing about like that?
Listen, if you're going to spend the rest of your life
standing at the bar wishing you could speak to Debbie Thomas,
that's fine by me. I'm going to be a woman magnet.
Where the bloody hell did you get that?
BACKGROUND CHATTER AND LAUGHTER
I don't know why you're so het up. They're going in the morning.
Well, this strike matters to you two, does it?
Of course it does.
What do you think people will say when they hear about this?
We're being backed up by perverts.
You want people taking the piss, do you?
Scabs? Coppers?
Calling us all sorts of names?
No.
Well, I know one thing.
Your father would never have stood for it.
That went well, considering. Considering?
Sometimes people can surprise you, that's all I'm saying.
I never had a problem with it, Sian.
Well, I'm glad to hear it, because this is Joe.
And he's going to be sleeping in our house.
DEEP VOICE: How do? Nice to meet you.
No need to do the full Barry White, Martin.
He knows you're heterosexual.
This is fine.
BRAKES SCREECH
I think we should take him to the door. No. Just here, please.
Just drop me here.
JEERING
All right. Oh, leave him alone.
Hang on a minute.
What is it?
Got to keep up the fiction.
ALL LAUGH
See you.
Mmm! Was it fun?
It was the best experience of my entire life.
Making pastry?!
SHOUTING
You want to start something, you start it with me!
BOTH: Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners.
Thank you.
SIAN: Let's keep it moving, girls. Just put it in.
ALL: Victory to the miners!
COINS CLATTER
JOE: Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners.
Any donations, sir?
Don't worry about me freezing to death in Brixton, will you?
Aren't you going to ring your mum?
What for? A long-distance queer-bashing?
Hi. Here you are, love.
Why don't I pretend to be your girlfriend?
That way, you get an alibi and I get to watch The Sound Of Music.
Come to ours, Steph. Can I?
Yeah. Orphans Of The Storm.
No Queen's speech. No carols.
Oh, sounds like heaven.
Support the miners.
A very happy Christmas to you, too.
TV: 'There is now a danger'
'that has become a threat to us all.
'It is a deadly disease and there is no known cure.
'The virus is passed
'during sexual intercourse with an infected person.'
AIDS.
Anally Injected Death Sentence. HE CHUCKLES
Will you switch that off, please, Tony?
'But it's spreading.'
Thank you. 'So protect yourself.'
PHONE RINGS
Hello?
HEFINA: Can I speak to Jonathan, please?
Er, no, he's being creative in the kitchen, I'm afraid. Er...
Take a message!
I just wanted to thank him for his beautiful card.
Home-made, too.
My husband was particularly impressed with it.
'I'll be sure to tell him.'
Is that a Welsh accent I can hear?
Er, oh, maybe. The remnants.
I haven't been home in a long time, so...
'Well, we're looking forward to seeing them all back here soon.'
And wish Jonathan a happy Christmas from all of us in Dulais, will you?
'Of course. Of course I will.'
Nadolig llawen to you, my love.
Nadolig llawen.
RADIO: 'The one o'clock news from the BBC.
'The coal board called a press conference
'in near despair today after the collapse of last night's talks.
'The strike entered its 42nd week.
'The union responded with a renewed attack
'on the Government's latest cuts to benefits
'for the families of those on strike.
'They're calling it an attempt by Mrs Thatcher
'to starve the miners back to work.
'Severe weather in England and Wales is set to continue...'
Bloody hell. It's bricked up.
Oh, Jesus.
BRAKES SCREECH
Let's get the stuff unloaded
and shared out as fast as possible, yeah?
What the bloody hell am I doing?
Right, come on, then, you heard him.
There's noises in the village.
Small voices.
Nothing we can't handle, but...
They want to go back?
They've been told they'll save the pits that go back first.
They won't, but, er, desperate people, they'll believe anything.
Tell him about the bus.
Our bus has broken down.
And our gas has been cut off, so...
we're having baths next door.
We're playing for a tin of beef now.
Remember, all your proceeds to the strike fund,
ladies and gents, so please dig deep.
There's a pair for you. Happy Christmas.
There you go.
Not even Kim Wilde's got them in orange.
Ah!
This is Gethin.
Hello.
He's a little nervous.
Jonathan... There's no need to be nervous, boy.
With a good Welsh name like that?
Where are you from, then?
Rhyl, originally.
No. No way.
Listen here, see.
We don't mind the gays and the lesbians, that's fine.
But don't you dare be bringing people from North Wales down here.
ALL LAUGH
Stupid bugger.
That bus is a lifeline. It takes the men to the picket.
It takes the food parcels to the remotest villages.
Without it... All the fours...
44. We need to start thinking in larger chunks of money,
because without it they're going to fail, it's as simple as that.
I'm sorry, but when'll you address
my question about a women's group? Blind 70.
Stella, this is important.
I know. But this group has absolutely no democratic process.
What do you need a women's group for, anyway?
Thee and me, 23. To address the women's issues.
Singly and in a safe environment.
What is unsafe about this environment?
Kelly's eye, number one.
I'm a woman, Mike. OK?
I'm also a lesbian and a feminist.
Listen, love, I don't care if you're Arthur Scargill.
Don't talk during the bingo.
MARK SNIGGERS
Tickety-boo, 62.
ALL CHUCKLE
PAUL ROBESON: # Drink to me
# Only with thine eyes... #
ALL: Oh...
36.
For God's sake, leave him alone. He's not a Girls' World.
But we love him, Mum.
GIGGLING
OK. Design speed.
It's called the Great Atlantic Fault.
And, er, and it starts here in Spain
and then it goes under the Bay of Biscay
and then it comes up in South Wales.
And then it goes under the Atlantic for miles and miles and miles
and it comes up again in Pennsylvania.
My father used to talk about it.
And mine.
The dark artery.
That's it. Yeah, that's it.
And you could take a miner from Wales or Spain or America
and you could show them that seam and they would recognise it.
There's no other coal like it. It's perfect. Pure.
I lost my younger brother to that pit.
36 years old.
But without it, these villages are nothing, they're finished.
That's what I'd say
if I ever came face-to-face with Margaret fucking Thatcher.
That's what I'd tell her.
The pit and the people are one and the same.
Yeah. Well...
HE LAUGHS
Welcome home, son. Thank you.
Listen to me, everyone. I just want to say something.
Get your feet off those seats.
We've let you down. ALL: No!
No, we have. We haven't collected enough.
We haven't raised enough awareness. We know that.
Now, it's not enough to always be defending.
Sometimes you have to attack, to push forward,
and that's exactly what we're going to do.
When we get back to London, and you have my word on this,
we are going to...
we're going to do something so spectacular.
LAUGHTER
It'll be so incredible,
so effective, that the National Coal Board,
I promise you this,
will come crawling on their hands and knees...
WHISTLING AND CHEERING
..in full drag...
..to beg you for forgiveness.
Now, victory! Victory to the miners!
CHEERING
Well done. Whoo!
Victory to the miners!
# As we come marching, marching
# In the beauty of the day
# A million darkened kitchens
# A thousand mill lofts grey
# Are touched with all the radiance
# That a sudden sun discloses
# For the people hear us singing
# Bread and roses! Bread and roses!
OTHERS JOIN IN: # As we go marching, marching
# We battle too for men
# For they are women's children
# And we mother them again
# Our lives shall not be sweated
# From birth until life closes
# Hearts starve as well as bodies
# Give us bread but give us roses!
MEN JOIN: # As we go marching, marching
# Unnumbered women dead
# Go crying through our singing
# Their ancient cry for bread
# Small art and love and beauty
# Their drudging spirits knew
# Yes, 'tis bread we fight for
# But we fight for roses too! #
ALL CHEER
Go back to where you came from!
What the fuck?
We've come to take back our welfare.
What are you talking about? From all your bloody queers.
What the hell's going on?
There's normal people who want to drink in here too, you know?
You listen to me. Those people in there are our guests.
Yeah? Well, they want to watch themselves.
Leave it, Martin. Come on, for God's sake, man.
Come on, leave it.
Come on, Martin.
You so much as lay one finger on anyone inside that hall,
and so help me God, I'll break your bloody arms and legs for you.
Come on. Come back in. Come on.
Bent bastards!
There you go. I know it's freezing, but at least the beers will be cold.
You want a beer, anyone? Yeah, over here.
I've got one, thanks, Dai.
Here you go, Alan.
"Say not the struggle naught availeth,
"the labour and the wounds are vain,
"the enemy faints not, nor faileth,
"and as things have been they remain,
"if hopes were dupes..."
POP MUSIC STARTS
DEBBIE: Oh, that's more like it.
LAUGHTER
MUSIC: I Second That Emotion by the Miracles
# Maybe you want to give me kisses sweet
# But only for one night with no repeat
# And maybe you'll go away and never call... #
I'm Gary. Oh!
Hi.
I want to learn to dance.
MIKE EXHALES SHARPLY
We need to make something happen. Yeah, well, we do now, yeah.
Something big. An event.
Something bigger than we've ever tried before.
Why don't you come inside? It's a fraction warmer.
It's morale. That's the thing.
It's just as important as money. We need to keep them up, Mike.
Because the minute they start to feel like a lost cause...
I know. I know.
And there's nothing worse than a lost cause.
SIGHS
# In my sleep
# Countin' troubles instead of countin' sheep... #
I'm in Wales
and I don't have to pretend to be something that I'm not.
I'm home. And I'm gay.
And I'm Welsh.
That's right!
ALL CHEER
Get him another beer before he starts singing.
LAUGHTER
What I don't understand is why you never came back before.
My mother.
She couldn't accept me. Not then, perhaps.
She's religious.
She hasn't said one word to me in 16 years.
And what about you? What words have you said to her?
# It's gone away in yesterday
# Now I find myself on the mountainside
# Where the rivers change direction Across the great divide... #
You got a sweetheart, have you, love?
I'm a gobby northern lesbian, Gwen. I tend to scare 'em off.
GWEN LAUGHS
Look.
That's my William.
44 years I had him with me,
and I wish you as many with someone one day.
And as happy.
GWEN CHUCKLES
Jesus, I'm pissed.
GAIL: Alan, no!
Give us a hand, will you, Steph?
He's thrown up again. Margaret, I am so sorry.
Alan Pritchard, so help me...
"For many years now we have been force-fed an agenda
"that has represented homosexuals first as victims, now as heroes."
Margaret Donovan could be reported. All those people in her house.
"The homosexuals have been told
"that it is us, the normal population,
"and not them that is out of step.
"Any society that accepts that sick deception
"is swirling headlong into a cesspool of its own making."
Well, they want to see what's going on up here.
They'd have a field day.
KNOCK ON DOOR
Why don't you come over to Dai's?
Just for a minute. I think if you met one or two of them...
Have you seen this, Cliff? About the gays?
I don't believe what they say about us, Lee.
Why should I listen to what they say about them?
Get inside, you. And shut up.
You're a respected woman, Maureen.
People follow you. You could set an example.
You're the backbone of that committee. You work hard.
You've been both mother and father to those boys.
GAIL: Sitting on your own in the dark, Maureen?
You want to take that rod out of your arse for a minute.
SIGHS
BUS DOOR OPENS
Good luck.
Morning.
Thanks.
DOOR CLOSES
BUS ENGINE STARTS
Hello?
I'm in a phone box so I'll have to be quick.
I've got a story for your news desk.
DOG BARKS
Hello, Mum.
Bye, Bromley.
See ya.
HORN HONKS
Hello, sailors!
MEN LAUGH
WHISTLING
Morning, ladies.
CROWD JEERS
Come on, Marys. What are they going on about?
..with your bum chum.
What's going on? Wait till you see this.
Jesus.
'"Perverts support the pits.'
"A gaggle of gays and lesbians has 'come out'
"in favour of the miners' strike.
"Our editor says,
"'We knew the miners were desperate,
"'but now we have the final and compelling evidence
"'that they are finished.'"
"Does anyone else hear the bottom of the barrel being scraped?
"From where I'm sitting, the noise is pretty deafening."
Unbelievable.
SHE SIGHS
Who did this?
It'll have to go to a vote.
But I'm warning you, we can do without this kind of trouble.
This isn't trouble, it's mischief. Jesus, man.
We've had worse than this before now.
Every day, they're out collecting for us.
It's the men, Dai.
They've already got their wives supporting them, and now this.
Gays. The whole country laughing at us.
It's about dignity.
It'll have to go to a vote.
Right.
They're calling an emergency meeting, a vote.
Dai's speaking up for us, of course, but it's done a lot of damage.
Yeah, but we'll not let a little thing like this break...
Down! Get down! What's going on?
PANICKED SHOUTS
COUGHING
Bastards!
I don't care about what they do, but it's a distraction.
It's distracting people from the strike.
And then there's the children.
I mean, what example is it for kiddies
to have gays and lesbians roaming around?
It's unnatural.
There used to be a tradition in Wales of honouring your guests.
Do you remember that, ladies? Respect? Generosity? Hefina...
There's only one thing unnatural about this whole bloody business.
Betraying the community.
And when I find out who sold that story, believe me,
they'll know what it feels like to be ashamed.
What the hell are we doing?
Now, let's just get this finished, Mark.
No, what the hell are we doing?
They'd never have known we were here but for this article.
So? They'd never have found us.
What are you saying? I should send them the bill?
Do you know how many people read this paper?
This is our chance to do something spectacular.
We could never drum up this kind of publicity in a million years.
Mark, don't you just think we ought to hold back and regroup?
There isn't time. This is a news item now.
Today. We have to take advantage of that.
They called us perverts. Bromley,
it's time for an important part of your education.
Hands up in this room if you've ever been called a name like that.
Now, there is a long and honourable tradition in the gay community,
and it has stood us in good stead for a very long time.
When somebody calls you a name...
Am I right about this, Jonathan? Dead right.
..you take it and you own it.
MUSIC: Love And Pride by King
# That's what my heart yearns for now
# Love and pride... #
I love you. You owe me.
# ..That's what my heart yearns for now
# Love and pride... #
It's a fundraising concert and we're looking for bands to...
No, no. No, no, no, I am in no way suggesting that Sting,
or indeed any other member of The Police, is a pervert.
Cool. Cheers.
Oh, I can probably get you some more next week, if you want.
He'll call.
# ..Take your hairdryer blow them all away
# In you I've found a story I want to keep hearing... #
Oi! # ..In you I see all colours... #
Oi! # ..Not just black or white
# In you I find a reason and hope for all dreamers... #
There are no gay artists on this label. I'm sorry.
They don't have to be gay. That's the point.
This is a coming together of different people...
PHONE RINGS
Reception.
SHE CHUCKLES
It arrived about ten minutes ago, Barry.
Yeah, well, you could come down and get it.
What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?
That's the number for Gay Switchboard.
You never know, one of them might need it one day.
HEFINA: We'll be back in good time for the vote. Righto.
Any problems, we can be reached at the bookshop.
You're going to miss this train. Rowena Roberts has had a baby.
She needs an extra box. I can't hear you.
Rowena Roberts has had a baby. Strange.
I can't... I can't... I can't hear you.
She needs an extra box.
CLIFF CHUCKLES
# ..Some love and pride
# That's what my heart yearns for now
# Love and pride... #
And the difference is this is open to everyone. OK?
Gay, straight, it doesn't matter.
We want people to come together to show their support.
Why should gay people like me support the miners?
Because miners dig for coal, which produces power,
which allows gay people like you to dance to Bananarama
until three o'clock in the morning. Next question?
CHATTER
Are you all right?
Oh, my God!
Yes, you. The cute one.
I've never met a pop star.
I have. Max Boyce.
He was playing Swansea Grand the year our Jane was born.
LAUGHING
What's funny about that?
You need to push the T-shirts and the badges as hard as you can.
This is a fundraiser. Make sure people are buying stuff.
Is he in charge? He's the official photographer.
We don't want it to be all churchy. Do you know what I mean?
It's a christening.
But the readings don't all have to come from the Bible, do they?
You can have all sorts of things nowadays. It's more open.
# ..Some love and pride! #
Meeting's tomorrow, three o'clock sharp.
We'll make it, as long as we leave early enough. And the vote?
At the end. Single question,
can we continue taking your support in the light of recent events?
"Recent events." Mmm. You won't have anything to worry about,
I'm telling you, when they see what you make out of this.
If we make anything out of this.
Are you joking, man? You're already famous.
Give it here.
"Bronski Beat are to headline a benefit
"for the miners at the Electric Ballroom."
CHEERING
"Pits and Perverts is being organised
"by the London Lesbians' and Gay Men's Support the Miners group."
Got the name wrong.
"The event is open to everyone, gay or straight,
"and will be a real festive occasion
"through which we can express our solidarity
"with the mining communities."
CHEERING
CHATTER
Five pounds for a T-shirt, anyone? Five pounds for a T-shirt.
INDISTINCT CHATTER
JOE: Support the miners!
RHYTHMIC APPLAUSE
CHEERING
Welcome, ladies and gentlemen,
to the gays...
CHEERING
..to the straights...
CHEERING
..and to the as-yet-undecided.
CHEERING AND LAUGHTER
Welcome to the Electric Ballroom, Camden, for this,
the first ever Pits and Perverts benefit ball!
CHEERING
JIMMY SOMERVILLE: # Tell me why
# Tell me why... #
MUSIC: Why? by Bronski Beat
# ..Contempt in your eyes when I turn to kiss his lips
# Broken I lie, all my feelings denied, blood on your fist
# Can you tell me why?
# Can you tell me why... #
This is the first gay club we've ever been to.
Yeah? As a matter of fact, we're not gay, either.
Oh.
We're miners.
That's perfect.
Hide me. Hide me.
Hey. Why?
If you see Steph, perhaps you'd give her this?
They want me to join their breakaway group,
Lesbians Against Pit Closures. Strictly women only.
I don't think I could trust myself. Do you?
# ..You and me together fighting for our love... #
Are you going to take my picture, then?
# ..Can you tell me why?
# Can you tell me why?
# Can you tell me why? #
CHEERING
Well, it's incredible to see such a mix of people here tonight,
gay and straight.
Can you see what we've done here?
By coming together, all of us, by pledging our solidarity,
our friendship, we've made history.
CHEERING
Back in our...
Back in our miners' lodge, in Wales,
we have a banner.
And it's old, it's very old. Maybe 100 years.
And it's this, two hands together.
Joined like this.
Well, I tell you now,
you've worn our badge, "Coal not dole"...
..and when the time comes - you have my word on this -
we will wear yours.
CHEERING
Shoulder to shoulder,
hand to hand.
HEFINA: Come on, then, that's right. We're off out for the night.
I hope you ladies aren't going to let me down.
What? We want to see everything! Don't we?
What, everything? Even the rubber scene.
LAUGHTER
MUSIC: You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) by Dead or Alive
# Right round like a record, baby Right round, round, round
# You spin me right round, baby
# Right round like a record, baby
# I want your love
# I want your love... #
LAUGHTER
Sorry, ladies. This is a men-only venue.
Oh, don't be daft, love. We've come all the way from Powys.
LAUGHTER
Evening.
Hello.
MUSIC: Situation by Yazoo
# Blue-eyed dressed for every situation
# Moving through the doorway of a nation
# Pick me up and shake the doubt
# Baby, I can't do without... #
How'd you get into that leotard, then?
Erm, talcum powder.
What?
Talcum powder.
Oh. Lily of the valley, I use.
LAUGHTER
Mark?
Oh, my God. Mark Ashton.
Tim.
Oh, this is insane.
I'm bumping into everybody tonight.
How are you?
You still changing the world?
Bit by bit. Tim, come on.
I haven't been home in four days.
Haven't you?
I'm on a farewell tour.
Where are you going?
TIM CHUCKLES
You are a beautiful man, Mark.
I miss you.
Please take care of yourself. OK?
Please.
Come on.
Please take care.
LIVELY CHATTER
JONATHAN: Come on, then, girls. That's enough.
Back to ours. Bedtime.
Come on.
I'm sorry. Don't worry. You're lighter than your husband.
Mmm. Do you know what I was when I met Alan?
Drunk?
16.
Think that's ridiculous?
I was pretty then.
You're pretty now.
It all goes south, doesn't it?
Love. Looks. Everything.
That's cheery(!)
Sod it.
I always thought sex was for the men, really, anyway.
We just put up with it, don't we? Keep them quiet.
OK.
I will listen to a certain amount of drunken bollocks, Gail,
but sex is not just for the men,
it's for the women, too. Believe me.
GAIL SNIGGERS
Oh, yeah!
SIAN: Gail, come on.
GAIL LAUGHS LOUDLY
No carpets.
This is Laura Ashley. I've seen it before.
Where? Cardiff.
What I want to know is...
..what's this?
SHRIEKS OF LAUGHTER
Hefina, you put that back immediately.
That's nothing. Here, look what else I've found.
You never went under his bed?!
When was the last time you saw anything like that?
Huh? When? When?
GETHIN SIGHS
WOMEN TALKING NEXT DOOR
Don't those women ever sleep?
Jesus, God, that takes me back.
SIGHS
FLOORBOARDS CREAK
Mum?
JONATHAN: So, what were their names again, boys?
GARY: Mine was Jess. CARL: And mine was Carol.
LAUGHTER
Six straight people asked me if they could join us last night.
You're joking. We should set up another group.
Straights Supporting Gays Supporting Miners.
CHATTER
Right, that's it, we're off. What about Bromley?
He's too late. You've got a meeting to get to.
The vote, remember?
OK.
Surely you've got his number, Steph. Nobody's got his number.
He lives at home. Sorry, Mark's right.
If we're going to get there by three...
He's blown it. Come on, let's go.
Oh, what a shame. He was sucking face till the lights came up.
I wouldn't waste any time feeling sorry for him.
Can I please have an aspirin?
INCIDENTAL MUSIC DROWNS OUT SPEECH
CLIFF: What the hell's this?
Plans change, Cliff. It's not my fault.
No answer. They must be on their way.
OK.
I can't speak in front of all these people, Cliff.
I can't.
I know you think you know what you want, Joe, but you're so young.
That's what the law's for, to protect you.
HE SIGHS
I didn't know who I was at your age.
It's such a terrible life, Joe.
It's lonely.
Is that what you want?
No family?
Hiding from people at work, from everyone?
Keeping secrets?
WHISPERS: Come here.
MAN: 'So now Cliff will speak on behalf of the LGSM.'
The floor's yours, Cliff.
Um... Well...
Well, what I want to say abo...
..about the gays and lesbians...
Why don't you do us a poem, Cliff?
LAUGHTER
ALL CHANT: Poem! Poem! Poem! Poem! Poem! Poem!
I want to propose that this meeting is unlawful.
I want to propose that this meeting was brought forward unlawfully
and that most of the people here aren't even from this village.
All right. Let's bring it forward to the vote.
TYRES SCREECH
HEFINA: There we go. Two hours to spare.
Hefina Heddon, you drive like a bloody lunatic.
Oh, Jesus Christ. Gwen, look after the gays.
Righto.
Three o'clock. You can't dictate when the committee sits.
You told us three o'clock. And then we had to change it.
Bloody disgusting way to behave. If you weren't in London...
It's invalid. This decision is invalid.
We can fight it. We've got one fight, Dai. The fucking strike.
Or have you forgotten that, all of you,
dancing around in London?
The trouble with those people is they jump on the bandwagon.
What? It's well known.
They pretend they're backing you,
but what they're really doing is pushing their own agenda.
Gay rights. What?!
We've seen articles, Hefina.
Christ Jesus help me.
You better shut her mouth or I'm going to do it PERMANENTLY!
SHOUTING DAI: No, come on, that's enough.
MAN: An official letter will be sent...
I can't... I can't listen to this.
..to thank them most sincerely.
But the vote was we won't be accepting their support any more.
They're causing us embarrassment, Dai, that's the thing.
And we're not strong enough, not now.
We're struggling to survive as it is.
Oh, that reminds me.
Courtesy of "those people" and their "agenda".
Jesus Christ.
I don't suppose you opened your mouth, did you?
Didn't want to rock the boat, is that it?
There's bloody thousands here.
You think you've known someone your whole life.
Turns out they're a complete stranger.
I'd say the same about you, Cliff.
I'll tell you something. If you think this is what
my brother would have wanted, you're wrong.
We came to help you win, and if we're not helping, we have to go.
This was all you. No.
It was.
DAI SIGHS
All right. Take my advice.
Don't give it all to the fight.
Save some for home.
There's more to life, you know?
You girls have opened my eyes.
I'm going to extend my repertoire, you'll see.
The vegan Delia Smith.
STEPH CHUCKLES
(Bye.)
Bye. Take care, now.
It's a bloody travesty, man.
I don't accept it. Gethin...
I don't. They can't stop me from collecting money. How can they?
Don't be crazy, Gethin. Geth...
Somebody better tell Lesbians Against Pit Closures.
What now? What do you mean?
What are we doing? Where are we going?
It's over, Mike. Were you not paying attention? We lost.
And I don't know about you, but I'm pissing off.
Where? Anywhere.
I'm out of here. What about the rest of us?
Do you think it's possible that, just for once,
you could make your own decision, Mike?
You what?! Do you think that just for once
you could stop following me around like a fucking spaniel
and let me have a life of my own?
Yeah.
Yeah, I think I could manage that, yeah.
Good. Piss off, all of you. Leave me alone.
Oh, fu...
MUSIC: Relax by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners.
Never mind the miners. There's gay people dying every day.
That's what you should be thinking about.
Not the bloody miners.
Arsehole.
LAUGHTER
Excuse me?
Excuse me. I only want to talk to you.
DOORBELL RINGS
TV: 'Now, I tell you what we'll do. Let's come over here.
'This is the key you swapped to.
'Oh, well, we'll leave that there...
'Now, just come over here, my son, and get yourself a nice...'
Is Joe there, please?
No, I'm afraid he's out.
Can you tell him that his friend Gethin's in hospital?
It's very important. He's, erm...
He's in St Thomas's Hospital. He's been beaten up.
Yes, of course I'll tell him.
And will you tell him that Steph called round to see how he was?
Who was that?
Tina. She wants a lift in the morning.
You're back at the Jobcentre tomorrow, don't forget.
I should've...
I should've said more.
I could have. I could have spoken better.
If you're going to cut, cut it straight.
Triangles.
HE SIGHS
I'm gay.
I know.
I've known for a little while now, Cliff.
Since the gays arrived?
Well, I can't speak for the rest of the village, but...
speaking for myself, since about 1968.
HE SIGHS
Well...
Yeah.
HORN HONKS
What's that?
It's the new van.
About time, too.
What the hell's this? New van.
Courtesy of our gay friends down in London.
I'm not getting in that. Then you'll have to stay here.
In you get, lads. Quick now.
MUTTERING
You a lesbian, are you, love?
That's right. We're just off to Swansea now for a massive lez-off.
TV: 'Britain's longest-running national strike is over.
'Amongst scenes of bitterness and anger,
'NUM delegates voted narrowly for an organised return to work on Tuesday.
'Tomorrow, most of Britain's coal miners will return to work.
'They say they'll march back, heads held high.
'It's almost a year to the very day since they walked out
'and embarked on a course of action which...'
Joe, have you seen the news?
Thank God for that.
Joe?
DOOR CLOSES
MARCHING BRASS BAND PLAYS
WOMEN SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY
Bloody hell!
Mark! Where are you going? I'm leaving.
I was trying to make myself feel better and I failed.
I've been virtually under house arrest.
Stuck with my parents. I haven't seen anyone.
I tried ringing Steph, but she's always... Why don't you leave?
I did, last night. I didn't even tell them I was going.
That's not leaving, it's running. What are you going to do now?
Stay here. And do what? And get a job down the pit?
That's all they need, a trained pastry chef with a camera(!)
When are you going to get some guts, huh?
You're a member of LGSM, Bromley.
So stop sneaking out of your mammy's house
in the dead of night and stand up for yourself. Have some pride.
Because life is short, OK?
It's short.
OK?
What should I tell the others? Nothing. I wasn't here.
SIGHS
You're a mad bugger.
I'm taking you home after that. In the van. No arguments.
Will you give this to Jeff, please, Joe?
Of course I will.
Come on.
CHUCKLES
What about Gethin? Is he OK?
Gethin?
The last I heard, he was back on the ward.
I don't like Meltis Fruits.
Then maybe you won't go through them quite so fast.
Help me out with these, will you, Bromley?
DOOR OPENS
Stay in bed.
Keep an eye on Jonathan for me, will you?
He needs to take care of himself.
It's you we're taking care of, you daft sod.
If you could make sure he's got some groceries in.
Gethin...
He's HIV positive, Sian.
He's not supposed to smoke. And he needs to eat properly.
Please. For me.
JOE: Gethin?
Hello!
HE GROANS
This is my mum.
Hello.
Come in.
Back then, when they knew even less about this thing,
they gave out numbers with each diagnosis.
One, two, three and so on.
Of course, when they got into the high thousands, it...
I'm number two.
Nobody knows what's keeping me alive.
I think it's the grass.
What are you going to do now?
Make you some soup.
Drive back to Wales.
No, I mean with your life.
I'm a wife and mother, love.
My life goes back to normal now.
Well, it shouldn't.
You've a first-class mind.
You should do something. Go to college.
Don't waste it, Sian.
There are young people dying every day now...
good people...
..clever, promising.
Don't you dare waste it.
CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYS
Oh, shit.
VAN ENGINE STOPS
WHISPERS: Excuse me.
Sorry.
GUESTS MURMUR
What the hell is this? And where have you been?
Hello. You must be Joe's mum. I'm Sian.
Will you please remove your van from my property?
I hope you appreciate him,
cos there's a whole village back in Wales who thinks he's a hero.
VAN ENGINE STARTS
EMBARRASSED GIGGLES
Joe?
Mum, he's done this on purpose.
It's all right, I'm leaving.
I hope one day we can be friends again, Mum.
Oi, you got something to say to your sister?
I've got something to say to you, Jason. You're a dick.
And, Tina, that tight perm doesn't suit you. It never has.
I'm sorry.
Joe...
Joe!
All right?
Cheers.
BOTH CHUCKLE
While you've been away, I've been changing my act. You watch.
Demure and accommodating, that's me.
The lesbian Lady Di.
I think I'd find that a tremendous disappointment.
BOTH CHUCKLE
I'm glad you came back, Bromley. It wasn't the same without you.
Thanks.
I'm glad I came back, too.
If we were normal, this is when we'd kiss.
BOTH LAUGH
SEWING MACHINE HUMS
There's the rest of it. Thanks.
MACHINE RATTLES
"Screw you, Thatcher" or "Fuck you"?
I can see the appeal of both.
Jonathan, "screw" or "fuck"?
"Screw." It's more visceral.
MAN ON MEGAPHONE: Attention, attention!
We have reason to believe that there are known homosexualists
and a confirmed lesbo inside these premises
and that they are armed with sewing machines and glitter.
A-ha.
Now that you have made yourselves known to me,
I have a question for the notorious Accrington sodomite
known as Mike Jackson. Will you please put that down?
We have a very good relationship with our neighbours. Mike!
HE SIGHS
Mike!
I behaved like a prick before.
Do you forgive me?
Just...just get up here and sew something, will you?
SEWING MACHINE HUMS
There you go, Bromley.
Happy birthday.
Thank you.
Right. Now get to work.
And just for future reference...
..my name's Joe. You tell 'em, Bromley.
ALL CHANT: Bromley! Bromley! Bromley! Bromley! Bromley! Bromley!
Bromley! Bromley! Bromley!
Oi, haven't you heard about the miners, dearie?
They lost.
POLICEMEN LAUGH
Have you heard? No politics. What?
Mark's over with the steward now. No politics?
No slogans. We're a Mardi Gras, apparently.
There was a general feeling... Amongst who? Amongst the committee
that people are tired of politics and that this year,
the tone's celebratory, with affirmative slogans
and a positive atmosphere. Horse shit.
If you march with your banner,
you'll be at the back with the fringe groups.
Mate, we're LGSM. We fought alongside the miners.
Congratulations.
But now it's time for a party. What? Bollocks.
Complete and utter bollocks.
What's LGSM's position?
We're going to march.
But with banners or without? With!
This is a fucking demonstration.
That's why we've decided to lead the fringe groups at the back.
Why would you be leading it?
I'm not getting rid of the banner. Listen...
There's got to be a compromise. Why?
Because that's how you get things done.
No, it fucking isn't. Listen!
Why does everything get so aggressive with you lot?
Listen to me! Listen to me.
Whether we march with banners or without,
the important thing is that we march together, all of us.
That's what this whole thing has been about since the beginning
and that is absolutely how it is going to end.
Together, us united.
Bloody hell.
CHEERING
HORN HONKS
CHEERING
Ah, yeah!
I can't believe you're here. I can't believe you're here!
All right?
Where are my lesbians? Where are my lesbians?
Hi! Hey.
Hi!
These are all cucumber. No butter. Stork SB every one.
I can't believe you came. Miners, see? We love a bloody good march.
Right, where do you want us? I'll tell them.
There's too many of you.
What? You'll have to go to the front. You'll have to lead.
We're not losing our banners, mate. What do you mean...?
"Too many"? What's he on about?
I think he means them.
Caerphilly. West Glamorgan.
East Glamorgan. Abercrave Lodge.
Aberdare Lodge.
Bargoed Surface Lodge.
Fernhill Lodge. Mardy Lodge.
Blaengwrach Lodge. Cambrian Lodge.
Ferniside Plant. Mountain Ash Lodge.
Dulais Valley Lodge, Onllwyn.
Haverfordwest Lodge.
South Wales NUM headquarters.
CLIFF: The gays and lesbians have been absolutely magnificent,
there's no other word for it.
You must have found it a bit weird,
a load of gays and lesbians descending on you like that.
Why on earth would we have found that weird?
UNION MAN CONTINUES CALLING OUT LODGES
This way, guys. We're at the front. APPLAUSE
Come on, guys. We're at the front. This way.
CROWD CHEER
CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICK
Not worried about being too visible this time?
Shut up and march.
MARCHING BAND PLAYS: The Battle Hymn Of The Republic
MUSIC: There Is A Power In A Union by Billy Bragg
# There's power in a factory
# Power in the land
# Power in the hand of the worker
# But it all amounts to nothing
# If together we don't stand
# There is power in a union
# Now, the lessons of the past
# Were all learned with workers' blood
# The mistakes of the bosses we must pay for
# From the cities and the farmlands
# To trenches full of mud
# War has always been the bosses' way, sir
# The union forever
# Defending our rights
# Down with the blackleg
# All workers unite
# With our brothers and our sisters
# From many far-off lands
# There is power in a union
# Now, I long for the morning
# That they realise
# Brutality and unjust laws cannot defeat us
# But who'll defend the workers
# Who cannot organise
# When the bosses send their lackeys out to cheat us?
# Money speaks for money
# The devil for his own
# Who comes to speak for the skin and the bone?
# What a comfort to the widow
# A light to the child
# There is power in a union
# The union forever
# Defending our rights
# Down with the blackleg
# All workers unite
# With our brothers and our sisters
# Together we will stand
# There is power in a union. #