Being Gay in the Thirties (Gay Life)

• Magic (Demo)
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In this outstanding episode of pioneering 1980s TV series Gay Life, Gifford Skinner describes what it was like to be a gay man in the 1930s. Illuminating and nostalgic, Gifford recalls picking up guardsmen in Hyde Park as well as some of the homosexual ‘characters’ he encountered in London’s West End. The gay activist, historian and sociologist Jeffrey Weeks is interviewed about gay law reform.
This episode is presented by Michael Attwell, who also produced the series for the London Minorities Unit. London Weekend Television may have screened Gay Life in the Sunday night ‘graveyard’ slot of 11.30pm (London area only), but it attracted a lot of publicity, some of it negative. Lesbians protested that they were excluded from the first series in 1980, so this was rectified for the much-improved second series in 1981. In the pages of Gay News veteran activist Dudley Cave welcomed Gay Life, saying it reached “into the homes and the closets to places where Gay News never gets.”
Director:
John Oven

[@pam0626]

No one does a documentary better than the Brits. They just jump right into the topic. Nothing sugar-coated. It’s quite refreshing.

[@aprilapril2]

This film must have been made in the early 1980 s

[@MrYougotcaught]

there were many nighttime "Vice" channels in the 80's in the USA as well. Some were pay-per-view channels. Nevertheless, Americans jumped right into the controversial topics despite societal norms. The Brits weren't the only ones. The Stonewall Riot of 1969 is perhaps the first Gay Pride of the world

[@jmdenn3000]

No over dramatic non sense americans do but like the french to

[@Mcfreddo]

Honey Pea The early 70's. Many cars in the film were 60's vehicles- like the Mark 1 Cortina

[@cynthianovoselsky3592]

So very true

[@jorgeamdv]

WONDERFUL DOCUMENTARY. I AM 67 YEARS OLD AND I LOVE BEING GAY. I HAVE BEEN WITH MY SPOUSE FOR 37 YEARS AND I STILL ADORE HIM. I WANT TO BE GAY IN THE NEXT LIFE AS WELL.

[@dewilew2137]

Jorge A. Melendez this is just so sweet. god bless you both ♥️

[@ChristinaWoodall]

Jorge, you and your partner sound lovely ❤❤❤❤

[@boonmouche]

Have you filled out your application yet?

[@mickeymouse2able]

@GIANCARLO G. GUERRA lol

[@mickeymouse2able]

Congratulations! What is the secret to a happy marriage?

[@pattyajones]

As a parent of a gay child, I am SO HAPPY things are a bit better now. I know, my loves still have roadblocks, but we love him and his husband with every fiber of our being.

[@eugeniasyro5774]

I'm sorry.

[@sleepy-vw9ud]

You are amazing for this, thank you.

[@briancanfield5658]

Parent of a gay child? Voted foe Biden huh. Good job

[@ShiestyApe]

💀💀

[@francisconeto3963]

@@eugeniasyro5774don’t be she’s happy not everyone’s like you

[@duhhhck8408]

As a straight woman, I have so much respect for these people, for their bravery being their true selves.

[@ZiggyonMars]

I’m a gay 16 year old girl, I can’t articulate the feeling of love and warmth I get from seeing pictures and videos of gay people in the past well enough. I have so much thanks to give to these people for fighting so long so in the future, people of my generation can be relatively safe to be themselves.

[@dolliekisshearts]

❤️

[@emperorofpluto]

Same here. Love is love.

[@clairoswife]

me too i need more historical gay documentaries.

[@darrencaruana1350]

Its not love , its lust . A man can never love another man like that and same is for a woman. The heart deceives as its written in the bible and the devil is doing great work because were opening the door for him. This man proved it. He said that he fist started looking at boys bottoms. He didnt say he loved a boy first. Repent and run away from these things. As much as heaven , hell is a true place and most of us will go there

[@darrencaruana1350]

​@@emperorofplutoand lust is lust. This is lust not love

[@JulianTruant]

And in 10 years, I too will get to be gay in the 30s!

[@danielbenitez6985]

Right now you're gay in the 20s 😯

[@debbieanne7962]

Ryan, so true. Sadly these men are probably all dead today. Feel for them. My niece is gay and thank god everyone in the family are happy for her and her loves

[@purestqi]

😂

[@Marcel_Audubon]

haha!

[@HardCold-Alquan]

If you make it to the 30's - doing men in the booty!

[@graphite2786]

"I didn't have a camp name" "Er, you probably didn't know about it" ..30's shade..

[@oltedders]

It wasn't the 30s but we had names for everyone we saw going out but weren't acquainted with anyone in their circle of friends.

[@texas1949]

graphite That was really funny! 🥰

[@darrenriffa1]

Hilarious

[@scipioafricanus5871]

Oh snap! The shade is too real...

[@cristyluv1205]

30s shade .....😂😂😂

[@kristymc6784]

Now I know how my uncle felt. His name was Frances McQueen. He taught me how to pluck my eyebrows. She taught me how to curse a like a lady. He taught me how we are young woman. I am so grateful that my uncle was in my life. My mother is not a feminine woman at all. So my uncle took me under his wing and taught me how to be a lady. Thank you Uncle Frankie

[@Badfingerbabe777]

I had a wonderful kind gay uncle. He was the best to my sis and me so funny to be around and always laughing. We ended up over the top girly girls . I know my uncle would love it haha.

[@gilbertianrueda]

Beautiful!

[@pnnd123]

I knew a wonderful gay man, by the same name, in North Beach, San Francisco. Out and about before the entire Castro Street culture. He had terrific stories of The City back in the day.

[@robscheuermann5847]

@@gilbertianrueda hai

[@justwinfelipe6495]

How does one curse like a lady?

[@MegaStephybear]

I remember my Great Uncle Charlie and his partner Johnny. They always introduced him into the room as my uncles "best friend". They were together for years, yet couldn't come out to the family, well they tried and my Great Nan and Nan would never and still don't admit he was gay. Same on the other side, both my Great Uncle Chick and Uncle John. Although it was always common knowledge they were gay. Nobody in the family would ever actually say it. I'm so glad it has changed since then. I've always said, if my daughter was gay and ever came out, I would totally stand by her and support her. I don't understand why just because your child is gay, you can't accept them..... They are still your babies, whatever happens.

[@TheAmocca]

My granddad still referred to my cousin's husband as "his friend" Dennis, even after 10 years of marriage ... He wasn't hostile or mean towards them (or me or my gay aunt), he just refused to acknowledge it... which is its own kind of passive aggression I suppose.

[@Barbe]

You'd actually exploit them like an accessory.

[@truepeacenik]

@@Barbe Explain?

[@PHlophe]

i felt like i was reading this from a southern african family. i too had a great uncle who had his own partner ( a roommate) . we know what was up we didn;t put words into it either. they survived in the open and hidden in the african context where gender roles are 100% strict. there are zero blurry lines. they spend their entire existence together within the family compound .

[@TheSpinDoctor]

Me Aunty Elsie (actually a distant cousin but raised as my great grandaunt - her mother was the latter but she was raised as her real mother’s sister by their mother) was openly living with another woman in the 1950s in Bristol, and everyone knew but no one _said_ they knew, not in front of company. In the 80s her Mrs, Aunty Rose (we all called her Aunty, like they were married) was always introduced to everyone as “Aunty Elsie’s friend, Aunty Rose”. I now really feel for them both having to deny themselves on a daily basis. I only met her once but would LOVE to talk to her now.

[@rallyrobb943]

I love these guys. I'm a straight man who has had a gay best friend sense we were in grade school. And because of men like these right here, my friend can live a happy, out life without worrying about being judged constantly. Thank you, heros 💙

[@funkyjaguilera]

🤗

[@GallegosBestInk]

Well, us gays are still judged. In larger cities we are a bit less judged though.

[@rallyrobb943]

@@GallegosBestInk I'm sorry. That makes me so aggravated to hear. Like, a guy can be a super macho hetero and his friend be a gay super femme...it doesn't make any difference what someone else is, as long as you like the person that they are! Who you associate with, doesn't have to make you any different! Judge the person, not their sexuality/race/color/income level/etc...ugh.

[@scouser2010ify]

My best friend is straight too :),he has my back totally we’ve been accused of sleeping with each other though has that happened to you and your friend ?

[@johnoakes4143]

crazzi-j north certainly has many times people have speculated about my friendship with other men. I am fortunate that my straight friends ignore such nonsense and are not afraid to show their love for me in public.

[@wilfordfraser6347]

"I wouldn't go to bed with her"....lol....I still know gay men like this.

[@mickeymouse2able]

why would I go to bed with a woman when there are so many sexy men out there?

[@rodneykingston6420]

I have no interest in trying to seduce hetero men, but if even my mom could tell you were gay, I probably wouldn't be into you.

[@MrCrowebobby]

Or as Boy George said: "If I wanted to have sex with a queen, I'd buy a mirror."

[@Rotj6]

As a gay man in modern London it's fascinating to see how far we've come although sad that lgbt venues have now declined so substantially. I agree with the speaker at the end that we need to be less focused on definitions and labels. Unfortunately things have got worse since then with ever narrower and more specific terms to describe sexual orientation which aren't all that useful.

[@pleidiolwyfimwlad2104]

Why should u have venues if u want 2 be equal?

[@echt114]

@@pleidiolwyfimwlad2104 Because people often like to hang out with others with common interests.

[@nightowl5475]

I remember as a young man the first time I ever had sex, I was scared to death! I was all alone.

[@azadok4215]

safety @@pleidiolwyfimwlad2104

[@swordscot]

Made in 1981. Tragic to think what lay just around the corner for a lot of the men shown here.

[@janiceharris6219]

I'm a former nurse and remember the fear of that time. I never thought I would see another health scare that is so frightening,

[@Blisteryn]

Not only for gay people, but i guess gay people will always be associated to AIDS. The world needs education and information.

[@lucifer2b666]

@@Blisteryn Primarily it was gays who got it. Yes it's transmissible to anyone who's sexually active but it primarily was in the gay community at the time. Now it's primarily in Africa, prostitution, drug addicts and gays as well but not as much as the other groups.

[@rupertprawnworthy758]

@@lucifer2b666 Heterosexual people too

[@ajkleipass]

@@lucifer2b666 It was also in the blood supply. Hemophiliacs - especially young kids - also were victims of the hysteria. Google the Ray Brothers for a sample of how cruel people can be to innocent victims of a virus (as if 2020 hasn't been enough of a lesson ;-) )

[@kevinconners2283]

They were called 'confirmed bachelors' back in the day.

[@aprilapril2]

@Melenor Duranee some were married

[@haftago2]

So much empathy for these men sharing their stories. Love them. Thanks for being open. So much respect for you. I'm so glad there were good times in all that persecution during those times. You have made life to much easier for others

[@keythwarren5075]

Every little insight into gay history and culture shows how they fought for the freedoms we now enjoy today. We’ve just celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary and we know we are fortunate to have found each other’s soul mate. Be happy everyone! Xx

[@60waystomakemoneyonline43]

That freedom you enjoy is not everywhere but I believe it will extend down to us someday

[@theoriginldw]

that man’s smile. happiness radiating in every picture.

[@michaelburling]

I worked on this series. It seems incredible now, but LWT were at the time considered to be taking a huge step in putting such a series on maintime British television. It was shunted away at some ridiculously late hour on a Sunday night, but nonetheless the company was to be congratulated on paving the way for gay programmes on TV.

[@andyandthedevil]

That’s amazing!

[@michaelburling]

@@andyandthedevil Yes, a hell of a lot has happened in the last 40 years!

[@gogoboogiepop]

Thats really incredible!! So cool!

[@BruceDanton-xw6eg]

Yes I remember it being on too. Saw it listed in the TV Times at the time Mind you like a lot of old series it is perhaps more well done than the TV of today.

[@BruceDanton-xw6eg]

I don't know if the series was shown on all of the itv network or whether it was just on lwt in London at the time though

[@tobyalleyne-gee8966]

Brilliant! I was 15 or 16 when this was aired, but as a sheltered child in an extremely conservative household, of course I would never have seen this. It goes to show that not everyone was as bigoted as my parents, who were 37 and 40 at the time. When I came out, or should I say, was "outed" by my godfather (who, unbeknownst to me, was gay himself), I was thrown out of the family, forbidden to see my sisters and brother, and didn't go home for five years. I ended up leaving the country (I've lived in Switzerland since 1988) and it took my parents ten years to visit me. Now we all get on (we should! They're both almost 80). It is heartening to see that not everyone was as narrow-minded back then. And above all to see the HUGE progress that has been made in accepting people as they are and stopping labelling people who are "different" over the past few decades. This is really a ground-breaking documentary. Balanced, nuanced, non-judgemental. Absolutely excellent. I am, incidentally, extremely "musical" - which is why I was sent away to a choir school at the age of nine and then to a very "musical" public school!

[@andyandthedevil]

Such a beautiful story! We’re very lucky that less and less teenagers are thrown out of their houses simply based on their sexuality. The battle for acceptance will be a long one, but we are fighting it! 🧡

[@tobyalleyne-gee8966]

@@andyandthedevil Yes, we must keep up the good work :-)

[@markmaxner4060]

It would be interesting to make another one of these updated and have today's youth watch and here their critique of us. It was informative and great to see our progression.

[@caseyhoffman228]

I’ve been musical my whole life. I’m very much a man, married to my musical husband for almost 3 years.

[@vargatomi]

The theory that you can tell if someone is gay by the shape of their pubic hair is absolutely priceless. :D

[@acgillespie]

It's the speech Impairment. Also most seem to have a lover named brucie and they lovie to watchy the newsy together. how cute righty?

[@unclenelvis]

You can't argue with scientific facts.

[@mogadon7]

@@unclenelvis I disagree, scientific statements by scientists are best guess assessments, by degree.

[@mogadon7]

@theRightizright If there is a hell then why have thousands of priests taken the risk by raping children over the years ? And people at the very top of societies, all over the world. I guess hell only exists for the people at the bottom of society so they keep in line and do as they are told.

[@desertflower5724]

@@mogadon7 hell was designed for evil. If you've not accepted Christ as your Saviour, then you're not protected. The tiniest sin is evil, but God gave us an out... His name is Jesus... God cannot condone sin of any kind, which is why Jesus died on the cross... He is our bridge to God. Its so very true. So very simple... Its a gift nobody should take lightly & anyone can accept that gift...

[@gatewayz75]

Very interesting. I’m in my early 50s and my friends and I still have female nicknames for each other and refer to each other as her and she, this is extremely old school and my younger friends find it amusing and it’s unheard of now on the gay scene but we refuse to stop doing it !

[@thomasbaker3418]

Haha, I know what you mean, girlfriend.

[@aodhganmerrimac]

Oh Mary! ;)

[@kathrynwitte3398]

It was good enough for Freddie.

[@kenster8270]

Using female nicknames and pronouns (and in some languages feminine grammatical conjucations) has probably been done by androgynous people forever. 200 years ago, effeminate males were called Mollies! Gay does not mean androgynous, gay just means homosexual. But you can be both. :)

[@jacklow9611]

It's still common in the drag scene (because of the drag personas). Not so much, elsewhere.

[@1049berkeley]

I did not know what musical was, but the illustration of Adam in the Bible stories always made my instrument musical at a young age. My first concert was at 18. There were fireworks.

[@andyandthedevil]

💀gotcha

[@dariusanderton3760]

with a lot of explosions like Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture

[@samking4329]

As a mother of a fantastic gay son thank you for paving the way to say it must of been tough is an understatement! Sisters forever x

[@jackielowrie1096]

My grandson came out to me first, I actually said to him thank goodness I thought I would have to tell you. That was seven years ago, his other granny is disgusted and won't have his partner in her house. Silly woman she is the looser missing out on a loving caring couple,

[@stephencarter9570]

I played on the statue of the family. It stood near a church in Harlow where I grew up.loved this. I came out in 1975 and have been with my partner since I met him then. Please let people live their life without government interference.

[@erichodge567]

Today I learned...where the expression "pervert" came from, and I may never use it again.

[@MrEnoBeano]

I grew up in the fifties and I was terrified of being found out that I had these gay feelings and thoughts. I remember telling someone I hated homosexuals so he wouldn’t think I was gay.

[@kingy002]

I hope you aren't still hard on yourself for that. In 1986, here in New Zealand, the homosexual law reform bill went through parliament. I was 19 years old, closeted, and working in an engineering factory with about 25 other men. The foreman of the workshop took a petition bill around the factory and he forced me to sign against myself. Obviously, I have always regretted that, but I don't feel guilty about it. I just didn't have a voice in those days and was depressed and intensely shy. Today I eat the bastard for the mere suggestion of it.

[@baronmulberry7847]

I'd heard of "a friend of Dorothy". Hadn't heard it's synonym, musical. I remember Joan Rivers reminisced about how very early in her career she told jokes about her hairdresser. She cheekily called him Mr Phyllis. And many people were really shocked that a gay man would be a character in a comedy routine. At the time, that was verboten, even in comedy. Joan was quite fearless and a true pioneer in comedy. Now that she's gone, thank heavens for KZbin.

[@rupertprawnworthy758]

I am a 39 yo gay man and one of the biggest influences on my life was my very elderly and very posh gay great uncle he was 90 when I was in my early teens and I would be shocked to discover that he didn't know the two old dollies featured in the start of this video very well indeed. He studied at the Royal College of music back in the 30s and moved in very elevated circles I hope to be like him when I am older silk cravat and all.

[@districtline]

I wasn't ready for LWT ident..what memories that brings back!

[@BruceDanton-xw6eg]

It does too.

[@ohno1706]

My grandfather's brother was a cravat and beret wearing gay man. We all knew but never talked about it. It was his business. He moved from Havana to NYC in 1957. One of the Kindest souls I've ever met. RIP Unkle Eddie miss you.

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

This is wonderful. Thank you for sharing it!

[@rionrion500]

As a millennial this documentary is rather amazing!

[@Caocao8888]

Brandon Greenleaf - As do you. Honey!

[@jenniferwilcox9759]

Rion Rion: What does being millennial have to do with your rating the documentary as amazing?

[@NyanPoptartCat]

​@Gregory Smith Curious: What do "triggers" have to do with the fact this person appreciates the video and seems to enjoy learning about a time and place in history that's just as distant and foreign to you as it is to them? What was the point of that. Scorn young people for being ignorant; scorn them for wanting to learn. The poor things can't win. 🤷 Also, I'm a Millennial and I remember all of those things. We aren't an umbrella term for "damn kids these days." Some of us have kids on the brink of entering college, or actually in college. Cheers!

[@dariusanderton3760]

@Gregory Smith yes, back in the day when even liberals felt they had to be homophobic, because they feared being labelled as gay themselves

[@NyanPoptartCat]

@Gregory Smith Oh, yes, I remember Ellen coming out of the closet. I may have been quite young but was very aware that it was a pretty big deal. Queer as Folk? The original came out in 1999. I remember this stuff. I never saw QaF because I'm not a TV watcher, but I certainly knew OF it. The show I was interested in at the time? X-Files. Dream On appears to have aired in 1990. I'll admit I'd never heard of it, but I also grew up in a religious family, and I watched what my elders watched. If they'd have watched it I'd remember it. The sitcoms of my childhood were Newhart, Who's the Boss?, Growing Pains, Perfect Strangers, WKRP, Happy Days, Full House, M*A*S*H, Family Matters. Generational boundaries are flawed in so many ways. Millennials are a big group. A friend ten years younger than I am is technically a Millennial, but the explosion of digital technology that happened between his childhood and mine means our formative experiences were different. He does not remember 9/11. He's the age group you're confusing me with. We older Millennials, the ones who actually came of age at the turn of the century, are pushing 40 and PARENTING Zoomers, the ENTIRE generation of kids who never knew life without the internet. Some of my peers' kids are prepping for college already. My family didn't get dial-up until I was a teenager. Yes, I remember a pre-digital world very, very well. Just clearing that up. Cheers.

[@benlucas3625]

They were so well put together. Still wearing suits in retirement even in a more casual time. They would be shocked to see the shorts, tanktops, ripped jeans and flip flops people go to bars in now.

[@lyndavanvogt6240]

@Bravo Luca there is still2 Gay Bars in my City. Busy times Canada

[@carollopes5950]

No they wouldn't since gay ppl in the 70s were already weaving that kind of clothing

[@danielsims5715]

Whether it lasts a day or a lifetime, Love is everything. Few of us regardless of our sexuality, have a love that lasts a lifetime. But to experience it is what makes life worth living. To love and be loved is Everything. And lest we forget, we can't choose whom we love! Sleep with perhaps, but love? If you have experienced that in your life cherish the memory, if you are in love, rejoice.

[@stephaniemurria5534]

Yes. To be loved is the greatest thing. Few people experience that.

[@buzzwaldron6195]

Not love... just misdirected sex...

[@justynagorka3972]

@@stephaniemurria5534 really? Loves means sacrifice. I don't see they sacrifed anything. They are just indulging in their lust. That's not love, it's just sex.

[@mesimesi2313]

How do you love someone within a day?

[@elsakristina2689]

It must be so difficult to have to say and live a lie and hide one’s real feelings in one’s public life just to stay safe and even literally alive. And sadly it’s still like this in a lot of places and regions.

[@CJBlanda]

I found that was an interesting viewpoint as if the 50s just rolled by, and we in America had a grand time with a secret language and many bars and restaurants opened with firm rules of dress. There were the elegant bars of the Eastside in the 50s and 60s streets that required suit and tie that had their own crowd, and there were the more casual west sidebars and coffee shops, then there was the famous Greenwich Village that had history on its side with decor and charm, one such bar still exists in the same location West 10th Street and still exists called 'Julius'

[@Steviepics]

It's too often forgotten that before Channel 4 came along LWT was doing important work on gay themes.

[@TIVOSTUDIOS]

Great loved, I've been living in the UK for the past 20 years and the reason I moved from Brazil to here was that I almost died after been batched and needed to lie constantly at work and for others, for some people I needed to lied and for other I became automatically associated with the word gay, I never really fit in any of those lifestyles, im not attracted to women, that for so im gay, but im also not into the whole gay drama, shade, etc but people that knew I was gay automatically attached to me everything it was perceived as a gay trade, who thought I was straight tried to push me blind dates and girls were making a move all the time, and the ones who knew thought I understand about decoration, fashion or thought that deep inside I probably feel like a woman lol im pretty cool about being gay, but im not 24 hrs homosexual and in Brazil people connected your sexuality to everything about you, here in the UK I was not only able to explore what is being gay without fear but also to not fell presurize to fell ashame, i can be openly but not have every decision or characteristic of mine automaticly linked with my sexuality, im not longer the gay guy in the office, im just myself , my sexuality is no longer the elephant in the room, is just part of me, not the definition of me

[@nmuphelps1]

Agreed 100%!!!

[@emperorofpluto]

Amazing. Powerful. And an important historical document. When "Sing if you're glad to be gay" came out (Monty Python's "Secret Policeman's Ball") I was an awkward teenager in an all male school. Wish I'd seen this back then.

[@albertmarnell9976]

In 1970 no one "Came Out of the Closet". If you did, you lost your job. It did not matter if you were a top heart surgeon or what your profession was. On April 27, 1953, President Dwight Eisenhower signed Executive Order 10450, banning homosexuals from working for the federal government or any of its private contractors. This hysteria permeated not only professional life but everyday life for everyone. Many people took their lives. This still occurs today even in the more developed nations.

[@jdh6752]

Judging by the recent amount of "honey trap" stings on gay men working in the intelligence agencies, I wonder if it was a bad idea?

[@albertmarnell9976]

@@jdh6752 The bad idea is "not realizing that homosexuality is common" has always been and is normal. Homosexuality may never have been the majority, but it always was common and normal. What "recent" honey trap stings are you writing about? Ignorance about human sexuality has always been the problem. Ignorance about the homeless has always been a problem. Ignorance about the tax theft sent to the elites has always been a problem. The Military, Industrial, Congressional Complex has always been the problem. Pandering to archaic notions including what you just wrote, is the problem. Most homosexuals today are not ashamed of being so. Blackmail can be used against anyone for any false allegation of any kind. A rumor or allegation is the easiest thing in the world to make by any group that wants to conspire against another group or individual about anything. A group of connected people could accuse you of a murder you did not commit or other crime. They could blackmail you so that they do not go forth with the false allegation. The ability to blackmail has always been a problem. Blackmail is the real crime, not human sexuality or people that want to take down others by any false allegations of any sort. Please see "Victim" 1961 and get the concept. It will take time but you will understand things better.

[@littleones-yeahh]

lol. good.

[@howdy268]

Thankyou those amazing and brave persons who suffered persecution so that here we are 2020 with marriage equality same sex Parenting ,gay prides ,laws against sexuality discrimination...openly gay politicians etc..

[@lucyjones6060]

This documentary is so good. Some of the views expressed are so well put and all encompassing, it actually makes me think we are going backwards at present.

[@ehxjsjd4553]

I know right.

[@garyhunt8067]

Even though I'm not gay, I remember watching this when I was a kid.

[@ownSystem]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@BruceDanton-xw6eg]

@@garyhunt8067 I remember it being on then too also.

[@tonymcneil978]

Is he "musical"....love it.

[@PHlophe]

i had to read the comments to understand that musical was a code word lol! y'all are creative

[@michaeljordan9879]

When I was a kid, adults politely described a gay boy as “artistic”.

[@drwilloughbys3342]

Im not gay but the thought of all those straight sailors gets me going.

[@queencerseilannister3519]

Perhaps Bi then?

[@bm.3759]

what?

[@direfranchement]

😂😂😂

[@juanitacanon3120]

You should reconsider then 🤣🤣🤣

[@Eli08ish]

Lmao chileee

[@cadicorniche]

Being gay is no one's business but my one. As long has you have respect for yourself and those whom you encounter it should remain a personal preference. I am a man in my late 60s and have NEVER had to 'come out' or profess my sexuality to anyone....nor have I have been treated 'differently' by society at large. I have ALWAYS had family and friends who excepted me for the person that I am. (I understand that I am fortunate in that...friends of mine have not been so blessed.)

[@WoodynVA]

This was really interesting to watch. I was extremely struck by how the difference in time and culture has changed how gay men feel about themselves and the use of labels. I wish more straight men today were like they were in the 30s. :)

[@blue3381]

Straight guys today can't be casual about letting a gay dude service them, because the gay community would immediately label them as gay.

[@andyandthedevil]

blue33 you make it sound like it’s the fault of the gay community. To me it sounds like the problem of the fragile straight masculinity. Not being comfortable enough in their own “heterosexuality” to deal with being labeled something that they repress in themselves. No actual straight man would want “services” from a gay guy. And the ones that do act upon their heavily repressed bisexual side.

[@blue3381]

@@andyandthedevil It's guys like you who force most straight men to stay clear of any kind of experimentation. Your mid-century view that a heterosexual man wouldn't be serviced by a gay man is ridiculous (maybe u should go back and watch this video.) How about the countless gay men who married woman and fathered children? They were able to "get it up" and reach orgasm. Your "logic" says they are really straight or bi. Likewise, a man can be 100% attracted to women and still get a bj from a guy in certain circumstances. There are straight men who do gay porn or prostitute themselves for cash or to support a drug habit. There are straight men in prison, who... well, ...you know. There is also the narcissism factor which is another aspect of male sexuality - where a straight man gets off on being admired and worshiped - but still has no sexual attraction other men. And there are guys who sometimes just want to get off, and they like the quick and easy attitude (or anonymity) of a more-than-willing gay guy (women can be more complicated and expensive to court, etc.) The original comment here was, "I wish more straight men today were like they were in the 1930s." Well, one reason they aren't is because people like you think, "Well... they must be attracted to men, and therefore, they are gay or bi."

[@jtrain5615]

@@blue3381 You make some excellent points. There are many stories of gay men who were sexually active with women, and just because they could get an erection and have an orgasm doesn't change their sexual preference - Even if they found some level of pleasure in it, they still call themselves gay. And it's not for anyone else to tell them they must be hetero or bisexual. I swear these pc people who think they figured everybody out are such a f#cking bore.

[@annemiller3530]

Andy and the Devil, you're dead right about it being the fragility of the straight male ego.

[@joschuaberes1471]

Eye opening and the fact they had address books quite reminds me of Grindr

[@jeffdahlman8581]

I am SO glad this documentary was made ....so much needed information for the younger generations to come - Thankyou for posting this

[@chenashlynx7477]

This documentary is an absolute gem

[@grambi]

Still thinking about the atrocious things they did to Alan Turing and so many others...

[@erichimes3062]

As a Gen-X, straight married white male, I can remember not caring a bit about who might be gay, who was, etc. in school, when so many people were preoccupied with the topic. I wonder how those homophobes turned out

[@gregoryambres1897]

Gifford is absolutely ADORABLE. And very posh, judging by his perfect accent. I can tell by his suit; the way that he talks, and moves, that he is VERY upper eschelon. 🏆

[@janaltus]

Yes, Gifford comes across as being quite adorable. However, he would not have been considered "posh". He would, most probably, be considered "lower middle class" with "affected speech".

[@cuteguy9358]

Great documentary.

[@Tampo-tiger]

Every day I'm thankful that we live in an era when barely anybody gives a tinker's cuss if you're gay, straight or a helicopter. When my parents grew up in the UK it was illegal to be homosexual, and only legalised in 1967. Before that people had been jailed for being gay, that is, they were imprisoned for being normal, harmless human beings. I wonder what will happen over the next 50 to 100 years or so? I hope our society works hard on developing its ability to be kind and understanding. I am making this lockdown/pandemic my watershed point, where I will never again utter an unkind word about anyone, nor entertain an unkind thought. It is remarkably refreshing, and is the way I hope people will be in 100 years time. We owe it to our descendants to improve things for them, just as our ancestors did for us, and what better than a tidal wave of compassion?

[@stevebirch7175]

A brilliant piece of TV. Thanks for this.

[@gavinrobb85]

Amazing documentary. The characters of these men are fantastic. Proud to be a gay man in the uk 😀

[@bunkyman8097]

These men and others like them have paved the way for all of us and for that I am truly greatful. It is up to us to do the same for those that come after us.

[@MyGlobalEventReports]

@@bunkyman8097 it wasn’t always fine and dandy in the 1940’s. After ww2 there was a shortage of men. My gay uncle felt the pressure to get married. On his wedding night he told his wife he would not be doing any hanky panky with her. However, they remained together for the rest of their lives- best friends. Now did he have a secret boyfriend - we will never know.

[@zeddeka]

Apparently as early as the 1800s, Shaftesbury Avenue had a reputation. The joke was that it was the place you went to "bury your shaft"

[@Bochanable]

Sexual fluidity is a much more postmodern phenomena and far more realistic.

[@andyandthedevil]

I do agree with that! In an ideal world everyone would identify as sexually fluid and attraction would only be determined by personal taste.

[@MicaRayan]

I love these expressions...! I'm always befriending people that years older than me, so I tend to know quirky things abt life back then. Well, at least a bit. Idk anything about UK...but here I've been told there were swimming pool complex which had since been demolished- after the community don't feel okay about it. Then the scene keeps on hop from one 'temporary' to another 'temporary' venue. It keeps on changing.

[@crystalmason829]

the British accent is just captivating you can get lost in the dialogue of any topic just because…❤❤❤

[@salsifilaurent]

Paradoxally it seems that Homosexuality was way more vibrant and exciting before legalisation and that many so called heterosexual men were prone to experience it without taking the chance to be labelled "gay". Win / Win situation for everyone

[@davesky538]

I appreciate this so much!

[@ivtch51]

Thank for this wonderful doco. The ending says that a redefining of gayness is under way. May I suggest that in achieving equal marriage rights that we do not need to model our coupled relationships on the patriarchal, straight model. I think in the quietness and privacy of our individual relationships this is beginning to happen.

[@kennysikes1140]

Really enjoyed this!! I wouldn't go to bed with her; obviously two bottoms, lol...but really sounds like a lot of them were really good friends. I feel very lucky that things are better these days, not saying perfect, but I'm married to my husband of 19 years we have a little girl that's seven. Never thought I would be able to say this. We were legally allowed four years ago remember being asked after we married do you feel any different? I remember saying I love him now as much as I did years ago that I think two people no matter who they are want to marry and celebrate their love should always have that option it was along time coming. Yesterday, tomorrow and forever❤️

[@StevenSeven]

Thanks for posting this. 👍

[@ftorres93]

Wonderful docu .... Those two fabulous gentleman discussing their life....

[@TheLinda1310]

My best friend was an openly gay man, but everyone assumed we were husband and wife, 🤷‍♀️ yes I believe you can sometimes tell someone is gay and sometimes not, but does it really matter,there still is a lot of prejudice today and always will be my friend just laughed i5 off and said it truly never bothered him, but I feel for the people who name calling and prejudice does still affect , god bless you my Jeff I will always miss you 🥲

[@johnshort5003]

In the eighties I was impressed by gays. They seemed to be having a much better time than me. I read Jean Genet and Thom Gunn. I gave it a try but it just wasn't for me. I'm now openly heterosexual.

[@JosephCompnotta]

I use to have a book about the 2 doctors that set the standards for the military for physical and mental. They were lovers themselves!

[@msbrowngault]

😅😂

[@gogoboogiepop]

TYSM 4 sharing this vid!! 🙏🙏❤❤

[@sclearance58]

Wonderful documentary!

[@fattyginsberg4977]

The concept of the homosexual did not exist. Oscar Wilde : Hold my sherry.....

[@TheSpaceman332211]

I want a HBO or Netflix series about this particular time and scene.

[@brianrjclarke]

Neither HBO or Netflix could be trusted to deliver such a clean and unbiased documentary. Both would turn the facts into political and woke propaganda. This documentary is perfect. Cannot be beaten.

[@stananders474]

I'm 72. Those were better days.

[@msbrowngault]

Would like to see interviews from those living during the late 19th century. I wonder how they managed 🤔

[@bajrsgord]

Nice documentary - i came out as gay at age 56 having known I was same sexual attracted since before puberty but …. It wasn’t an option to be a gay teen in the late 60’s in small town America.

[@carol-mn5tx]

omg thank you . my bf in high school came out to me. thanks so much for the doc

[@jerusalembible]

Thank you for such a well-done documentary! Much appreciation.

[@randomdude1053]

Damn bro as a gay 21yo dude this is interesting

[@JohnnyRei]

Be careful! If you watch this video until the end - you will become musical.

[@solssun]

I’m so thankful, just a little bit of our history got to survive

[@groush]

British television, one of the few remaining entertainment sources that still value proper grammar. But this program seems to be decades old.

[@texas1949]

They called each other “sisters”? Brahahaha! Yes! Good for them!

[@kusperi]

it shoulda been brothers really

[@gsogso3444]

Great Documentary...thank you

[@russyboy68]

I started working in London when i was 18 1986 I use to go to all the gay bars, I'd always end up chatting to old boys like that. I found them really interesting to talk to, They used to teach me Polari. I can still remember it today

[@smokerlad]

So much has changed but it's also striking just how so much is exactly the same too, when the old gent says that he wanted a "real" man. It's still the same, I think that's why has given rise to the need to be as hyper macho masculinity in gays maybe

[@emgoodluck416]

That’s so interesting that they felt more persecuted in the 70’s and 80’s than the 30’s and that the men were quite willing having relations before they knew what queer was.

[@chrisbean]

Poor guys. They couldn't live their youth freely. Time and society were against them😢

[@expromanticart6491]

You have to go back much longer than that. Greeks and Romans were some of the forerunners!

[@prahslra]

Now very proud of producer Michael Attwell, who I used to know in the early 80s when I was dating his housemate AK. Hello Michael!

[@jackgross6133]

I have letters from two gay men me and my man left in the attic of a house we bought from the survivor in 1990,....dated from the later 30' into the 40's during WW2,....you don't have to look too far between the lines to know they were a couple but were being careful not to be so obvious...i have scores and scores of them and would like to archive them for future historical purposes....is very interesting.

[@ehxjsjd4553]

Wow, that seems quite interesting. You should try and donate them to a museum. That sounds amazing.

[@tomardans4258]

‘People didn’t know what a homosexual was before a hundred years ago.’ The sun didn’t use fusion until we discovered it! Also, the Ancient Greeks couldn’t see blue!

[@claytonallen5428]

I used to be gay for 20 years and now I’m asexual. My life is a blessing and I’m proud to be alive.

[@henrique.2975]

but you can be gay n asexual, romantic and sexual attraction are different things

[@claytonallen5428]

@@henrique.2975 what’s the difference?

[@sabersin7694]

Nah you're just gay. Not liking sex is not a sexual orientation.

[@sabersin7694]

@@henrique.2975 No they're just gay and discovered asexual like it's a new identity. It's just a word used mostly by straight people who wanna feel special with themselves. You're not lgbt just because you don't feel like screwing someone when you look at them.

[@claytonallen5428]

@@sabersin7694 if you say so

[@moimeme6533]

love that boppy music intro lol xD

[@BigTBad]

We learned the term " musical " from Rock Hudson's book.

[@onthebeachinsitges]

It would be nice to have more about life for homosexual men outside the west end of London

[@TheIceyeddy]

Great documentary, very interesting and informative 👍