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

[@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.

[@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

[@rabbit64sj91]

Great documentary! I was seventeen when it first aired, now I'm 56. I came out as a gay man in 1984, it was a very difficult and challenging experience for me, but well worth it in the end. I 'arrived' on the London gay scene in early 1985. I found it all very exciting, but equally quite scary, mainly due to society's attitudes back then. The Aids crisis didn't help either, needless to say. My parents weren't very happy about me being gay, but I wanted to be totally true to myself and enjoy my life. I found some love along the way too, most happily, although I'm now a single man. I never dismiss the idea of finding a loving partner once more. I am pleased with the choices I've made with my life. Nothing ventured, nothing gained......... 💞☺

[@Aussiemarco]

I’m two years older than you, but I could have written your comment. I came out to my parents in 1987 after my first boyfriend dumped me and my world came crashing down. Mum was ok, but dad reacted badly. Right up to the day he passed away in 2003, he refused to talk about it.

[@lancalad1]

I arrived on the London Gay scene at about the same time as you. I agree that it was exciting and scary. It was good to be away from the conservative views of my parents and to explore my sexuality. I met some lovely guys in London but I met my one true love in the North. I hope you find a loving partner again.

[@rabbit64sj91]

@@lancalad1 thank you for sharing your story with me. Kind of you to wish me luck in my quest for love. All the best to you also.

[@rabbit64sj91]

@@Aussiemarco I hope your life is happier now? That's a shame about your Dad. My parents are really good about it now, thank goodness. All the best to you.

[@johnoakes4143]

Rabbit64 SJ well my story, I was in a relationship with my late partner for over 20yrs and we were activists for equality etc. unfortunately Chris passed with cancer 22 yrs ago. I thought that was the end for me to have a loving relationship again. Wow some months ago my first love contacted me after 63yrs no contact? The result I am at 78yrs old engaged to be married. Never thought that would happen.

[@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

[@duhhhck8408]

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

[@spartan_jackttv1867]

It's crazy looking back at an 80s documentary looking back at the 30s 😂 SOOOOOOOOO much crazy change since both of these time periods!

[@annemiller3530]

I was in my 20s in the 80s and you are spot on about the great leap forward from then to now.

[@mikerozon4770]

Ur cute

[@were-all-human9427]

apologies for stalking your insta., love your love of our history.... then the 2 yr post A little Motivation, made me smile. Loving the family posts too... just watched No Hard Feelings and Just Friends, and loved that Gods Own Country was filmed just down the road - so many great feel good movies coming out... we have moved forward... mostly.

[@jerzbouy1]

And just think, we are lucky enough of be able to "record" all this for prosperity.

[@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?

[@idaslpdhr]

I'm 65 and luckily met my spouse 45 years ago and are still SO , we lost a lot of friends in the 80's, knew a lot of the places in this episode, Much love to all my SO friends

[@damstay]

Thank you for being so true & strong

[@andreapierce976]

I spotted the Gay's the Word sign during the march. Do you know if that is the bookshop in London?

[@riv6580]

SO???

[@damstay]

@@riv6580 I thought it stood for "Significant Others" but rereading it doesnt make sense at the end! So I want to know too now 🤣

[@simongill4715]

I was a teenager in the 80s , and a lot of my friends didn’t even make it to 25.

[@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 .....😂😂😂

[@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!

[@alanblissett9834]

The first time i came out i was working in the car factory in oxford ,a group of about 10 of us was having lunch a guy that had a reputation of being gay walked bye one of the guys said i could tell he was walking past i can smell a shirt lifter a mile of ,i said to him is that so well I’ve been sitting bye you for 3 years and you never smelt me

[@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.

[@annemiller3530]

This video told me a lot about my grandfather's life. He was born in 1918 and I was born in the early sixties. He would have gone through the invisibility of the thirties then, for about 20 years, the "invert" and "pervert" thing. Unfortunately, he died before Stonewall and 1978 in Sydney but he didn't have to live w the fear of aids. I miss him more every year and l miss his partner too. They were both good men.

[@javicaballero99]

Thankyou for sharing, it is a lovely story. When did he die?

[@michaelgaynor6866]

Anne Miller,Beautiful story!

[@GlasPthalocyanine]

My grandfather, too. He would have been older than your Grandfather, born in the 1890s. I only have one memory of him and he was deeply unhappy. I was at that age where I was too little to hold hands so I just held his finger. He was trembling and looked like he'd been crying. My mum told me, years later, that he'd recently had ECT. After years in psychiatric hospitals he eventually took his own life in 1965. Homosexuality had been decriminalized but it seemed too late to bring him any kind of peace. He hated people who were openly gay. I think because he'd lived so many years with the daily terror of being found out.

[@hewi1352]

Thanks for your story. I am gay and was young in the 80´s. AIDS was really a living nightmare. I thank God for that it is over now.

[@NenUserD8xedYou]

who cares bozo cry

[@jackiedorman2188]

My brother in law died from aids. We were with him all night and day for three days as he lay in bed dieing. It was horrible. Hope people use protection. I never want to go through that ever again. Miss him

[@andyandthedevil]

I’m sorry to hear that 💔

[@craftykez]

I'm so sorry to hear that. May he rest in peace.

[@busterhoodstar4447]

Someone went off topic.

[@carol-mn5tx]

omg im so sorry. there are no words to help the pain

[@mattmoney6654]

I’m sorry

[@jameswalsh477]

An amazing look in to the 1930s gay scene and the fact is it from a 1981 perspective made it all the more fascinating. Thank you for posting it.

[@PhilAlumb]

Remembering...when television was slower, more honest and people seemed Real.

[@michaeltnewyorknights8413]

Absolutely!

[@BruceDanton-xw6eg]

You are so right there too.

[@stevendaniel5649]

Thank you for this intelligent work. I'm 70; been gay all my life; never been happier. Thank you!

[@a.s1783]

Hi. Are you in the UK ? How did you come out and if so how did you feel ?

[@katherinea.williams3044]

A . S As the mother of a gay child (she’s 20- time flies), I understand your desire to know more, especially in the UK. But I do hope you know you’re asking extremely sensitive questions. I’m not sure you’d pose it to a heterosexual, but it’s quite sensitive and I’m not sure many are willing to go down a potentially harmful, traumatic and quite personal memory lane. I’m sure you can find out this info if you politely ask a trusted friend. Love & Light from Miami✨✌🏼 Stay safe everyone🌎 Katherine

[@susanbannister6270]

Hard to ever find loyal partner...the wish is still present in my 70s.

[@dewilew2137]

Susan Bannister very true for all ages and sexual orientations, unfortunately. 😔

[@katherinea.williams3044]

Dewi Lew Got that right. But I think if we’re lucky to have experienced a great love in life, I’d say we’re lucky. Some NEVER experience a love like that. I feel really bad for those who haven’t.

[@mikesimpson5383]

I haven' t read all the comments, so I don't know if this has already been mentioned, but to those who enjoyed this, there is a brilliant UK TV series called "It's Not Unusual" on the subject of being gay in the past, which covers a longer time period, is in 3 parts, and is very interesting! Love the comments about us Brits and documentaries! Thanks Guys :-)

[@ABC_DEF]

It's on KZbin. Thanks.

[@were-all-human9427]

the BBC drama The man in the Orange Shirt, in 2 parts, is excellent (on YT too)

[@Topmember]

As in the song lyric ‘It’s not unusual to be loved by anyone’?[

[@thescranline]

I'm 34, I discovered I was musical about 8 years ago. I've been with my partner who is also coincidentally musical for 2 years and we're getting musical in November.

[@ShawnLuther]

The Scran Line: This made me laugh. 😏 ❤️

[@andyandthedevil]

Congratz!

[@dewilew2137]

Congratulations!!! God bless your musical Union! ♥️

[@ChristinaWoodall]

Congrats!!! 🎵🎶🎵🎶

[@benlucas3625]

I guess you both like blowing each other's horn and flute and will be taking music lessons up the wazu! ;)

[@ovalroom2]

I came to London in 1970 and came out the same year and have had a FUBULOSO time never bothered me what people said or thought...after all it's my life!!

[@craigg5410]

This is an absolute GEM to find on KZbin. I'm loving every minute!

[@sushimsyncopiously4087]

😈

[@peterthepersonalstylist]

I'm naming you Gilda and I'll be Doris, dear. I'm popping out to make a few Bob whilst getting musical with the sailors 😉

[@garylynch5996]

Times have certainly changed. A very interesting video to watch

[@wilfordfraser6347]

Thanks Andy! These guys are voices from a lost generation, may they RIP

[@Luboman411]

I was born 2 to 3 years after this show was televised. It's crazy to see that gay life in London centered on Shaftesbury Street almost 100 years ago. I lived in London for a year in 2009-2010, and I remember walking down Shaftesbury Street--all the gay places were in that general area and Old Compton Street. Of course, coming from NYC, this was old hat and quite a small "gayborhood" in comparison to what I was used to in Manhattan. I also love that they used terms like "musical" and "so" as euphemisms for gay. Fascinating.

[@annemiller3530]

Luboman, in Australia in tje 80s it was still "a friend of Dorothy's though that was on its way out.

[@Bouncybon]

Shaftesbury Avenue, (not Street).

[@Luboman411]

@@Bouncybon Oh, yeah, Shaftesbury Avenue. LOL.

[@IDA-nh1sh]

I feel so weird watching a documentary released in the 80s about the 30s, especially as somebody that was born in the early 2000s..., it's just crazy and interesting to see how much stuff has changed over the last decades...

[@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

[@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."

[@sammysoppy3361]

I am assuming these older men are long gone now but I wish they were still alive to see how society has moved forward

[@nigelaw8814]

has it? We should be on guard against regression. Gay people are still being persecuted in many countries, and the rightwing backlash in the US, UK and elsewhere is ominous. Unfortunately history does not automatically progress forward. After the openness of 1920s Berlin, gays were murdered in Nazi concentration camps. It could happen again, under Trump or Putin or.....

[@kintverity1270]

They are long gone now. This was filmed in the 70s.

[@clemsonbloke]

@@kintverity1270 Actually it was filmed 1980-1981.

[@Jocular64]

@@clemsonbloke does a few years make any difference? Kint's point still holds true. it's been 40 long years.

[@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.

[@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

[@aodhganmerrimac]

Imagine this on American network television in the 80s!!! The UK was way ahead of the US!

[@VIKINGOCATIRE]

Totally!

[@kc1973able]

Yes. Yes we are !

[@gregoryedward6079]

England and Wales legalized homosexuality in 1967. Scotland 1981. N Ireland 1982. Yeah, so much for way ahead ...

[@domenicodiniro413]

We were and still are.

[@VIKINGOCATIRE]

I should move to Britain or Australia. It's ridiculous over here in the USA. The republican party doing everything to suppress people's rights. Even voting rights they come up with laws to prevent mail in ballots or the "gerrymandering" redrawing of the districts . Literally legal illegalities

[@kevinconners2283]

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

[@aprilapril2]

@Melenor Duranee some were married

[@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.

[@afwalker1921]

1981! This was released the year the HIV/AIDS pandemic surfaced, and I don't think it's mentioned in the film. What a heart-crushing artifact! Thank you for the opportunity to see this. I would never have encountered it elsewhere!

[@ABC_DEF]

No one in Britain had heard of it in 1981.

[@afwalker1921]

@@ABC_DEF And people had been dying of it for years! I graduated high school in 1981, so my adult life began with that pandemic, only I'm not gay and wasn't at high risk for my behavior. I remember the hetero panic of that period, how people then feared a crossover into the mainstream that would kill more generally. I had gay friends in school. ALL are now dead. Yes, that's right! All of them...

[@ABC_DEF]

@@afwalker1921 I went to university in 1983 (in the UK). When we arrived, we were given a booklet about contraception and sexual health. At the back there was a reference to AIDS. It said that it was a new disease, that its means of transmission was unknown and that it affected promiscuous homosexual men and heroin users. It said that it was possibly spread by an as yet unidentified virus. I had never heard of it. It wasn't big in the news until some years later. The first public information campaign about it took place in 1987.

[@yettobseen]

Two things... one gentleman stated that “we all know we’re born gay”. The second the last man says “it was liberating to finally no have to pretend or ack like there’s a girlfriend somewhere”. Two things that to this day you’ll still hear people saying. Amazing

[@texas1949]

yettobseen Indeed...

[@keithnewton8981]

Its heart breaking to still hear that people have to pretend to have hetrosexual relationship. It time to realise that your sexuality is not a choice. We are born who we are. Be that homosexual hetrosexual bisexual and transgender. (Gender displaced) Tall those out there who think sexuality is so clear cut open your minds a bit because there a whole load of grey area out there. Where men and women can enjoy sexual encounter with same and opposite sex without being labed in on group. I see myself a homosexual but that would stop me from having sex with the right person of the opposite sex.

[@yettobseen]

Keith Newton ain’t it the truth Keith. No one knows it better than us that are gay. If you’re of a certain age as me 58 in my school yrs I tried to pretend and even had sex with girls. But that very act is what solidified that I was gay. So having tried pie and cake both I’m definitely a cake man. Fortunately I do see younger men being more flexible with sexuality, women also. Which is a beautiful thing.

[@mickeymouse2able]

oh my God! So true!

[@darrenriffa1]

so true..

[@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 :-)

[@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

[@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

[@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 ;-) )

[@caseyhoffman228]

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

[@theoriginldw]

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

[@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.

[@cindikachnic2068]

Very good documentary! It seems as though the U.K. has always been more forward thinking than the U.S. This would never have played here in the 80’s

[@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.

[@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,

[@ianmansbridge3646]

Good God, saw myself under the Birmingham banner on the march with old friends bless them. Very sad not to be part of it any more, exciting times!

[@cristyluv1205]

You were in this video???

[@jehuman5433]

​@@cristyluv1205 Millennials would be shocked to know MANY of us from the Early 80's are STILL ALIVE & talking with you, Kicking & Tweeting & everything! Posting comments with videos from OUR 20's ERA. You will too VERY SOON. Doesn't mean we are DEAD. Just Technology went forward SUPER FAST in our life-time, from grainy to digital clear. I'm sure Ian meant the Gay Marches portion which were BIG DEALS in the 80's. The 80's were GOOD TIMES! "70;s too! When places like NYC, was BOOMING with SEXUAL REVOLUTION EVERWHERE! Not like Conservative Post Guiliani 90's. The 60's 70's & 80's were SUPER TRANSITIONAL. Millennials missed A LOT! :) being born too late! I'll bet IAN is just AMAZED (as I am) at how FAST time passes!

[@ianmansbridge3646]

@stromada1 I was the young, handsome and cheeky little one! Now I'm 71 and grieving for my dead lover of forty years. Time takes all away, make those memories now. I regret starting late, could have done with another century of that relationship.

[@ianmansbridge3646]

@stromada1 I was the young, handsome and cheeky little one!

[@monizdm]

One of the more interesting lines, discussing a scandal involving the seduction of servicemen. "The boys are in the forces, and underage." Young enough to die, but not much else.

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@bluehouse6480]

Being your authentic self is more than beautiful... it's amazing! It is self-evident that you deserve to be who you truely are and if thats Gay, then I support that identity in you! Great Documentary!

[@bunkyman8097]

I cannot imagine not being able to live your truth. As soon as I lived mine, the world opened up!

[@pingleresearch]

Worth watching for the 1970's London scenes alone! Even though it is discussing what was then historic, it has become a museum piece in itself! Brilliant.

[@pablobendixiii5536]

Straight guy here but fascinated by the history of gay culture.

[@robertdexter5342]

Oh bless him! Talking in my language. Old queens, sisters 👯‍♀️ I did soho 1984 -97. Exhausting lifestyle. Retired old bugger now. Happy with my cat 🐱

[@frogface3975]

maybe we hooked up in the cottage, ya never know

[@robertdexter5342]

Maybe we DID! Lol 😝

[@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.

[@aero68]

Loved it! I am “musical” from now on 🦄

[@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.

[@euanelliott3613]

PEACE, LOVE & EQUALITY.

[@markhpluygers2226]

Certainly brings back memories, although I was a young teenager in the 70’s. No one corrupted me (I wish) when I was young, nothing happened at all, I was simply not the same as any of my mates. It wasn’t easy, but ‘glad to be gay’ was my bright yellow badge then. For me then and now (I’m in my 60’s), you can’t choose the colour of your eyes, you can’t choose your sexuality, it’s natural. It’s amazing for many how rediculous it is to fight for what is simply, normal, part of nature, as it is. Did you ever ask why the wind blows in a certain direction. Getting old, Covid brings more changes, I strug my shoulders. Yup, I was one of the guys on that Ford Transit singing “we want to be free” Free from opinion. There is no doubt we are as much part of nature as the wind…………, if life could be so simple. Concepts are humanly created, truth is different. I hope our young gay generation enjoy more freedom for something that should never even get a mention, accept, oh, the’s gay or she is straight. That’s enough. Blue Eyes!. What’s the big deal. No gays?, it would be a very very grey world!

[@Geminicricketi]

How is it a normal part of nature want to relationship does not produce fruit a.k.a. children

[@paulmaloney2383]

Quintin Crisp once said about gay acceptance, - don't seek to become like your opponents, persistence is your greatest weapon. stay where you are, don't change , let society change and form around you . I find it amazing how society was so preoccupied with whether two consenting adults liked their sex either standing or sitting down.

[@louisgonzalez8846]

It means that Society wasnt getting any!!! Thats why all the curiosity!!

[@OneAdam12Adam]

Putinistan or Ruzzia along with the cesspools of Sharia law are still obsessed with the lives of two consenting adults. Hell, the United States Supreme Court proved what a useless group of fascists they are! We need to call this out!

[@annieseaside]

I’m only a bit in to this film, but thought I’d share something as an American. My Grandaddy born in 1900 was gay. However, you simply had to marry. He was attending Harvard from 1918-1922 and in 1920 there was a Secret Purge as he described it. A guy had attended a party where by the morning he realized he had had Immoral relations and committed suicide! Harvard could sweep nearly anything under the rug, but not a dead student. So certain Professors and a handful of students were quietly interrogated and dismissed. The thing was, the parties had secretly gone on since Ancient Greek & Roman times, a point one would have been at least vaguely aware of at Ivy Universities... as they taught Latin & Greek as well as Ancient History. Nor did parties cease afterwards, although the speakeasy did assist in screening who was chill enough to handle whatever they might see. My Granddaddy became Curator of Paintings at the Art Institute of Chicago for decades. The position required him to travel all over Europe shopping to build the collection. London, Paris, Berlin and Morocco all had an underground gay scene. In his correspondence he did use the word Gay and did not refer to any lovers or likeminded men by female names. Instead, in the unusual occasion I overheard a person ask about Formal dinner seating arrangements, the women would remark “Oh, Mr. Jones is “a Confirmed Bachelor”, no point putting him next to so and so. Chicago had a lively entertainment scene and was the only place being gay was not illegal to be gay. 1969 is when America decriminalized it. My grandmother passed in 1967 and Grandaddy came out in 1969 to zero fanfare. Everyone knew. It’s not as if he made an announcement, he simply started dating men. Now we are WASP’s, New Englanders, Yankees, so we are not really great about talking about anything private, mildly awkward, certainly nothing scandalous. So that was only my very small, entirely subjective experience of how to live as a clearly gay, but married husband and father. Other families, States, Countries probably had very different norms. I would also mention that they had a home in Manhattan and in London too and were always attending Broadway and West End Plays. It was glaringly obvious people in nearly all positions relating to putting on a play or dancing or designing the Ballet, were at least Bi and I never recall a soul so much as whispering about it. Again, it appeared everyone knew flamboyant or creative or unique people and held them in high esteem if talent warranted. I never heard any slurs. I hope that the rest of this film will be uplifting and that hatred was not rife across either of our countries. I subsequebtly had 2 gay 1st cousins, came out in the late 70’s, many gay guy friends instantly disowned by Catholic parebts which was devastating. I disco danced at gay bars but I never heard them call each other women’s names, dress in women’s clothing or refer to each other as Sister. My son is 21 and Bi, A niece on each side are Bi. Again, to date I’ve not heard any slang to speak of. As they have discussed it with me, they fall in love with a persons’s heart, mind and spirit. The contents of the jeans is irrelevant. Perhaps this is early days of the way the world will one day work in Industrialized nations. Love who you love.

[@louisgonzalez8846]

You were lucky you were born in a nice circle of civilized relatives and upper class, but most people do not hv that luck!!

[@OneAdam12Adam]

We have to stay for 😅 forever vigilant and not allow ourselves to be oppressed again.

[@dennischallinor8497]

The longer I'm on this earth the more and more I see the value in the expression "what business is it of yours" when it comes to all human relationships, not just gay people. We've evolved into a society that seems to think everyone has the right' to know all your private business. To that, I say: "Buggar you mate!!!"

[@beparr3081]

On the other hand, it's also gotten to the point where everyone has to "announce" their sexuality, relationships, even now their ''new" gender to the world. I agree, it's nobody's business and wish everyone would just shut up - live and let live. But it's become a narcissistic culture where people think their lives are so important to others.

[@dennischallinor8497]

@@beparr3081 I couldn't agree more, it's a big red balloon I've never wanted to display. Only to those that are interested! 🤭

[@Trapper4265]

I'm 58 years old, and I'm still learning to tolerate being gay. It's a daily conscious decision. I'm still not interested in drag shows or parades. That said, I'm very happy with my life.

[@robkunkel8833]

What a wake up. Late in life, I’ve just been feeling as if I’m somewhere in between and I can be defined as “bi’. Now, bi may be normal? How perfectly insane. A very nice documentary. Thank you British t.v. 🌺❤️

[@andyandthedevil]

I personally think most people in this world are somewhere on the bisexual spectrum. So yes, your feelings are absolutely valid! I wish you to live happily knowing who you love 🧡

[@lohphat]

Being “bi” means you’re attracted to the person for who they are, not what they have between their legs.

[@Bigtittypatthicc]

lohphat that’s pansexuality. But most ppl don’t have attraction to people’s genitals. Bi ppl may have preferences in terms of gender. but pansexual people don’t have preferences.

[@jennifermckinney5053]

@@Bigtittypatthicc Nah, there's straight, bi and gay if any terms at all, I don't judge people on being bi and assume to know why they're bi, that's their business, all these extended terms are just to make people feel special and separate/divide even more. People aren't defined by their sexuality and if I have to categorize it for gods knows what reason I'm not gonna do it in fifty different ways because I need to know EXACTLY why they're the way they are, if I did I'd let them explain it to me, in a far better way one word ever could.

[@williamswishingwellies]

I'm gay and not remotely on the "bisexual spectrum". I don't need anyone pushing the "woke" version of homophobia on me. Thanks.

[@flori5548]

I came out last year at age 30 without ever having been to a gay bar / club, as I do not identify with the „scene“ at all (don’t mind it either, it’s just not my style). However I fully realize that it is only thanks to men like them / the scene that I was able to do it without a big story / fuzz about it. Found the love of my life, told my friends and family and they ALL were like „Okay. Nice. What’s for dinner?“ No change in behavior / friendship towards me later on either…very, very glad to live in Europe nowadays, or my life would’ve been very different. If I was 18 today, I’d come out earlier.

[@jamellfoster6029]

Bravo to you all for this amazing documentary. I am a straight lady who has many gay friends and family members. Thanks to these people for paving the way for modern LGBTQ people. People are people and we should love each other regardless.

[@echt114]

It's strange how malleable people can be about something so hard-wired and powerful within themselves. Much of the way these 30s guys perceived themselves seemed to be driven by the crazy irrational views of the dominant culture toward same-sex attraction. These rigid beliefs that didn't recognize the realities and naturalness of attraction led gay people to perceive themselves inaccurately. If you're to have an honest culture and society about this, you have to have an absolute understanding growing up that, for example, some boys find girls attractive and some boys find boys attractive - and that neither is any less of a boy because of it. I wonder how much of the scene and mindset was London-centric and how other locations in the west compared at the time.

[@jamiewatson9027]

In the interwar years of the 1920s and 1930s venues developed in a number of cities outside London, including Brighton, Cambridge, Dover, Norwich and a number of others. It seems to be the point where an organised scene develops outside the capital, broadly following the model provided by the capital.

[@echt114]

@Melenor Duranee It's unclear what you mean about "what society pushes upon us now about this very topic."

[@andrewwesley1946]

Interesting observation! But I suppose I would be naive to underestimate how strongly cultural norms and values can influence our thinking and behaving, as well as the influence of historical time and place upon our own individual development. The intersection of these processes is fascinating.

[@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.)

[@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...

[@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

[@erichodge567]

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

[@colbyandbrennen3543]

It makes me so sad what people had to endure in the past because of prejudice. These people's stories are invaluable.

[@OneAdam12Adam]

It's unfortunate that people still oppress other folks still today.

[@sage4nowty129]

This is an interesting view of the 1930s gay scene, but it makes you think that all gay men were effeminate. And that is not the case. There are masculine gay men today, and there were masculine gay men in the 1930's.

[@rah62]

No, they weren't all effeminate - they're just British. It's often hard to tell the two apart.

[@echt114]

They seem like Prince Charles to me. As for the effeminate thing, most of what's called that is a sociolect and acquired behavior through subculture. Most of what is called "masculine" or "feminine" (especially in American gender norms) are exaggerated posturings. I long for the day when gay guys abandon all of that nonsense and just be their natural selves, uncorrupted by both subculture and the dominant culture. It's also far more attractive.

[@Stevecamden]

echt114 I think there are already a lot of men out there who prefer same sex/loving relationships who don’t even identify as gay

[@dariusanderton3760]

the masculine acting gay guys were more likely to end up getting married and raising families

[@annieseaside]

British Navy based on Brandy & Buggery for a thousand years! Bwahahahaha Hey, A mouth is a mouth. A hand is a hand. Everyone likes a snuggle in a freezing storm!

[@Adele.N]

Just think gays are getting married now. I’m glad there is a bit more equality.

[@techweenie1]

are they though?

[@bob23301]

A documentary made in the 80s, about life in the 30s that we are watching in the 20s.

[@m4al]

I am so thankful to those who came before me and had to endure so much to get us to what we have today. even if many of them did not get the chance to see it.

[@brianrjclarke]

I really wish there were more young people like you who felt that way. Many have no idea or interest in how much of a struggle it was.

[@MorganHayes_Composer.Pianist]

packs a real punch in its 35 mins. Brilliant documentary.

[@JohnWest507]

Thank you for this priceless gem!

[@paecpc]

I love the old British way of speaking, sound musical , and they were way ahead of time discussing homosexual topics, but wish they had not implemented the penal code 377A in my country.

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

This is wonderful. Thank you for sharing it!

[@districtline]

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

[@BruceDanton-xw6eg]

It does too.

[@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?

[@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?

[@knockshinnoch1950]

WOW! This is a fascinating time capsule that captures on film the experiences of older gay men in the 1930s and the prevailing views of 1981. Mindblowing to think that almost as much time has past between 1981 and 2021 as between the 1930s and 81! The younger gay men featured are now in their 60s, 70s! Attitudes and society has changed dramatically since 1981 and the world has been transformed. It all seemed so quaint and the pink triangle- a gay symbol- has almost disappeared from Gay culture.

[@emmaathome2902]

I remember going to the Lyons corner house quite a few times when I was a child. I found it fascinating and felt very posh sitting at the table having afternoon tea.

[@gene978]

Born in the US North East 1962 I knew I liked boys at age 6 and 7. I would pray every beginning of the new school year to start finding girls attractive. I didn’t know what a Gay man was until I seen a Gay Magazine next to a Hustler Magazine. And I put 2 and 2 together for the first time in 18 years. I went back to buy one for myself when I got brave enough to return. A guy my age was buying the magazine and my heart was pounding so fast just because I seen a young man like me. I followed him in my new car as he was walking and I yelled out to him saying I wanted to just talk and he was scared off. Back in 1980 I can see why.

[@msbrowngault]

How at age 6? Puberty hasn't even set in. Age 6 with an attraction to any sex is baffling to me, j/s

[@frogface3975]

gene. that happened to me in england, i was the guy followed by the guy in a car, mid80's i did give him a bj even tho he wasnt my type lol

[@fernandomazzini4326]

I loved the documental. Thank You friend!

[@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'

[@alansussex7867]

The reason we had camp names and referred to each other as she was derived because if one was out in public near (normal) people and you kept saying he did this and I met him there they would eventually realise you were gay but if you said she they hopefully would think oh they have girlfriends. They must be just a theatrical.

[@echt114]

@alan ashwell: This does make a lot of sense. It sounds rather self-hating from today's perspective but it had to be an effect of what they faced at the time.

[@Thomas-fu8vp]

@@echt114 most certainly it was difficult, especially if one had been raised in a religious home-as most were.

[@NewEyes25]

I finally understand. Thank you I always wondered

[@elsakristina2689]

And would lesbians do the reverse of it?

[@thecommonsensecapricorn]

hahah i loved this. the way old british people sound is so charming and fun. this man is so youthful and uplifting

[@Magisvelim]

I've also just realized I was musical -- and this is my new favorite term

[@keithnewton8981]

This notion that the working class the poorly educated where influenced by the red tops is as today in some cases true, it still amazes me how the general populous are so easy controlled by the press. I was brought up by grand parents and teachers who told me to never believe the press or govt do my own research into every subject. Because you never get to truth from these sources. Even today i find it so hard to understand why people are lead so easily. My grand parents where pro homosexual, they had many friends and would protect gay people. They dislike the comedy portrayal of gay men.

[@bluedragon4]

It's crazy that the 1930's were almost 100 years ago now. Even 1980, when this came out, is so long ago. To know AIDS was around the corner for them is chilling.

[@grambi]

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

[@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..

[@GeorgeRellas]

Sad that the polite gay world of old is gone forever.

[@ohno1706]

A real tragedy. Such a great culture.

[@homosapien.a6364]

I'm gay and polite 🙂

[@cosysleepsounds4009]

It is as gone as you choose to make it :)

[@terry4137]

Yes, I lived next door to two gay older gentlemen, they were not from the 30’s perhaps, 50’s! They hated the gay parades, and ridiculous display of the gay bs! They were quiet, well mannered and as I got to know them they were funI miss them!

[@allenrobinson6181]

They're not going forever they left their legacy and their love and we are carrying it on

[@ThatAllatOnceBish]

When I came out, my grandfather said to my mum, don’t worry about it, in my day every family had one and we didn’t know one family who didn’t have one. And I to this day don’t know weather to take that as a blessing or am insult 😂

[@ABC_DEF]

It was a nice thing to say. Your grandfather meant that being gay was a normal thing and not something that your mother should get upset about.

[@Steviepics]

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

[@alicesings1971]

Longtime Companion is one of my favorite films. I end up in tears watching the last scene where all who passed come back to the beach giving hugs. I wish that could happen in real life. 😢

[@sandranorman5469]

😢😢

[@bunkyman8097]

That scene always makes me cry. Sooo many of my friends are gone. Perhaps in the next life we will hug on the beach...