London

Mark Ashton

A confident and natural-born leader, Mark is the inspiration behind Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM). Upon perceiving similarities between the struggles facing the miners on strike over pit closures and the struggles of his gay community, he formulates a plan to unite the causes. Bright and intelligent, both sides look to him for direction at times. He is motivational, which enables him to raise the group from an idea to organising and generating a benefit concert, however he seems driven by his activist role, a passion which comes at the expense of his close relationships. Dai senses this and warns Mark to leave some fight for home, to save some energy for those important. This proves true as, after the vote to exclude LGSM as a mining support group, Mark turns on Mike and Joe. Plagued by the growing community transmission of HIV and his awareness around the brevity of life, Mark’s internal struggles belie his outward calm. He eventually returns to apologise to the group and leads them in the London march.

Mark Ashton Quotes

‘Now these mining communities are being bullied. Just like we are. Bullied by the police. Bullied by the tabloids. Bullied by the government.’ (Mark) Scene 4

‘This is a gay and lesbian group and we are unapologetic about that.’ (Mark) Scene 5

‘…I’m a member of LGSM and I’m going to do what I set out to do. No hiding, no running away, no apologies.’ (Mark) Scene 10

‘I grew up in Northern Ireland. I know all about what happens when people don’t talk to each other. That’s why I’ve never understood, what’s the point of supporting gay rights but nobody else’s rights, you know?’ (Mark to Dai) Scene 10

‘Don’t give it all to the fight. Save some for home. There’s more to life, you know.’ (Dai to Mark) Scene 16

Joe Cooper

Joe, often called ‘Bromley’, after his admission to living in Bromley, one of the more expensive places to live in London, turns twenty at the start of the film. His birthday present to himself is a trip to a gay pride march where he intends to simply observe the day as he has not yet publicly declared his orientation. Unintentionally, he joins the march after dodging some debris thrown in his direction. Here he meets Mike and is quickly integrated into a small group of the London gay community, based in a bookshop. His life with the LGSM group is a secret and he hides the clippings in a book in his room. The book emblematises his own life of secrets as, eventually, his mother discovers the book and lays out the pictures and clippings of his gay life. Distant from his father and misunderstood by his mother, Joe finally takes a stand and is seen walking proudly at the front of the parade in London.

Joe Cooper Quotes

‘It’s just I don’t really want to be too visible.’ (Joe) Scene 3

‘I’ve never met a lesbian before.’ (Joe to Steph) Scene 4

‘It’s also illegal, darling. Sixteen for breeders. Twenty-one for gays. Did you learn nothing on that march? You’re still a minor.’ (Steph to Joe) Scene 4

‘I hope you appreciate him. Because there’s a whole village back in Wales who thinks he’s a hero.’ (Sian to Joe’s mother) Scene 18

Mike Jackson

Mike is an unassuming but loyal friend to Mark. He is actively involved in the LGSM group, manning the phones and collecting money in buckets. Hard-working and practical, he is a support to Mark’s visionary nature, ensuring the leader’s ideas become a reality. Although Mark turns on him in a moment of anguish, challenging his ability to have original ideas of his own, Mike is willing to forgive Mark when he returns to the group. Mike is shown as integral in the first and last march of the film, revealing his consistent nature.

Gethin Roberts

Welsh-born Gethin is the owner of the bookstore. He is a quiet and devoted friend to the group, and partner to Jonathon. His solemn nature is a counterbalance to Jonathon’s flamboyance. Even after he is bashed, he expresses his concern for Jonathon who has been diagnosed with HIV. Gethin overcomes his past when he becomes involved with the group, having been treated harshly in the Welsh town where he grew up, and is estranged from his mother. Through the alliance formed between the miners and LGSM, Gethin gains an opportunity to experience acceptance in the a small mining town and reconcile with his mother.

Gethin Roberts Quotes

‘Well, let’s just say there isn’t always a welcome in the hillsides.’ (Gethin) Scene 5

‘I’m in Wales. And I don’t have to pretend to be something that I’m not.’ (Gethin) Scene 11

‘I know those bastards kicked the shit out of me every morning on my way to school. And every night on my way home.’ (Gethin, about his treatment from miners) Scene 4

Jonathon Blake

First impressions of Jonathon in a dress and fur dancing in the street quickly reveal the character’s nature. He is fun-loving and exuberant, and never more at home than when he is dancing. His lust for life inspires some of the men in the mining town to ask for dance lessons, bridging the gap between the communities. He is a veteran of the campaign for gay rights and Mark occasionally seeks his input when explaining the cause to others. He is reluctant to join the cause at first, seemingly exhausted or jaded by the constant fight, but is impressed by Dai’s visit to the gay club and quickly becomes an energetic member of the team.

Jonathon Blake Quotes

‘That’s the same whether you’re standing on a picket line or trolling down Clapham High Street in full drag.’ (Jonathan explains to the committee the limits to police powers) Scene 10

‘Back then, when we knew even less about this thing they gave out numbers with each diagnosis. One, two, three and so on. Of course, once they started getting into the
high thousands … I’m number two.’ (Jonathan to Sian, about his HIV diagnosis) Scene 18

Steph Chambers

The sole woman in the original LGSM group, Steph is a valued member of the group but often appears alone. She is comfortable in her identity but caught in the middle when lesbians who join the group later wish to start their own female-only version. She is welcoming to Joe when he appears at the party and seems like a fish out of water. She is caring and considerate keeping an eye on Joe after this and later taking him in after he leaves his parent’s home. Their friendship is evident as they hold hands and joke that ‘if they were normal this is when they would kiss’.

Steph Chambers Quotes

‘I’ve never met a lesbian before.’ (Joe to Steph) Scene 4

‘Every women is a lesbian at heart.’ (Steph, Zoe and Stella) Scene 9

‘You girls have opened my eyes.’ (Gwen to Steph) Scene 16

Stella and Zoe

Stella and Zoe join LGSM as they seem upset that there is only one lesbian representing the L in LGSM. They are a seen helping with collections and distributing goods to the miners. They attend the welfare hall and are befriended by Gwen, who maternalistically calls them ‘her lesbians’ when she attends the final march. Stella and Zoe expose that within groups individuals still have differences, and they eventually split to form Lesbians against Pit Closures.

Stella and Zoe Quotes

‘Every women is a lesbian at heart.’ (Steph, Zoe and Stella) Scene 9

‘… when are you going to address my question about a Women’s group?’ (Stella) Scene 11

Joe’s Mother, Marion Cooper

Presented as a stereotypical mother, often doing chores while her husband sits in a chair watching television, Marion seems ill-prepared for the revelation of her son’s sexual orientation. She flinches when her daughter suggests they have chosen not to include a bible reading at the christening, revealing her traditional mindset. Her resistance is not malicious but seen as misplaced and uninformed; she is concerned that her son has chosen a lonely life.

Marion Cooper Quotes

‘Just mind yourself on that last train. There’s weirdos and all sorts on there.’ (Joe’s mother, Marion) Scene 4

‘It’s such a terrible life, Joe. It’s lonely. Is that what you want? No family. Hiding from people at work. From everyone. Keeping secrets.’ (Marion, Joe’s mother) Scene 16

The Dulais Valley community

Dai Donovan

Dai is married to Margaret and is a union member from the Dulais Valley. He liaises with the LGSM group when they reach out to support his local mining town. Mistakenly thinking the L to stand for London, he is unaware that the group have been collecting from the lesbian and gay community and that they represent that community. He is unflustered when they reveal who they are, showing his own tolerant nature. He is willing to go to a gay club and gives a heartfelt message of thanks which inspires the community to continue support and join the LGSM cause. His kind nature is seen as he hosts the LGSM group in his house, correctly believing that, in time, as they mix, the miners and the LGSM group will warm up to each other. Dai is driven by his principle of solidarity and vows to help the gay community when he can, a promise he keeps by mobilising the mining communities to attend the pride march in London.

Dai Donovan Quotes

‘Truth told you’re the first gays I’ve ever met in my life.’
‘As far as you’re aware.’ (Dai and Mark) Scene 6

‘…because what you’ve given us is more than money, its friendship.’ (Dai, thank you speech at the gay bar) Scene 6

And when you’re in a fight as bitter and as important as this one, against an enemy, so much bigger, so much stronger than you – well. To find out that you have a friend you never knew existed – It’s the best thing in the world. (Dai, thank you speech at the gay bar) Scene 6

‘Everything will be alright once they start to mix.’ (Dai to his wife, Margaret) Scene 10

‘Can you see what we’ve done here? By coming together- all of us- by pledging our solidarity, our friendship – We’ve made history.’ (Dai, addressing the Pits and Perverts Benefits Balls) Scene 14

‘Don’t give it all to the fight. Save some for home. There’s more to life, you know.’ (Dai to Mark) Scene 16

Cliff Barry

Cliff is a stalwart of the mining community and the union secretary. He worked the mines and lost his brother to the pits. He is secretly gay but, when he reveals this to Hefina and she says she has known for many years, it appears it is not such a well kept secret. He is keen to support the alliance between the LGSM and the miners but when it is time for him to speak up at the vote meeting, he feels he falls short as the union members mock him and he is unable to make a forceful statement. His virtue is his kindness.

Cliff Barry Quotes

‘But without it, these villages are nothing, they’re finished.’ (Cliff, regarding mining) Scene 11

‘You think you’ve known someone your whole life. Turns out they’re a complete stranger.’ (Cliff to Maureen) Scene 16

‘You must have found it a bit weird. A load of gays and lesbians descending on you like that?’
‘Why on earth would we have found that weird?’ (TV reporter questioning Cliff at the parade) Scene 19

Hefina Headon and Gwen

Members of the women’s support group, these ladies are the heart and soul of the mining community. From the outset, the ladies tirelessly make, pack and distribute food for the striking miner’s families and welcome the support from LGSM unquestionably. Gwen, who answers the phone call from the LGSM, becomes the first to accept the group and quickly adopts some lesbians to care about, making them vegan snacks. Hefina is a strong leader in the mining community, who stands up to Maureen’s opposition to the alliance with the LGSM, and advocates for the LGSM in the community.

Hefina Headon and Gwen Quotes

‘But Hefina, she’s like the head honcho, absolutely terrifying, well, she obviously can’t stand this Maureen.’ (Sian) Scene 8

‘I see’. (Gwen) Scene 5

‘You girls have opened my eyes.’ (Gwen to Steph) Scene 16

‘Where are my lesbians?’ (Gwen as she arrives at the parade) Scene 19

Sian and Martin James

A married couple within the mining community, Sian and Martin, have two children. Initially, Sian volunteers to help pack food at the welfare hall and seems nervous to be working with the more established members of the community. Martin, who is aware of certain mentalities in small towns, hesitates when the LGSM group reach out. However, Sian takes the lead and challenges Martin not to be prejudiced, their children watching on with expectation to see how they will act. Martin is ultimately steadfast in his acceptance of the LGSM and miner’s alliance, hosting some of the group during their visits and even speaking forcibly at the vote meeting on their behalf. Sian and Martin’s welcoming example is seen as their children also form friendships with the visiting LGSM group. Sian continues to work with the group, supporting Joe as he comes out to his parents and visiting Gethin in hospital after he is beaten. These actions solidify her practical caring nature. Often seen in a stereotypical housewife role, her encouraging conversation with Jonathon will start her journey toward a political career.

Sian and Martin James Quotes

‘… I had you down as many things but prejudiced was never one of them.’ (Sian to her husband, Martin) Scene 8

‘I’m a wife and mother, love.’ (Sian to Jonathan) Scene 18

‘I hope you appreciate him. Because there’s a whole village back in Wales who thinks he’s a hero.’ (Sian to Joe’s mother) Scene 18

Carl Evans

Carl Evans and Lee Barry are locked up by police until Sian, who has just been informed by Jonathon about policing standards, argues that they are to be released. Upon their release, they attend the welfare hall where they learn that the key to their freedom was the intervention of the gay visitors. Lee is outraged but Carl shakes hands and symbolically buys Mark a pint. Although reluctant to go any further, when he is shamed by Hefina he becomes friends with the group. He sees that learning to dance will help him with the ladies and asks Jonathon to help. He is seen as a willing member of the alliance between the two communities, attending the benefit concert and walking in the final march. He is characteristic of someone who is willing to be openminded and grow as a person despite previously-held attitudes and surrounding resistance.

Maureen Barry

Maureen is a widow and Cliff’s sister-in-law. She is a strong member of the women’s support group but fractures from them when they accept support from the gay community in London. She staunchly disagrees with the alliance and refuses to mix with the LGSM when they visit. Seizing an opportunity, she betrays her community by reporting the support given to the community from LGSM to a newspaper. The betrayal is successful and the miners are shamed. They have a vote which Maureen manipulates by changing the time to exclude the other women, Dai and others who were in London. She claims the gay community has an agenda and reads from pamphlets to her children. Although one is provoked to violence, and storms the Welfare Hall looking for a fight, the other rises above Maureen’s propaganda to attend the march in London. Maureen is often pictured peering out from behind curtains rather than mixing with the group, as a means of educating herself.

Maureen Barry Quotes

‘I don’t have a problem with … what they are.’ (Maureen) Scene 7

‘It’s the men. You bring a load of gays into a working men’s club and you get trouble. I’m sorry.’ (Maureen) Scene 7

‘I’m sorry, not me. I’m concerned about AIDS.’ (Maureen, when Hefina states the committee needs to start hosting the LGSM group) Scene 10

‘You think you’ve known someone your whole life. Turns out they’re a complete stranger.’ (Cliff to Maureen) Scene 16