All other time is spent cuddling a rather small, cute Cocker Spaniel.
- Women bishops – why has it taken so long? - 19 November, 2014
- Pride – even in religion - 3 October, 2014
- Outing: Is it ever right? - 28 July, 2014
So I’m going to attempt to write this without any spoilers, but to be honest if you haven’t been to see the film Pride yet, then I’m frowning disapprovingly at you already.
I went to see it with a few friends, after hearing some pretty good write-ups. I have a heart of stone when it comes to films/TV, (the only exception being Long Lost Families, where I turn into a snotty, teary mess) so I was expecting to enjoy it, but not really to be moved in any way.
How wrong I was.
Coming together
To give you a brief outline: it’s a true tale of the mid-80s during the miners’ strike. A group within London’s LGBT+ community felt they knew what it was like to be targeted by the police in particular and therefore wanted to help. They started collecting money and sort out a way to donate.
Because they refused to deny who they were, as Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners they struggled to find an organisation to take the money. They ended up ringing round Welsh villages until one accepted. I’ll stop there before I do say too much, but basically it’s the journey of how a small Welsh mining village came to terms with a bunch of flamboyant gays supporting them.
Through the hilariously funny ‘laugh out loud’ moments, and also teary moments, I believe there’s an incredibly strong theme, that most of us that identify as LGBT+ can probably relate to: that of coming together to face adversity.
Changes in the Church
Being a Christian, with all rollercoaster rides that seems to bring at the moment, the part in the film where the Welsh villagers watch the gays get off their coach like they’ve just landed from another planet, is something I can understand. How they didn’t want to shake their hand, drink at the same bar as them, or even be in the same room, are all situations that still unfortunately happen today within my religion. But things are changing.
As the film goes on, you see people warm towards them, realise that actually they are no different to anyone else. You don’t need to lock up your daughters, or stand with your arse to the wall.
This is happening in the Church too – it’s happening slowly, but it is happening. The pure determination, belief and love portrayed within the film is something we as a community need to hold onto. Whether that be within a church, with your friends, family or workplace.
If Pride showed me anything, it was that we can change people’s misconceptions – it’ll hurt sometimes, but we can do it. We will do it.
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