Wednesday 28 February 2024, 12 - 1pm
Location: School of Digital Arts (SODA) at Manchester Metropolitan University
Event Type: In-person
Price: Free, please reserve a ticket
A chance to see footage of the 1988 Manchester protest against Section 28, and discuss the fight for LGBTQ+ rights then and now.
On Saturday 20 February 1988, over 20,000 people took to the streets of Manchester. They were there to protest against the Thatcher Government’s proposed introduction of the homophobic Section 28. There were also speeches, including from Sir Ian McKellen, and music performances. This landmark event in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights was captured on film and is held in the North West Film Archive.
To mark LGBTQ+ History Month, Manchester Metropolitan University is holding a special screening of the film, on Wednesday 28 February, 12-1pm in the cinema on the Ground Floor of the SODA (School of Digital Arts) Building. This will be an informal event, so as to give people the opportunity to not only see the footage, but to also discuss its relevance to today. We will be joined by Paul Fairweather MBE. Paul is a former Manchester councillor, long-time LGBTQ+ rights activist, and one of the organisers of the protest.
LGBTQ+ people are coming under increasing attack from hostile governments – both at home and abroad. The rights we fought so hard for are at risk of being lost, meaning the need to stand up and be heard is more vital than ever before.
Photo credit: Peter J. Walsh
