Solidarity Forever: 40 Years of LGSM

Join us during LGBT+ History Month 2025 for an evening of collections, communities, and conversations to mark 40 years since the 1984 to 1985 Miners’ Strike which led to the founding of Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM), and discover the inspiration behind the 2014 film ‘Pride’.

6.00pm – 7.00pm:

• Delve into original documents from the LGSM archive, including the minutes of the first meeting
• Discover a photographic travelling exhibition complete with custom made suitcase, created by LGSM for Pride 1985
• Explore the featuring the original LGSM banner (1984), which for the first time has been displayed so visitors can view both sides of the design

7.00pm – 8.30pm:

• Join a conversation and Q&A exploring key moments in LGSM’s history, solidarity between communities, and the legacy 40 years on, with LGSM members Jonathan Blake and Mike Jackson

Throughout the evening:

• Pose for a photo with a replica of the LGSM banner
• Get the t-shirt; pick up a special edition Pits and Perverts 40th anniversary t-shirt from PHM shop, where all purchases support the museum
• Enjoy hot and cold refreshments at Open Kitchen Cafe & Bar

Suitable for all ages 16+ (under 18s must have an accompanying adult).

• Hearing loop provided for the conversation and Q&A
• If you require British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation please contact [email protected] or 0161 838 9190

Speaker biographies:

Jonathan Blake is an LGSM member and HIV activist who has lived with the virus for almost 42 years. He was born in Birmingham in 1949 and was working as an actor in 1982 when he first contracted the virus. In 1983 Jonathan met Nigel Young and together they joined LGSM. He designed the original LGSM badge and retrained as a tailor before medically retiring in 1996 and starting anti retro-viral therapy in 1997. Jonathan volunteered at various HIV drop in centres. Globally outed as HIV positive at the end of the film ‘Pride’ (2014), Jonathan returned to acting and has featured in Patrick Cash’s ‘HIV Monologues’ (2017) and ‘Positive’ (2021).

Mike Jackson grew up in Accrington, Lancashire and was brought up to be proud of his working class background. However, it was not an enlightened culture in terms of sexuality, and he struggled as a gay teenager until he left home and school to study horticulture at Kew Gardens near London. Mike phoned an LGBT+ support organisation, in tears and with feelings of shame, but they turned his life around. They explained that the only problem he faced was homophobia and almost overnight he became a joyous yet angry 19 year old. Ten years later the Miners’ Strike kicked off and without hesitation Mike supported them, but unconditionally as a proud, out, gay man which is why he and others formed LGSM. Mike’s support for the strike, strikers, and National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) President Arthur Scargill is steadfast to this day.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

People's History Museum, Left Bank, Manchester, United Kingdom