Sussex campaigners were forerunners of the Pride movement

With this year’s Pride events postponed, a photograph taken almost 50 years ago is helping to raise awareness of the movement and its message.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The image shows the Sussex Gay Liberation Front, campaigners involved with the forerunner of the Pride movement in Brighton.

It was sourced from the Bishopsgate Institute in London and restored by Alf Le Flohic, a local historian and part of the University of Brighton’s web team.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Sussex Gay Liberation Front was formed by staff and students at the University of Sussex, and other local people, in January 1971 and the image shows them about to march along the seafront in 1972, with banners displaying messages like ‘Glad to be Gay’.

Sussex Gay Liberation Front in Brighton for Gay Day in October 1972. Picture:  Bishopsgate InstituteSussex Gay Liberation Front in Brighton for Gay Day in October 1972. Picture:  Bishopsgate Institute
Sussex Gay Liberation Front in Brighton for Gay Day in October 1972. Picture: Bishopsgate Institute

Alf said: “The photograph was in the archives at the Bishopsgate Institute and I recognised it immediately but I’d never seen such a good quality copy of it.

“Simon Watney is on the far right edge of the image and was teaching at Brighton Polytechnic Art School when the photo was taken. He said in an email that he was ‘astonished to see that line-up photo of us all in 1972’.

“There appears to be only one woman in the photograph and unfortunately, I’ve been unable to identify her. In fact I’ve only identified six or seven out of the 19 individuals in it so far. I’d love to hear from people if they recognise anyone.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“This Gay Day in 1972 was focused on an equal age of consent. It was followed by Brighton’s first Gay Pride event in July 1973.

“The pair on the far left are playwright John Roman Baker and founding director of the Sussex AIDS Centre Graham Wilkinson. They got married on the beach as part of the Pride celebrations in 1973.

“The turn out for Pride was disappointing due to the hostile environment of the times and it wasn’t until 1991 that another Pride event took place in Brighton.

“It’s important to remember how brave these young pioneers of the Pride movement were at a time when their message was not so accepted as it is today, and when many individuals suffered abuse and violence for the cause.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s also important that even without Pride events this year, people shouldn’t feel isolated. They may be going through difficult and complicated times but the LGBTQ+ community will help them to be who they really are, and with pride.”

Brighton & Hove Pride would have been holding its landmark 30th anniversary celebrations on August 1 and 2, 2020, but has had to postpone it until August 7 and 8, 2021, due to the coronavirus.

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.