There was no getting away from it I was surrounded. At a film festival watching a film, as you do, the film was produced by a lesbian. It was about a lesbian teacher not protecting a lesbian pupil in the 80s. [The film was called Blue Jean, soon to be released I understand.] I was also sat in Hebden Bridge’s fabulous one hundred year old cinema. Hebden Bridge, according to the BBC ‘it has long been claimed…has more lesbian people per head than anywhere else in the UK.’ So, I was surrounded by lesbians.
Now, I have no issue with this. I don’t give a toss what someone’s sexual preferences are, that’s their business not mine. But I must admit, I felt in a minority. No bad thing. It reminded me when I was once working in Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. I had to go and find something. Walking down the main road, I was the only white face to be seen. I felt like everyone was looking at me, which I am sure they were not. I felt alone, outnumbered. That was the feeling in the cinema.
But the film soon grabbed my attention and I was lost in the story of a passionate lesbian couple’s relationship collapsing over a misunderstanding over the behaviour of another lesbian. [I don’t want to spoil this great film for you hence my clunkiness]. I was uncomfortable watching the numerous homosexual sex scenes, but I did not look away. I did wonder at one point if I was experiencing the opposite of the ‘male gaze’, [where a male film maker exploits the physicality of a woman], as in the ‘female gaze’, a lesbian film maker exploiting the physicality of a woman. I don’t know, the thought was fleeting, and it passed.
What suddenly dawned on me was my late dad, who was thirty years older than me, would not be able sit in that room as I did. Being surrounded by homosexual women, watching homosexual sex in a film about homosexual relationships – my dad would have headed for the door. As would a lot of my Alf Garnett type male mates. Never mind asking questions in the Q and A at the end as I did.
I suddenly realised that my family has come along way in the last forty years. For one generation to be more tolerant and comfortable in the company of others no matter their sexual orientation than the previous generation, that’s progress isn’t it?
The Q and A panel at the end of the film had the people on which the story was based answering questions. At the time, in the 80s, it was banned for local councils to promote homosexuality, wrapped up in the Conservative law of Section 28. They were saying at the time, that they could not come out as gay teachers because of this act. And now when you apply for any job, there is a specific question that asks you directly what your sexuality is.
Progress I tell you, progress. Go see the film, Blue Jean, it’s brilliant, irrespective of the sexual orientation. It’s a great story told well.
