1984. Politics: Rugby Council decides to discriminate against LGBT people
By the mid-80s, a number of UK Councils were considering the inclusion of ‘sexual orientation’ in their Equal Opportunities policies. At the same time, a number of other Councils still failed to see the point and, therefore, took no action at all.
But for Conservative-led Rugby Council simply omitting sexual orientation from their Equal Opportunities policy didn’t go far enough: in September 1984 they decided they would actively discriminate against LGBT people.
In a series of breathtakingly ignorant statements, local councillors outlined their prejudices to anyone who would listen. Councillor Keith Judge, for example, declared that all LGBT people should be banned from using Council premises:
“By including these words [sexual orientation] we shall give the people of Rugby the idea that this Council welcomes queers and perverts.”
His colleague Councillor Needham declared ‘all homosexuals to be vile and perverted people’. And Council leader Gordon Collett argued the case for not employing LGBT people by saying:
“We’re not having men turn up for work in dresses and earrings.”
(To get a true sense of the nonsense these people talked, listen to this London Broadcasting Company radio interview from September 1984.
https://bufvc.ac.uk/tvandradio/lbc/index.php/segment/0009900281006 )
This extraordinary ignorance should have been evident to anyone with even half a brain. But, to no one’s surprise, Rupert Murdoch’s Sun newspaper ran an editorial on 28th September supporting Rugby in its fight against the “sick nonsense” of LGBT rights. It ended with a call to its readers – “Let’s ALL follow Rugby in fighting back!”
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: My sincerest thanks to Cath Booth for the link to the radio programme.
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“Rugby council won’t employ homosexuals”
The BUFVC (British Universities Film and Video Council) has an audio interview with George Collett, Leader of Rugby Council, plus response from CHE spokesperson Mike Foxwell and Sheila Smith of NALGO.
The audio can be accessed if logging in via a BUFVC participating university – if people are interested in listening, perhaps contact the library of the university nearest you and ask if they can make it available
https://bufvc.ac.uk/tvandradio/lbc/index.php/segment/0009900281006
I was active in the Kenilworth and Rugby Young socialists as youth Labour was known at the time. It’s a real defining moment, for me, also Miners strike time. We marched and sang scurrilous songs. Thanks to Chris Smith for his courage at our demo. It’s made me check my privilege every day, to love the LGBTQ+ community and support unionised workers. Peace and love all.
Thanks for your memories Rachel.:-) Colin
I was a member of Rugby Labour Party Young Socialists and on the protest group set up to their credit the Labour Party Councillors who marched as well Also was a steward on the march and the 2nd march back the railway. station when the police waded in and arrested a number of the demonstators. The march and rally at the Benn Hall was 1000 people strong. Me and another members collected for the miners outside the hall. actually do think this protest helped the London protesters see a need to support yhe miners and we know from the Prdie Film this what they did so well. The Tories on the Council were forced back due to the key opposition of the Trade Unions within the council house firstly Nalgo but then the T and G who started to talk about industrial action. A crucial position.
Roy,
Thank you so much for this detail. Having a greater insight into the dynamics of this issue gives us a much greater insight into our history.
Very many thanks,
Colin