Gay in 80s

AT the time, he was classified as having died from complications from pneumonia but many of the symptoms puzzled his doctors. As activism became forefront in battling the AIDS epidemic, we started seeing other parts of the political area fall into the wreslting match for progress. LGBTQ+ organizations worked tirelessly to combat discrimination, support those affected by AIDS, and fight for legal recognition.

In some countries, legal progress was made.

While there were increasing levels of visibility and the seeds of future progress, the community was beset by the AIDS crisis, widespread discrimination, and political backlash. Television and movies did nothing to help change the stereotype of limp wristed, flouncy queens and diesel bull dykes waiting to steal housewives from their happy homes. 

As I sat through health classes in school, there was no mention of being queer, especially in any positive light.

We are watching a tyrant come back onto the scene who may do irreparable damage to our country, democracy, and way of life. There was no national or widespread legal recognition of same-sex relationships, no protections against employment or housing discrimination, and no legal framework for adopting children.

Beginnings of Progress

The 1980s were a dark, bleak period for LGBTQ, though they were not without hope.

It was easy to wrap up hated in religious ideologies and it was the perfect vehicle to spread hatred to the uneducated masses and continue a reign of making us the villains to all that was wholesome. 

• Conservative Movements: The 1980s saw the rise of conservative movements, particularly under the presidency of Ronald Reagan in the U.S., and similar political trends in other countries.

Never where they strong characters and often fell victim to the toxic masculine killer who seemed to take extra thrill in inflicting pain on them.

• Limited Positive Visibility: LGBTQ representation in mainstream media was limited and often negative, with LGBTQ characters typically portrayed as villains, victims, or in tragic roles.

We have to be the force of change, again. 

Today is National Coming Out Day and the message to get out and vote is stronger now than it has been in years. But these were only a small amount of the pains and hurdles we had to face.

Life and media representation

The 1980s was the decade where activism seemed to explode for LGBTQ+ Community.

It was not uncommon for people to be ostracized by their families, lose their jobs, or face violence for coming out.

• Closeted Lives: Due to the stigma, many LGBTQ individuals remained closeted, living in fear of being “outed” or exposed. Thereupon the Registrar shall, if satisfied that the applicant is competent to make the application and on production of documentary proof (in case of change of sex of the child medical certificate from the medical practitioner shall be produced) and on payment of the prescribed fee, cause the said particular of the person to be altered in the original birth information form filed in his office, but without erasing the original entry, and shall instruct the registration officer of the district or sub-district in which the birth of the person was registered to make a similar inscription in his births register and duplicate birth information form filed in his office." The Act must be interpreted in accordance with the Children’s Protection and Welfare Act.

Section 8(3) of the Act should be interpreted to provide for the change of sex or gender in the Register. It was also perfectly legal for you to lose your job simple for being gay.

It was torturous to say the least. What can change these things, you may ask? At no time in History, English, or Latin classes were historical figures discussed in terms of the homosexuality. Let me know in the comments below and remember, you are the reason for GayintheCLE. We were in the trenches, fighting for the rights we had no clue we would get but prayed for daily.

Talk shows made light of affections felt for others and it was much easier for us to hide in the shadows than be present and out.

• Homophobia: Homophobia was pervasive in the 1980s. The LGBTQ Community faced discrimination in employment, housing, healthcare, and social settings. Unlike most countries, Eswatini's law effectively makes it easier for legal gender change for minors than for adults.

Love learning more about the city I now call home.