News

We Won’t Be Unhappy Tonight

0 165
MMU’s Vocalists
 
LGBT in History Month Welcome, New Business School, Manchester Metropolitan University, Friday 31st January 2014
 

When you say you’ll be staying at work late on a Friday night, colleagues give you a sympathetic smile.
Then they quickly run to make their own escape to the pub. Pity these colleagues and their naivety. Little do they realise that by 6.30pm you’ll be laughing hysterically while singing
I Won’t Be Unhappy Tonight and shaking vegetable-shaped maracas. You will, however, be doing this sober. One day, the powers that be will learn that if you say ‘free drinks’ to students, they aren’t expecting tea and coffee.

We Won't Be Unhappy Tonight
This was the opening event for Manchester Metropolitan University’s (MMU) celebration of Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) History Month, introduced by MMU’s Mary Heaney. Yet it was Jeff Evans’ personal speech that really reflected MMU’s links to LGBT history in the UK. For Jeff this began with taking part in student protests against Section 28 in the 1980s, at a time when the then Vice Chancellor received threats from anti-gay extremists for having the audacity to value diversity. MMU’s journey continues with Jeff’s current research into students’ experiences in school in ‘The Prevalence of Homophobia Survey’. Given the acknowledgement by the Government, in 2013, that some academies have been attempting to effectively reintroduce Section 28, there’s clearly more work ahead. It’s encouraging, therefore, to see that MMU’s commitment to LGBT equality in education continues. 
 
But for the month ahead, we have LGBT History Month. The theme this year is music, and the opening event at MMU featured the very talented Vocalists, one of the newest societies at MMU. The brilliant Claire Mooney further demonstrated the power of music with the lyrics to Hold Hands – a poignant song about a couple who cannot be together in public. Written many years ago about the reality of life in the UK, it’s not just a song about the past.
Listening, its current relevance to those in India, Russia and Uganda was actually what came across.
 
Later in the month there will be a series of free events open to the public, staff and students. Screenings of the classic movie Paris is Burning, and the 2013 film Bette Bourne: It Goes with the Shoes, as well as a talk on Punk, culture and politics by Dr David Wilkinson. There is also another chance to catch Claire Mooney in action on the 24th February. Details are available on the student union’s LGTB page

The LGBT History Month celebrations will culminate on Friday 28th February, with a closing party for staff and students. Held at the Student Union, there will be a quiz, music and ‘refreshments’. It is yet to be confirmed whether these ‘refreshments’ will include alcohol. The philosopher John Lily once said “Whatever one believes to be true, either is true or becomes true”. I believe there will be alcohol.

 
Caroline Matthews is a Mancunian, wife, mother, student and writer. You can follow her on Twitter @CarolBMatthews

About the author / 

aAh!

aAh! Magazine is Manchester Metropolitan University's arts and culture magazine.

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More News Stories:

  • Lights Up cycling film to premiere at The Savoy for International Women’s Day

    Featured image: Isabelle Dargue A powerful new film documenting Manchester’s Lights Up movement will premiere at The Savoy Cinema on 9 March as part of International Women’s Day celebrations. Lights Up is a free, community-led event organised by Bee Pedal Ready and Station South in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University, We Are Cycling UK, MCRActive,…

  • Manchester illustrator Stanley Chow to play free DJ set in Chorlton

    Featured image: David Lindsay Manchester illustrator Stanley Chow will return to the decks for a special guest vinyl DJ set at The Garden Bar in Chorlton later this month. Chow, known for his distinctive geometric minimalist portraits of figures from Manchester and wider pop culture, is returning to his roots with an exclusive free DJ…

  • A Mural for Mani – Manchester music legend to be immortalised with mural in his hometown

    Following the passing of iconic Stone Roses and Primal Scream Bassist Gary ‘Mani’ Mountfield, there have been growing calls for him to be immortalised in a way that reflects both his cultural impact and the deep affection shared between the musician and his home city. GRIT Studios has answered the calls from fans, announcing plans…

  • London Fashion Week A/W 2026: The new designers shaping tomorrow

    Featured image: Evie Peattie  Often overshadowed in popular narratives by the heritage houses of Paris or Milan, London’s fashion ecosystem has long traded on creative freedom. As London Fashion Week prepares for its 42nd year, running from the 19 to 23 February, the British capital is poised to reaffirm its reputation not simply as a…