A gay rights pioneer will be a guest of honour at Tynwald Day today.

In 1991 Alan Shea made headlines around the world at the ceremony when he championed the cause of decriminalisation of homosexual acts, which were still illegal in the island.

He shaved his head and wore a mock prison uniform and was deliberately drawing parallels between the treatment of gay people on the Isle of Man and Nazi persecution of homosexuals during the Second World War.

Mr Shea exercised an ancient right at the Tynwald ceremony to present a petition for redress of grievance.

He received death threats and was subjected to abuse, jeers and heckling throughout the day.

The contrast with the recent Pride event last month, when LGBT+ rights were championed by thousands of people, could hardly be more stark.

Thirty years on from the protest, Mr Shea and his husband, Stephen Moore, will be guests of honour.

Manx National Heritage will also be returning Alan Shea’s 1991 protest clothing to St John’s on the day.

Back in 1991, Mr Shea was joined on Tynwald Day by members of Outrage, a UK-based gay pressure group, to stage an effective and lawful protest.

Placards were held aloft, literature distributed and a stall was staffed on the Fairfield.

Gay rights activism provoked strong opposition on island and during the proceedings at Tynwald Hill, there was outright hostility from a vocal section of the crowd.

prosecution

The event was organised by the Ellan Vannin Gay Group, which championed the right of gay people in the Isle of Man to lead their lives free from fear and oppression and their right to privately express themselves sexually without the constant fear of prosecution.

With the threat of imprisonment for acts of homosexuality, many local gay people felt isolated and imprisoned within their own communities and targeted by police activity.

A number of young men took their own lives during this period.

In 1992 Tynwald passed a law decriminalising homosexuality.

In 2020 Chief Minister Howard Quayle issued an unqualified public apology to gay men convicted of same-sex offences under previous Manx laws.

Katie King, curator of art and social history for Manx National Heritage, said: ’Alan Shea’s protest suit is one of the most important contemporary items we have in our social history collections.

’We are delighted to be exhibiting the suit and telling the protest story this Tynwald Day.

’It is extraordinary to think how much the island’s attitude has changed.

’Last month thousands of people joyously attended the island’s first Pride festival, but just 30 years ago Alan was subjected to jeering and hissing as he presented his petition.

’His bravery and courage and the momentum built by the Ellan Vannin Gay Group’s campaign led not only to a change in the law but a complete change in attitude on the island.

’Watching the film footage of the protest through the lens of 2021 is truly shocking.’

MNH will display the clothing during the afternoon at the event.

It forms part of its Collecting Pride project, which is a month-long campaign to collect, record and represent stories from members of the island’s LGBTQIA+ community to mark the island’s first Pride festival.

Ms King added: ’We are very grateful to Alan Shea for donating his suit and his papers documenting this period.

’We would also like to thank Culture Vannin, who are working with us to set up the display at their office at St John’s.’

The 1991 Protest display will be open from noon until 4pm at Culture Vannin, Main Road, St John’s.

Are you planning to present a petition at this year’s Tynwald ceremony?

Let us know in advance.

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