During the miners’ strike of 1984–85, an alliance was formed between mining families and queer activists. Tins like this were used by gay men and women to collect money on behalf of mining communities, eventually collecting £20,000.  

One of the most successful events was held at the Electric Ballroom in Camden Town, London on 10th December 1984. ‘Pits and Perverts’ brought together live bands, dancing, comedy acts and an exhibition. At the end of the evening a spokesperson David Donovan from the National Union of Mineworkers addressed the crowds:

”You have worn our badge ‘Coal Not Dole’ and you know what harassment means, as we do. Now we will support you. It won’t change overnight, but now a hundred and forty thousand miners know about blacks and gays and nuclear disarmament and we will never be the same.”

You might have seen this story in the 2014 film Pride. The organisation Lesbians and Gays support the Miners is still going.

Image: thanks to Museums Northumberland