Rhondda Attitudes

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Changes in attitudes to homosexuality in the Rhondda.

Ian Watkins ( 'H' from the band 'Steps') revisits the Rhondda valley to see if attitudes to homosexuality have altered in the last ten years. He remembers the abuse that he had growing up there. Includes archive on the life of gays from 1967. Contemporary footage showing the Cardiff Mardi Gras Festival, a same sex civil partnership ceremony and an interview with Nigel Owens, rugby referee who remembers neutral reactions to him in the rugby world when he decided to come out suggest a more liberal south Wales, but some contemporary voices still show signs of homophobia.
From: Week In Week Out - Only Gay in the Village
First Broadcast : 11 March 2008

Teachers' notes

Age Group : 14-16,16+

Subject : Sociology

Topic : Community and culture

Keywords : Discrimination, Culture and socialisation, Homosexuality, Rhondda, Ian Watkins, Stereotype, Civil ceremony, Mardi Gras, Rugby

Notes : DISCUSSION • What was there in the clip to suggest that things had changed or were changing? • What other groups suffer discrimination in contemporary society? • Discuss possible effects on the individual from suffering discrimination. EXTENDED WORK • Collects statistics on civil partnership ceremonies - how many have there been since the passing of legislation in 2004? • Investigate discrimination cases in the newspapers. REVISION • Note the differences between prejudice and discrimination. • Discuss the reasons for societal discrimination for reasons of sexuality or race. See The Only Gay in the Village for other clips from the programme.

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