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In celebration of International Women’s Day we are remembering the women of Greenham Common.

During LGBT+ History Month we were scouring our archives and came across a recording by a former Pinkie about the great work of the Greenham women. We thought it would be a perfect way to celebrate International Women’s Day.

It all started in 1981 with a march to RAF Greenham Common by a group of men and woman to protest against the decision to deploy US Cruise Missiles on British soil at the airbase and people stayed. It soon became “women only” with some women staying for many years. The base was surrounded by a nine-mile fence and the groups of women camped outside the various gates into and out of the base which were re-named after the colours of the rainbow (eg “blue gate” “orange gate” etc).

“I wrote this song to celebrate and recognise the triumph of the Greenham women who stayed for years. Despite of the intimidation, the bad press, the bullying and sometimes even suffering violence against them, they didn’t give up and they didn’t go home till the missiles were removed. These were brave women who came from all walks of life but a large majority of them were feminists and lesbians. It’s part of our woman’s history…. we must not forget.!!”
Rosa MacCormack (former pinkie)

Some, but by no means all of the woman there were lesbians and homophobia was very common in the popular press in the 1980’s. There was a strong feminist aspect to the camp which was influenced by the Suffragettes. Conditions at the camp were very basic. Woman created  a safe space where they could get involved in non-violent direct action. The women were however subject to abuse by some of the local residents and  evictions by bailiffs.  Many were arrested and several served prison sentences.

One of the most famous episodes was when 30,000 woman held hands around the base and another when a group danced on the silos! 

It was an important protest and the Cruise missiles were eventually removed. The Common has now been restored to the public and the efforts of the many women who protested and camped in the 1980s were an important factor in that. The women have been compared to “Extinction Rebellion” and many were profoundly affected by the Peace Camp. 

In the words of Rosa’s song:

Greenham woman don’t you go home, Greenham woman you’ve been there too long, Greenham woman in the danger zone, Greenham woman stands alone.. oh no.

They tried so hard to get their voices heard, tried so hard but no one hears a word.

The bombs, the guns, the soldiers and war games, and the politicians do this in our names.

Greenham woman don’t you go home….

Soldiers burst into their tents at night, A helicopter searches with a light.

Women climb the fence to get around and the soldiers come and knock them to the ground.

Greenham woman don’t you go home…. 

Children are the future of our world, they need a safe and loving home, they need a planet they can call their own so their mothers will not leave them without hope.

Greenham woman don’t you go home…. 

Standing on the frontline for peace, standing firm and standing fearlessly, soldiers try to scare them all away.. but while the bombs are there, the woman stay.

Greenham woman don’t you go home…. 

People demonstrating for world peace, come and join us stand defiantly, to stop the arms race stop the bloody war, to stand and shout we ain’t gonna take no more.

Greenham woman don’t you go home…. 

This February, the Pink Singers celebrated LGBT+ History Month 2021 with a series of talks, bringing to the surface the fascinating and diverse experiences of people within the choir, as well as those of the people we have had the pleasure to partner with.

On Sunday 14 February 2021 we had a conversation with Oskar, a Pinkie alumnus, about finding a chosen family. Oskar left London for Manchester a few years ago to explore new opportunities there, and talked about discovering a new home in the Northern Ballroom community. The Ballroom scene started last century in New York City and brought the Black and Latinx queer community together. Many of us will have first heard about Ballroom from Madonna’s 80s song “Vogue” which incorporated dance moves from that subculture but has had more mainstream exposure with the TV show “Pose” which tells the story of members of the Ballroom “Houses” around that time.

Fast forward to 2021, and the Ballroom scene can now be found internationally. One of the places where it has really blossomed is in the North, with Houses in Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle. As a member of the House of Noir, Oskar gives us a rare peek behind the scenes and explore the significance of Ballroom to the QTIPOC community there.

As part of our charitable aims promoting equality and diversity, the session was recorded and edited and can now be found on our Pink Singers YouTube channel.

Other talks in the series:

Week 1: Pink History With Sue Sanders

Week 3: It’s a Sin!

Week 4: LGBT+ History Month – Capturing our Stories

Photo Credits:

The House of Suarez Atlantis Ball – Fotocad Photography

This February, the Pink Singers celebrated LGBT+ History Month with a series of talks, bringing to the surface the fascinating and diverse experiences of people within the choir, as well as those of the people we have had the pleasure to partner with.

The first of these talks took place on Sunday 7 February where we were joined by Sue Sanders, the founder of LGBT+ History Month UK, Professor at Emeritus Harvey Milk Institute and Chair of Schools OUT UK. A self-described “dyke from about 18 onwards” she talked about her experiences growing up, why she set up LGBT+ History Month, how it has grown and why it is even more important today. The talk also covered the role models profiled for this years theme ‘Mind, Body & Spirit’

The Pink Singers has had a long history with LGBT+ History Month, having performed at its launch event in 2005 and every year (bar 2020 obvs!) since, so Sue is a very familiar face for the choir. Sue also held a Q&A session with members of the choir following the talk. It was such an honour to have such a legend join us for LGBT+ History Month.

As part of our charitable aims promoting equality and diversity, the session was recorded and edited and can now be found on our Pink Singers YouTube channel.
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You can support LGBT+ History Month by buying merchandise from their online store, including some excellent pin badges.

Other talks in the series:

Week 2: Strike a Pose: The Northern Ballroom Scene with Oskar

Week 3: It’s a Sin!

Week 4: LGBT+ History Month – Capturing our Stories

Whilst singing has been tricky online, lockdown has given us a unique opportunity to talk more to our fellow choir members and to share our stories.

Putting the zine together has been a lovely experience! It’s been great to see how many people are eager to get involved in creating something together, and for me personally, it was nice to see some of the talent in the choir come out of the woodwork, where I was previously not aware of it – who knew that there were so many brilliant illustrators, poets, and writers?

I think it’s really important to have different outlets for LGBT+ History Month. Not everybody feels comfortable speaking in front of a group, or making something that they as an individual are responsible for, but unfortunately these are the stories that are most easily archived as ‘history’. With the zine, we have hopefully created a space where people feel able to participate in history-making to the extent that they feel most comfortable – that can be loudly and proudly, but also quietly and anonymously.

The zine includes stories, poems, media reviews and recommendations and if you’ve got kids (or like to do this yourself) there’s also some drawings from our talented members to colour it. Peruse it online, or you may prefer to print it out, grab a coffee and sit back and have a read.

Pippa Sterk, Alto

Following on from the successful launch of our latest virtual choir project, we thought it would be good to hear from some of our former members about what it was like to be back with the Pinkies and what taking part in the project meant to them?

Andy (1997-1998, Australia)

“I was in the Pink Singers for most of the two years I was in London and back then we didn’t even have mobile phones. So, for the team to expertly coordinate this huge project, across borders, time zones and generations of Pinkies, building community with sectionals and meetings and then amusing and accessible guidance for how to record our parts and then our videos: I tell you, I was amazed. But what I enjoyed the most was how it reminded me of an exciting time in my life and the best parts about living in London, and how the Pink Singers were so important to that.” 

Fran

“In 2019, I went through a difficult relationship break up.  That, coupled with the virus restrictions made things really difficult and I hit a real low.  Then one day whilst visiting some Pinkie friends, they mentioned that the Pink Singers were still rehearsing virtually every Sunday, and the rehearsals were currently open to resters and ex-pinkies to join. I knew that singing with the Pinkies again was going to give me the positivity boost that I badly needed.  Having a reason to sing again, but also to be part of an amazing community has really helped lift my spirits, and even though we are meeting via Zoom, I have enjoyed every minute of it.  I am very grateful for the generosity of the people in this choir and to always feel welcome in this inclusive community.   

It was really exciting being part of this project. I hadn’t previously sung the song, so I first had to learn the words and the music. This gave me a goal which helped take my mind off Covid. I also had the chance to video my two boys for the Dinkie Pinkie section. It was great to see them so excited to be taking part. I’m hugely impressed by the work that the Production team have put in to make this happen.”

Watch the video now!

Paul (1996-2003, The Netherlands)

“It was great to be part of this project and to feel that I was, once again, a singing Pinkie. I also enjoyed getting to know, for me, new Pinkies.

Since I moved to The Hague, I have been singing with the local gay men’s choir Vox Rosa. The main differences is that it is a male choir and also with only 25 members, it is much smaller than The Pinkies. Another difference is that Vox Rosa tends to tell a story with our concerts (especially when we perform at Various Voices). In Dublin the show was about the relationship between Gay Men and their mothers and in Munich our performance started with Vox Rosa as a very straight-laced traditional Christian Male Choir and ended up with all of the members’ expressing themselves as a very colourful choir of different sexualities and gender-identities.”

Kate (2007-2018)

“I miss that communal physical feeling of singing and breathing in the same space (especially this year!), the fantastic sound we all make together, being part of something bigger, at such a good standard. And the family, of course!

I loved seeing everyone again in the rehearsals – and was surprised how effective the rehearsals were over Zoom. Having seen the last video and knowing to what a high standard it’s produced by the team, I’m really looking forward to being a part of this one.”

Zoe (2016-17, The Netherlands)

“What I enjoyed most about this project was The Zoom rehearsals and seeing people I haven’t seen since leaving London! Getting dressed up was fun, but it was seeing old friends that really made it, even if I didn’t get to hug them. I miss the feeling of singing with 90 other people, but mainly the community.

Unfortunately, there aren’t any LGBT+ choirs near me in Rotterdam, nor in the whole of the Netherlands (that I’m aware of). There are a few gay men’s choirs around, and even fewer queer women’s choirs, but nothing mixed that I’ve found 🙁 So being briefly part of the Pinkies again, albeit virtually, was really special.”