Mark Ashton

Acting

Mark Ashton

Born 1960-05-19 · Oldham, Lancashire, England, UK

Mark Ashton was a British gay rights activist and co-founder of the Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM) support group. He was a member of the Communist Party of Great Britain and general secretary of the Young Communist League.

Acting credits

Jimmy Somerville: Queer Rebel of British Pop poster
5.3

With his soaring falsetto and magnetic yet understated stage presence, Jimmy Somerville burst onto the 1980s new wave scene, making the world dance to songs rooted in struggle and resilience. From the harsh realities of Glasgow’s working-class neighborhoods to the challenges of growing up gay in a hostile world, and the devastating impact of the AIDS crisis, Somerville transformed pain into anthems of freedom. First with Bronski Beat, then The Communards, and later as a solo artist, he became both rebel and diva—the unmistakable voice of a generation fighting for equality. Through intimate stories from those who have stood by him for four decades, this portrait reveals a rare artist who has never wavered in his convictions.

Jimmy Somerville: Queer Rebel of British Pop

2025

All Out! Dancing in Dulais poster
3.3

Dancing in Dulias was made by members of Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM) and Lesbians Against Pit Closures during and immediate after the 1984/85 minders strike. Like the forthcoming movie, Pride, it documents the interactions between lesbians and gay men and the miners and their families in Dulais in South Wales - only this time it's the real thing. As well as some memorable footage that includes the Blaenant Lodge banner leading the 1985 Lesbian and Gay Pride march and LGSM members struggling with bingo at the local community hall, the film documents the wider political impact of this seemingly unlikely alliance. (cont. http://www.cambridgefilmfestival.org.uk/films/2014/dancing-in-dulais#sthash.HScQCj7E.dpuf)

All Out! Dancing in Dulais

1986

No artwork available
NR

Featurette on the true story that inspired "Pride" (2014). On Pride (2014) DVD.

Pride: The True Story

2015

Striking with Pride: United at the Coalface poster
8.0

A small mining community in South Wales and a group of gay activists from London forge an unlikely alliance at the height of the miners' strike in the mid-1980s.

Striking with Pride: United at the Coalface

2024

Framed Youth: The Revenge of the Teenage Perverts poster
4.0

Gay and lesbian teenagers interview straight people on the streets of London about their views on homosexuality.

Framed Youth: The Revenge of the Teenage Perverts

1983

Behind the camera