Joined hands (Symbol)
To express his gratitude and show the LGSM group the readiness for acceptance in the small town in Wales, David talks about the symbol of workers' solidarity: two hands coming together. This image, of two hands coming together to shake across barriers of identity and experience, is at the thematic core of the film, representing the necessity of working together towards a common cause. It is a symbol of unity that is central to the success of the movement and to the film's narrative.
Have a pint (Symbol)
When the LGSM first arrives in the Welsh village, the miners are not very amenable to the newcomers, but eventually they come around. This is symbolized primarily by one of the miners inviting Mark to drink a pint with him at the Welfare Hall. Sharing a beer is a show of respect and acceptance that bridges the gap between the rough-around-the-edges mining community and the gay group from London.
Dancing (Motif)
One night at the Welfare Hall, one of the members of the LGSM, Jonathan, begins dancing flamboyantly throughout the hall. This act represents the fact that he is a proud gay man, a man who is not afraid of connecting with his feminine side and being a little ostentatious in public. The women of the community rally around his dancing in such a way that some of the miners begin to wonder how they themselves can learn how to dance. The dancing becomes a comical bridge between the gay and straight communities. The gay men, in teaching the straight miners to have a little fun at a party, show them how to connect with the women in the village and feel more comfortable in their own skin.
The Parade (Symbol)
At the end of the film, the LGSM is told that they cannot be political in the gay pride parade, even though Mark protests that politics are central to the spirit of pride. Suddenly, a squadron of buses arrives and miners come out to march with the LGSM in the parade. This overwhelming influx of participants and allies represents the fact that the political movement is stronger with unity and numbers.
"Bromley" (Motif)
Throughout the film, the gay friends call Joe "Bromley," as a reference to the town he is from. This is a nod to the slightly upper-crust and uptight community that he comes from. He is not working-class or urban, but from the suburbs. Indeed, his well-to-do suburban upbringing is something from which Joe must break free in the course of the film.
