This document discusses the representation of gay identity in British films and media from the pre-1960s through the 1960s. It notes that prior to the 1960s, there was an "absence" of open gay representation due to social and political norms. The 1960s saw a period of social change in Britain including challenges to traditions and a push for greater equality. Films from the British New Wave period began depicting more realistic portrayals of life, including homosexuality, though mainstream representations often depicted gay people as deviant or the butt of jokes. The document prompts further student research on films from this era and how representations evolved over this transformative time in Britain.

1. Gay Collective Identity Week 2