Remembering Mark Ashton - Molly Farrell

In Northern Ireland, there are many historical figures that come to mind such as C.S Lewis, historical events such as the Titanic being made in Belfast. We learn of these people in school, and study these historical events. But what happens to those whose work is ignored? To those who contributed so much to communities when the rest of the world had turned their backs to them?

Mark Ashton was from Portrush, Northern Ireland. He grew up here before, like so many, moving to London in the UK and experiencing life there. He was an openly gay man, proud of his sexuality and proud of his community. And yet, there is nothing to remember him in his hometown. He is remembered in London, he is even remembered in Paris.

And yet, we have nothing to remember him by. 

The work that Mark did was significant to so many. During the 1984/85 Miners Strike, Mark began the LGSM (Lesbian and Gays Support Miners) to raise money for the mining community, to give them warmth, food and shelter. 

He had seen how they were being treated, and he knew that feeling. Mark believed in one community showing solidarity to another, because together we are stronger than when we stand alone. As seen with the Ban Conversion Therapy Bill, that bill was passed due to a cross party effort not one singular party alone. And yet, there is nothing here to remember Mark Ashton by. People have to actively search on their own accord to find out more about him, to find out that he also founded the AIDS Helpline, again not leaving a community alone before sadly losing his life due to AIDS related illness. He believed in helping people, something we all can learn from. Both communities he helped had been abandoned by the government, they faced endless brutality from the police and from the public for doing nothing except being themselves. Except loving their partner, except working to give their family a life. 

And yet again, we have nothing to remember him by.

We, as a country, have failed his legacy. We have done what he fought to prevent happening to the Miners and the LGBTQ+ Community. We forgot him, and ignored him. We owe it to Mark to remember him, to take pride in him. To give inspiration to young LGBTQ+ people in Northern Ireland that they are not strange, they are not out of place. In fact, they belong here. We should be celebrating Mark and his incredible life, not leaving him out in the cold. 

He was a good man, an honest and fair one. And we should learn from the lessons he taught in solidarity, kindness and perseverance. 

Molly Farrell is a 22 year old activist from Dungannon. While being the Chairperson of SDLP Youth East Derry Branch, Molly is also interested in issues surrounding Human Rights and Equality. She will be pursuing a Masters in Human Rights and Transitional Justice when she completes her degree in Drama.