POLARI HISTORY - Bona Queen Of Fabularity. Documentary (early 80's).

DISCLAIMER:

Copyright Disclaimer: under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.

Polari is still spoken by several thousand people today, be this casually, or with great and deliberate effect, in several continents of the world. Though its origins are well known from the ocean going merchants of the Mediterranean, finding its way to the ports of England, and spreading across the whole UK, it remains in use across the world by its supporters, students, and interested researchers alike. It is also very fondly remembered for its use in Round The Horne which featured Kenneth Williams, Kenneth Horne, Hugh Paddick, Barry Took and Betty Marsden, amongst others. Like all lavender languages, Polari existed to create a safe space within which its users might freely express themselves, from that time in history when being queer was punishable by imprisonment, social ostracism, and marginalisation from wider society. Sadly such profound ignorance remains alive in the world today, especially in those countries where to be LGBT+ remains a crime ( see https://76crimes.com ).

This video is featured to support the promotion and continuation of Polari as a language; indeed a culture. We give thanks and credit to its original creator for this astounding piece of work. Featuring the fantabulosa Laurie Lee, it's a dolly piece of Polari history in this glossie. Bona for perfecting your savvy of the times, the necessity for Polari, its meaning to omis et palones, and its relevance to members of the LGBT+ community who employ it to this very journo. In our uncertain times of high conflict, lavender languages are arguably an important element in the LGBT+ toolkit. Have an ogle and screeve yer lavs kindly heartfaces.

Bona lavs xx