The Forum Site - Join the conversation
Forums: Relationships:
Homosexuality

50 Years of Gay Rights in UK

Reply to Topic
AuthorMessage
Jennifer1984 On July 20, 2022
Returner and proud





Penzance, United Kingdom
#1New Post! Jul 27, 2017 @ 12:21:16
On 27 July 1967, the Sexual Offences Act was passed and homosexuality was de-criminalised in England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland followed later.

Prior to that date the "crime" of being in a gay relationship carried a prison sentence.

It hasn't been plain sailing since then, but de-criminalisation was a major step. The road to where we are today began in the 1950's when a Government Commission led by John Wolfenden made recommendations which led to the change in the law.

On 1 July 1972 the first ever Gay Pride took place in London. Around 2000 people took part, now the annual event is attended by over a million people over several days and Pride is celebrated all over the world. But that first event was blighted by anti-gay outbursts, missiles being thrown at revellers and condemnation by the Church of England.

1988: The Thatcher government introduced the so-called "Clause 28" which specified that teachers were not allowed to educate students about gay relationships in schools. Many teachers argued that this promoted ignorance and prejudice.

2000: Gay men and lesbians were allowed to serve in the British Armed Forces after a prolonged campaign by "The Rank Outsiders", four former service men and women who had been dismissed from the services because of their homosexuality, led to a ruling in the European Court which decided the British Law was discriminatory and infringed the European Charter on Human Rights.

2002: Gay couples acquired the right to adopt.

2003: After Mrs Thatcher had been ousted as Prime Minister, Clause 28 was overturned.

2004: Civil Partnerships were introduced in England and Wales. Scotland and NI followed later. CP gave couples the same legal rights as married couples but was not defined as "Marriage". How British. Gay Rights groups fought for full marriage to be made legal, including those who wish to marry in church.

2008: It became a criminal offence to encourage or take part in homophobic hate crime. The definition of discrimination was greatly extended which led to complaints that this infringed freedom of speech and other civil liberties.

2013: Full marriage rights achieved in England, Wales and Scotland.


All of these are wonderful achievements, but the fight still goes on. Gay Rights campaigners are still working to have the convictions of those convicted before July 1967 to have their convictions quashed and removed from their record.

There is still homophobia in our society and it is a problem in some schools. We want to see it become a legal responsibility for all schools to have an anti-homophobia policy which enables them to take punitive action against those who take part in or promote homophobic bullying.

Some horrible things were done to gay men back in the days of criminalisation:

I Was Sent For Gay "Cure" Treatment


We have made massive advances in our law and social culture since then. There is still a way to go yet.
Ratty On November 08, 2021




So Cal, California
#2New Post! Jul 27, 2017 @ 21:38:01
The UK and Europe in general seem to be way ahead of the US in terms of gay rights, at least from how it appears to be. Canada as well.
Reply to Topic<< Previous Topic | Next Topic >>

1 browsing (0 members - 1 guest)

Quick Reply
Be Respectful of Others

      
Subscribe to topic prefs

Similar Topics
    Forum Topic Last Post Replies Views
New posts   News & Current Events
Fri Feb 27, 2015 @ 00:41
106 4511
New posts   Politics
Tue Jan 22, 2019 @ 22:01
20 2498
New posts   Animal Rights
Tue Feb 03, 2009 @ 23:57
1 1057
New posts   US Elections
Fri Jul 24, 2020 @ 23:24
77 25048
New posts   Politics
Sat Sep 10, 2005 @ 12:38
66 7656