The UK Government lifted the ban on LGB people in the armed forces, the age of consent was lowered to 16, same-sex couples were granted equal rights when applying for adoption, and Section 28 was finally repealed across the UK. Under Tony Blair’s government in the 2000s, a raft of positive legislation was introduced. Trans youth charity Mermaids was founded, and two openly gay MPs are elected in the 1997 elections. The 1990s saw the World Health Organisation declassify same-sex attraction as a mental illness, and the age of consent for sexual relations between men lowered from 21 to 18. More happily, in 1989, Stonewall was founded to fight back against Section 28. In 1988, Margaret Thatcher introduced Section 28, a piece of legislation which banned local authorities from ‘promoting homosexuality’ and effectively banned the discussion of LGBTQ+ issues in schools. But as well as increased visibility, the LGBTQ+ population in the UK faced a backlash. Chris Smith became the first openly gay MP, and the Lesbian and Gays Support the Miners campaign was launched. We saw the first Black Gay and Lesbian Group being formed, as well as the first bi group in the UK. In the 1980s, progress sped up rapidly as more LGBTQ+ people came out and demanded equal treatment. In a watershed moment, Maureen Colquhoun became Britain’s first openly lesbian MP. The first trans conference was held in Leeds and the first gay and lesbian Trades Union Congress conference took place to discuss workplace rights. Switchboard, a London-based info and support helpline that still runs today, was established.
And throughout the 1970s, there were many other milestones – Gay News, Britain’s first newspaper, was founded. At that first Pride in 1972, around 2,000 participants marched together, calling for gay rights.
Fifty years after the first Pride in London, it’s time to reflect on everything our movement has achieved. In this article, we’ll chart the major moments in LGBTQ+ history since the first Pride in 1972, and ask what still needs to change for LGBTQ+ people, today and in future.Ģ022 is a pivotal year for LGBTQ+ history in the UK. News Blog Communities Families Health & social care Law & crime Social exclusion Workplace This year we’re celebrating 50 years of Pride in the UK.