Decriminalization of homosexuality in the UK

By LineaSB

  • Legalization of homosexuality (in the UK)

    Up until this point (1800) it has been seen as illegal to be gay (death penalty), but after the 1800 it is seen as a mental disease. Quote: "Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people were often forced to hide their identities from their families, friends, colleagues and in public to avoid the risk of being singled out, harassed or becoming a victim of violence."
  • Period: to

    The Victorian Age

    The gender roles were sharply defined - men were in the working sphere while women were in the private sphere overseeing the domestic duties. Men should not be in touch with their feminine side and women should not be intellectual (bluestocking). Therefore it would be difficult for same sex couples to be together.

  • Stop All The Clocks (Funeral Blues)

    Funeral Blues is a poem in which we assume that the lyrical I is a man writing to a man. It is a lovepoem and in that way it discusses the taboo of being a homosexual.

  • Men were allowed to be in a relationship

    After campaigns and groups fighting for the gay rights, the law is changed in 1967. After this men could not be put into prison for being in a gay relationship (still some cases of men being arrested).

  • Demonstrations

    A series of demonstrations in New York called the Stonewall riots happened and created the beginning of fighting for gay rights.

  • First gay festival

    The first festival for gay people took place in London and 2,000 people took part.

  • Section 28

    Section 28 was a law that said that teachers were not allowed to 'promote' gay relationships in schools. (the law was overruled in 2003)

  • Gay and bisexual people were allowed to be in the millitary

  • Gay couples were allowed to adopt

  • Allowed civil partnership

    A gay couple were allowed to have a civil partnership to get some of the same rights as married couples. Still not allowed to get married.

  • Hate crimes became illegal

    It became illegal to encourage homophobic hatred. Hate crimes became illegal but they still happen.

  • Gay marriage legalized

    Gay marriage was made legal in England and Wales, and later in Scotland. In Northern Ireland, gay marriage is not legal.