Ten years ago, Section 28 was repealed

My friend Monty (Cheif Exec at London Friend) talks about Section 28 on the tenth anniversary of the legislation’s repeal:

Today marks the 10^th anniversary of the repeal of the infamous Section 28, the pernicious piece of UK legislation that blighted the lives of lesbian, gay and bisexual people for almost two decades. The clause – a late insertion into the Local Government Bill – prohibited local authorities from ‘promoting’ homosexuality and prevented maintained schools from teaching on the ‘acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship’.

The clause was introduced on the back of right wing concerns that by funding support groups and services for lesbian, gay and bisexual people local authorities were somehow ‘promoting’ being LGB to influential young people. London Friend had already caused a fuss by being the beneficiary of such funding from Islington Council – the first ever gay-run group to receive such support.

It’s gone now, but the impact it had on the lives of many should never be forgotten.