Gay History

1885
The offence of "gross indecency" was created, making all sexual acts between men illegal. Previously the only law on gay sex was the prohibition of sodomy (which applied equally to heterosexuals).

1967
The Sexual Offence Act decriminalises gay sex for males over the age of 21 (compared to 16 for heterosexuals and lesbians).

October 1970
London Gay Liberation Front is formed after a meeting at the London School of Economics.

July 1972
London GLF organises the UK's first Gay Pride march, with 700 people marching through the capital.

May 1988
Section 28 is introduced by Margaret Thatcher's conservative government as part of the Local Government Bill. Section 28 banned the "promotion" of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship by local authorities.

1989
The Stonewall Group is set up in response to Section 28. Also Denmark becomes the first country to legalise gay marriage.

1994
Age of consent for gay men reduced to 18.

May 1997
Culture Secretary Chris Smith becomes the first openly gay cabinet minister when Labour win the general election.

1998
One of the most famous and brutal homophobic murders takes place in Wyoming, USA when two men kill Matthew Shepherd. The story of the murder is now a play and film called The Laramie Project.

September 1999
The ban on gays serving in the armed forces is overturned by the European Court of Human Rights after a battle between the Ministry of Defence and four former military personnel.

June 2000
The Scottish parliament abolishes section 28.

January 2000
The Commons passes legislation to repeal section 28 in England and Wales. The move is defeated by bishops and Tories in the Lords.

January 2001
Age of consent lowered to 16.

September 2001
The first same-sex couples register is set up which is seen as the first step on the road to equality of partnership rights.

October 2002
Same-sex couples are given the right to adopt children jointly.

January 2003
Another attempt to repeal section 28 is passed through the House of Commons.

June 2003
Gene Robinson becomes the first openly gay bishop in US. The appointment of the first openly gay bishop in Britain sparks a row that threatens to split Church of England.

June 2003
Government publishes proposals to give gay couples legal status that will see them 'married in all but name'. Shortly afterwards come proposals for recognition of the real gender of transsexuals.

November 2003
Section 28 is finally defeated in the House of Lords.