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'[Thatcher] Is Privatising Homosexuality. Well I for One Intend To

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'[Thatcher] Is Privatising Homosexuality. Well I for One Intend To Homosexual Relations and the Law in Britain from the Sexual Offences Act 1967 to the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 *Kate Pielow 110083847 [email protected] History (V100) Dr. Martin Farr Introduction: Having received its Royal Assent on 17 July 2013, the first marriages of same-sex couples will take place by Summer 2014. As this is a very recent development in LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) equality, the passing of the bill suggests that though this is a positive step forward, there is still a way to go until full equality, if possible, can be achieved. Aims & Objectives: • To undertake research into homosexual relations in terms of legal processes and societal attitudes, through use of a funded visit to the Hall-Carpenter Archives, housed at the London School of Economics. The Hall-Carpenter Archives, founded in 1980 and named after Marguerite Radclyffe Hall and Edward Carpenter, is the United Kingdom’s national lesbian, gay and bisexual archive. • The time period of my research aimed to begin with the Sexual Offences Act 1967 and concluding with the Conclusions: Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013. • Homosexuality was made punishable by death in the Buggery Act 1533 with the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1855 tightening the law on homosexual relations. • To provide a background to homosexuality within the United Kingdom including knowledge of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885 and Wolfenden Report 1957. • Wolfenden Report 1957 recommended ‘homosexual behaviour between consenting adults in private should no longer be a criminal offence’. These recommendations were put into practice a • Include various areas within my research including key legal processes, events and individuals, resistance to decade later with the backbench bill, Sexual Offences Act 1967 partially decriminalising reform and international context. homosexuality. • Section 28 of the Local Government Act introduced 1988 under Margaret Thatcher stating ‘[Thatcher] is privatising homosexuality. Well I for one intend to homosexuality should not be promoted. Repealed by Blair in 2003. Led to rise in groups such take out shares.’ -Ian McKellen on Section 28 as Stonewall. • Age of consent finally became equal for all in 2000. • UK Government published Civil Partnership Bill, with the first partnerships taking place on 21 December 2005. • The Government’s Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill receives Queen’s approval July 2013, facing strident opposition throughout legal process. 2013: Marriage 2000: Sexual Offences (Same Sex 1970: Gay 1957: Wolfenden 1967: Sexual Amendment Act makes Couples) Act 1533: Buggery Liberation Front 1972: Gay News, 1988: Section 28 Report Offences Act common age of consent legalises same sex Act made male hold first gay rights first homosexual against promotion recommended partially 1974: First 1990: to 16, equal for first time 2004: Civil marriage, with the homosexuality demonstration in newspaper, founded of homosexuality decriminalisation of decriminalised international gay OutRage! -Section 28 repealed in Partnership first marriages to be punishable by Highbury Fields, -First UK in schools & other homosexual homosexuality rights conference, formed by Scotland Bill published carried out by death London Pride Festival areas activities Edinburgh Peter Tatchell -Ban on homosexuals and became Summer 2014 and others serving in Armed law Forces lifted 1855: Criminal Law 1994: Criminal 1971: CHE changed 1979: First Home Office 1989:Stonewall 2003: Section Amendment Act made 1958: 1969: Committee 1973: First Justice and 2005: Civil to Campaign for recommendation to formed by Ian 28 repealed in all homosexual acts Homosexual for Homosexual national gay Public Order Act Partnerships Homosexual Equality lower age of consent McKellen and England and illegal, even those in Law Reform Equality formed rights conference lowers age of came into effect -First gay march in for homosexual activities others Wales private Society formed -Stonewall riots in held by CHE in consent for gay with first London, protest against to 18 New York Morecambe men to 18 registrations age of consent for gay men .
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