Tag: UK

What was Section 28 in England and Wales?
Section 28 was a controversial provision of the Local Government Act 1988 in England, Wales, and Scotland, which stated that a local authority “shall not intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with the intention of promoting homosexuality” or “promote the teaching in any maintained school of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship.”
Table of Contents
When was section 28 enacted?
What was section 28 called in Scotland?
When was section 28 scrapped?
When was section 28 enacted?

This provision, which was introduced during the conservative government of Margaret Thatcher and remained in force during the government of John Major, was widely criticized by LGBTQ+ rights activists, educators, and progressive politicians. They argued that the provision contributed to a culture of discrimination and prejudice against LGBTQ+ individuals, and had a chilling effect on the ability of schools and other organizations to provide support and resources to lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals.

Section 28 was eventually repealed in Scotland in 2000, and in the rest of the UK in 2003. Its repeal was seen as a significant victory for gay rights advocates, and paved the way for greater acceptance and legal recognition of the LGBTQ+ community in the UK.

Wokandapix / Pixabay

What was section 28 called in Scotland?

In Scotland, the provision known as “Section 28” was officially called Section 2A of the Local Government Act 1986, which was passed by the UK government under the leadership of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

Section 2A was identical to Section 28, which was introduced in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland by the Local Government Act 1988, during the same period of time. The provisions prohibited local authorities from “promoting homosexuality” or teaching “the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship.”

The section 2A provision was ended in Scotland before the rest of the UK, as it was repealed in 2000, two years before it was repealed in the rest of the country. The repeal of Section 28 in Scotland was seen as a significant victory for LGBTQ+ rights advocates, and paved the way for greater acceptance and legal recognition of the LGBTQ+ community in Scotland.

When was section 28 scrapped?

Section 28, a controversial provision of the Local Government Act 1988 in the United Kingdom that prohibited the promotion of homosexuality in schools and local authorities, was repealed on 18th November 2003. The repeal of Section 28 was a significant moment in the history of LGBTQ+ rights in the UK, and was widely celebrated by LGBTQ+ rights advocates and progressive politicians.

The repeal of Section 28 followed years of campaigning by LGBTQ+ rights activists, who argued that the provision contributed to a culture of discrimination and prejudice against LGBTQ+ individuals, and had a chilling effect on the ability of schools and other organizations to provide support and resources to LGBTQ+ individuals.

The repeal of Section 28 was seen as a significant step forward for LGBTQ+ rights in the UK, and paved the way for greater acceptance and legal recognition of the LGBTQ+ community. However, it is important to note that despite the repeal of Section 28, LGBTQ+ individuals in the UK still face discrimination and prejudice in many areas of life, and there is still work to be done to ensure full equality for all members of the community.
20th February 2023
6 awesome UK trans prides that are taking place in 2022 you have to know about

Specific transgender pride events are on the rise in the UK for our transgender siblings to show off their pride and be centred within their own events.

Here are the top six transgender pride you have to know about that are happening in 2022 right here in the UK.

Less than a decade ago there was no specific transgender pride events in the UK, now in 2022, there are over half a dozen, from Northern Ireland to Brighton. Our partner site, The Pride Shop has been keeping track of transgender prides in the UK.

Here are some of the transgender prides that are happening in July and beyond.

Where are the biggest trans pride events in the UK?

First on the list is Brighton’s Trans Pride which takes place on the 16th of July 2022, this is probably the most famous of the transgender prides in the UK and one of the longest-running. Brighton’s transgender pride has been running since 2013. It is a grass-roots, community-led organisation staffed entirely by unpaid volunteers

From one of the oldest events to one of the newest, Cornwall Pride in Newquay this year was dedicated to transgender people. It took place on the 14th of May 2022.

Trans prides happen all across the UK. They usually take place between March and July.

Trans Pride London is set to take place this year on the 9th of July, a week after Pride In London.

Trans Pride Southwest is an annual event which takes place in Bristol. Places are still being put together for its 2022 event. Its first event took place in 2019. During the pandemic, it ran a number of online and limited in-person events.

If you live in Northern Ireland you’ll be happy to know that there is usually Trans Pride in Belfast, however, a date is yet to be announced. Its first pride was marched in 2018. Unfortunately due to Covid-19, the last two events had to be cancelled. it is hoped that an event will take place in 2022.

There is a transgender pride in Scotland, however, it’s already had its march. In May a pride event took place in Paisley. Each year the Pride takes place in a different city in Scotland, in 2018 it was in Edinburgh, in 2019 it was in Dundee.

So why does Trans Pride exist in the UK?

As Brighton’s trans pride puts it, “Our aim is to inspire all trans, intersex, gender variant and queer people to help make a real difference by celebrating trans lives and gender diversity. We aim to educate and eliminate discrimination by promoting equality and diversity through visibility, while also celebrating our unique history,”

23rd June 2022
When is Pride Month 2022 and when is it in the UK?

As 2022 looks to be a more successful year for Pride due to the lifting of all COVID-19 restrictions, we look at when Pride Month 2022 is and what it stands for

After Pride season was all but wiped out in 2020 and for the majority if 2021 due to Coronavirus, it looks as though Pride in the UK is back with gusto for 2022.

Many prides decided to postpone their events in 2020 and in 2021, but the majority of prides in the UK are planning a summer return, although some have moved dates and locations. You can keep up to date with The Pride Shops Pride Calendar, which is updated weekly.

Officially Pride Month 2022 is in June to coincide with the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots and this year, prides across the UK will be celebrating an extra special anniversary, as it’s the 50th year of Pride in the UK.

Where did Pride Month originate?

Pride Month stemmed from the US, which has been adopted more widely across the world, but in reality, there are many Pride months across the globe. For instance, Sydney Mardi Gras, Australia’s biggest pride takes place in February (although they do have a Pride festival in June) and here in the UK, there isn’t such thing as one month for Pride. No, the UK is quite unusual in that Pride events are spread out across most of the year.

In the US most prides happen in the month of June to coincide with the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots, in the UK however things are a little more spread out with more and more county, city and town prides becoming available.

There are over 150 pride events in the UK alone and they start in Feb with the last (outside Winter Pride) in September. So Pride month in the UK is better described as Pride Half Year!

In 2019 the town of Llanelli in South Wales celebrated it’s first pride.

Want to know more about prides, see our entire collection of Pride articles here. Want to shop for Pride Merchandise, visit our partner retailer, THE PRIDE SHOP.

You can find out what pride events are going ahead in 2021, by visiting The Pride Shop’s Pride Calendar for 2021.

2nd June 2022
London’s longest-running men’s leather and fetish club set to close

The Backstreet was London‘s longest-running leather and fetish bar/club. It had been running for over 37 years. In a statement released on social media, the management team announced that the club was to close in July 2022

The announcement said,

“After an incredible 37 years, The Backstreet will be closing its doors for the last time on 17th July. John and all the staff would like to say how grateful we are for all the support our customers have given us throughout the years. The club could never have carried as long as it has without your loyalty. From all of us to all you of thank you.

The club which is set in London’s Mile End was established in 1985 when London’s gay scene was booming. Since 2000 THEGAYUK has been tracking London’s gay scene closures of which there have been over 110 LGBT+ venues closed. The Backstreet becomes the latest venue to close. During its time it hosted fetish social nights, life drawing classes, smoking and naked events.

Fans of the Backstreet shared their sadness at the news, with one fan suggesting that The Backstreet was one of the only social clubs in London to be truly accessible, saying, “You’re the one social club and play space all on one level, which made it the most accessible venue I’ve been to in the UK. Such a shame you’ve decided to close, rather than sell the business on!”

Another remarked how the fetish scene had been effectively “cleansed” writing, “Consider the scene fetishised cleansed, remember the battle to save Xxl from closing, even the judge, in that case, said there was homophobic play going from the foreign investors, we’ve allowed ourselves to be marginalised, pushed aside.”

While another added, “It is very sad news indeed. it is 30 years ago (since) I started going to the Backstreet. I was a young man still in my late teens. The UK has become sterile regarding fetish. Most good events are outside of the UK now. Depressing news.”

Another added how marginalised the leather and fetish community had become within the LGBT+ community writing, “This is a tragedy! Leather men have been pushed out of the London scene over the past 20 years. The anvil. Gone. The Colehearne. Gone. The London Apprentice. Gone. And now the BACKSTREET! Very sad news that will affect my life.”

31st May 2022
This is how you say Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer in British Sign Language

This week it’s Deaf Awareness week in the UK. So here’s how you say some important LGBT+ terms in British Sign Language.

A few years ago, Deaf Direct produced a video, just before Pride season, which included various British Sign Language signs to help everybody get to grasp with a few LGBT+ terms.

The video was created by Deaf Direct to “celebrate the diversity of our community”.

If you’ve ever wanted to know how to sign the words lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer, this simple video helps you say those words perfectly.

Do people in the UK use ASL or BSL?

William and Simon, who both appear in the video explain that in the UK we use BSL – rather than ASL (American Sign Language) and they take us through the gestures you need to make to say, in BSL, a few terms which identify LGBT+ folks.

How to say LGBT+ terms in British Sign Lanugauge

In the video the LGBT+ words and terms Simon and William demonstrate are:

Lesbian

Gay

Bisexual

Transgender

Queer

Straight

Leather

Bear

Drag

Pride Day

Happy Pride Day

Fabulous

So go learn how to say Happy Pride Day you Fabulous Queers

4th May 2022
Bristol Pride 2022 returns with 2 WEEK festival

Bristol Pride Festival 2022 announced

LGBT+ charity announces programme of events taking place over 2 weeks in June & July and a return to The Downs

Today, 3rd February the organisers of the award winning Bristol Pride Festival have confirmed that the annual event will return again this year in its original format after 2021 saw the event, like many others, have to adapt to restrictions in place at the time.

The popular festival’s return will span two weeks from Saturday 25th June – Sunday 10th July.

During the two weeks, the festival’s exciting programme of events will take place in venues across Bristol bringing the city alive with Pride as the charity also helps to support one of the hardest hit sectors, especially venues that are serving the LGBT+ community.

Pride Day will take place on Saturday 9th July and after a two year absence, will return to The Downs. The event will feature multiple stages and will attract some of the biggest names in live music and entertainment, plus showcasing new and emerging talent including performances from local artists and community groups.The line-up will be released over the coming months. Pride Day will also see a welcome return of the Pride Big Top, Youth Area, Family Zone and Community Area.

The LGBT+ community and its allies have spent so much time apart, organisers are thrilled to be able to put on events that will showcase the community and allow people to come together, to be proud, to protest and celebrate.

shauking / Pixabay

Eve Russell, Festival Director, Bristol Pride said:

“We are so excited to be working on delivering this year’s festival in person again and to be able to bring everyone back together to celebrate. The Pride Parade March will also make a physical return this year, louder and prouder than ever as we mark the 50th anniversary of the first pride march in the UK. The march is an integral part of what pride is and after two years of quiet streets, we’re excited to be filling the city with colour. It is a chance to be visible and, importantly, it serves as a reminder that the LGBT+ community continues to fight for equality.”

Other events to look out for across the two weeks of the festival include the return of Pride Night official after-parties plus the ever popular Dog Show, Comedy Night, a spectacular Circus Night, Theatre Night and Queer Vision Film Festival. Further details of the planned programme will be announced over the coming months.

Organisers are encouraging attendees to purchase a Supporter Wristband. Priced from £7, they enable future events like Pride Day to remain accessible to those, who for socio-economic reasons, may not be able to afford to attend an exclusively ticketed event. Wristbands are on sale now and include various offers including free bus travel on Pride Day, within the Bristol Zone, with First Bus and discounts at onsite bars.

Advance purchase of wristbands will speed up entry to the festival site, and the provision of contact details will allow organisers to advise of any changes to the entry policy due to covid restrictions.

Daryn Carter MBE, Director of Programming and Partnerships, said:

“The whole team are so excited to be working on our 2022 festival which will see our biggest ever line up as we return to The Downs for Pride Day. As well as the incredible events we are known for delivering across the two weeks of Pride, we have also been working behind the scenes over the last few months to commission exciting new works to showcase during the Festival.

I know that after being disconnected for so long it’s going to be very special to have everyone back together and share the love and support of our incredible community through our events and as we all take to the streets for the Parade March.”

For more information about Bristol Pride, how you can support the Festival, and all the latest news and events visit bristolpride.co.uk and sign up to the mailing list.

For more pride dates, visit ThePrideShop UK PRIDE 2022 CALENDAR: Pride dates for 2022

3rd February 2022
What is Pride Month and when is it in the UK?

As 2021 looks to be a more successful year for Pride across the UK, this is when it’s officially Pride Month in the UK.

After Pride season was all but wiped out in 2020 due to Coronavirus, here’s hoping 2021 will be a little more successful for local prides around the UK.

Many prides decided to postpone their events until 2021, so many will have the same theme or indeed entertainment acts and speakers that were planned for their 2020 festivals. Even now, many prides including Brighton Pride and Warwickshire, both are usually in August, have decided to cancel their events until 2022 at the earliest.

Officially Pride Month is in June in 2021 to coincide with the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.

Where did Pride Month originate?

Pride Month stemmed from the US, which has been adopted more widely across the world, but in reality, there are many Pride months across the globe. For instance, Sydney Mardi Gras, Australia’s biggest pride takes place in February (although they do have a Pride festival in June) and here in the UK, there isn’t such thing as one month for Pride.

In the US most prides happen in the month of June to coincide with the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots, in the UK however things are a little more spread out with more and more county, city and town prides becoming available.

There are over 150 pride events in the UK alone and they start in Feb with the last (outside Winter Pride) in September. So Pride month in the UK is better described as Pride Half Year!

In 2019 the town of Llanelli in South Wales celebrated it’s first pride.

Want to know more about prides, see our entire collection of Pride articles here. Want to shop for Pride Merchandise, visit our partner retailer, THE PRIDE SHOP.

You can find out what pride events are going ahead in 2021, by visiting The Pride Shop’s Pride Calendar for 2021.

2nd June 2021
Where Can I Buy Poppers In Glasgow, Scotland?

Are poppers / room aromas legal in Scotland

First off, yes Poppers are a legal drug in Scotland and across the UK. This became a legal sticking point in 2016 when Poppers and their legality were up for debate in the parliament.

However, if you’re in the need of picking up aromas right now in Glasgow, you might find that your pickings are rather short, but there are a few high locations that you can try out.

Firstly, you can try Luke and Jack can be found in the city at 45 Virginia Street, Glasgow, G1 1TS. You can also buy Poppers at the Pipeworks Gay Sauna, which is located right by the Clyde River.

However, if you’re looking for a more online option, you can always buy poppers online. A number of shops exist that sell room aromas. The shop, THEGAYSHOP has a wide variety.

Are poppers legal in the UK?

CREDIT: TheGayUK

It is completely legal to consume and sell poppers in the UK. In 2017 there were fears that the Conservative government would outlaw their sale and usage, however, poppers were proven to not be a psychoactive substance and so the government made a U-turn and decided against making the liquid illegal.

If you’re wondering whether poppers are safe to use, then read our advice on them here.

What else is LGBT+ in Scotland?

Glasgow has a number of LGBT+ / gay venues including Saunas and Bars, Pride and much more in the Glasgow area.

10th May 2021
Where Can I Buy Poppers In Edinburgh, Scotland?

Are poppers / room aromas legal in Scotland

First off, yes Poppers are a legal drug in Scotland and across the UK. This became a legal sticking point in 2016 when Poppers and their legality were up for debate in the parliament.

However, if you’re in the need of picking up aromas right now in Edinburgh, you might find that your pickings are rather short, but there are a few high locations that you can try out.

Firstly, Qstore can be found in the city at 5 Barony Street, EH3, 6PD. There’s also Private Lines, which is located at 60 Elm Rw, EH7 4AQ.

You can also try the local gay sauna, one is called The Pound which is located at 5 Broughton Market, Phone number: 0131 477 3567.

However, if you’re looking for a more online option, you can always buy poppers online. A number of shops exist that sell room aromas. The shop, THEGAYSHOP has a wide variety.

Are poppers legal in the UK?

CREDIT: TheGayUK

It is completely legal to consume and sell poppers in the UK. In 2017 there were fears that the Conservative government would outlaw their sale and usage, however, poppers were proven to not be a psychoactive substance and so the government made a U-turn and decided against making the liquid illegal.

If you’re wondering whether poppers are safe to use, then read our advice on them here.

What else is LGBT+ in Scotland?

Edinburgh has a number of LGBT+ / gay venues including Sauna and Bars in the Edinburgh area.

10th May 2021
What date is Manchester Pride in 2021?

The dates for Manchester Pride have been announced by the organisers and it’s in its normal date slot at the end of August 2021.

In keeping with tradition, Manchester Pride has announced that it is returning to the streets of Manchester on the 27th-30th August 2021, after it was forced to cancel its events in 2020, due to COVID-19.

Dates for Manchester Pride 2021

The charity is planning to hold its flagship Manchester Pride Festival, in partnership with Virgin Atlantic, in its regular spot in the city’s calendar from Friday 27 August until Monday 30 August.

On 22nd February the UK Prime Minister outlined England’s roadmap out of lockdown, offering hope that live events will return this summer. But with the pandemic always front of mind, the team which works year-round to organise the four-day festival, has indicated that it has alternative exciting plans which can be activated if the proposed dates for the roadmap out of lockdown change.

The four day event, which brings thousands of people to the city centre each year, is set to return for another weekend of campaigning, celebrating and fundraising for LGBTQ+ life, featuring activism, equality, youth and family, arts and culture, community and partying!

The team behind the festival is working towards the delivery of a programme that includes all of the traditional elements expected by visitors with some tweaks and allowances for the new restrictions as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic.

The biggest difference will be a reduced capacity MCR Pride Live, which in response to audience feedback will be held at a smaller venue to ensure that the event is accessible, safe and viable.

With the safety and comfort of festival-goers, artists, stakeholders, artists and the Manchester Pride team the event’s capacity will be reduced by 50%. The venue for the event will be revealed later on this year.

© kevers Depositphotos

Manchester Pride 2021 will be made up of:

THE GAY VILLAGE PARTY, 27 – 30 August 2021

MCR PRIDE LIVE, 28 – 29 August 2021

MANCHESTER PRIDE PARADE, 28 August 2021

THE CANDLELIT VIGIL, 30 August 2021

SUPERBIA WEEKEND, 28 – 29 August 2021

HUMAN RIGHTS FORUM, 29 August 2021

YOUTH PRIDE MCR, 29 August 2021

FAMILY PRIDE MCR, 28 August 2021+ MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED

Mark Fletcher, CEO of Manchester Pride, said; “Manchester Pride is proud to part of a global Pride movement that celebrates advancements in equality and challenges discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ people. As both a charity and organisers one of the UK’s largest Pride festivals, we had to fight for our survival throughout 2020.

“Having to postpone the Manchester Pride Festival in 2020 was necessary but extremely hard for myself and the team and I am so pleased that we are able to plan for an event in 2021. Naturally there is some uncertainty over what will happen in the coming months but we have to plan now in order to be able to deliver a festival of this scale.

“We are confident that by reducing the capacity of MCR Pride Live we can deliver the event, as long as the government’s plans for vaccinations and reopening of events and hospitality remain on track. With the health and safety of everyone involved our key priority, we remain cautiously optimistic and have plans in place to respond to a number of potential scenarios.

“Whatever happens Manchester Pride will deliver a celebration of LGBTQ+ life in Greater Manchester this August and we will do everything we can to make it a Covid safe, live, in-person event across the city. If this just isn’t possible then we will host an alternative, innovative, world-class celebration that incorporates socially distanced events and digital elements to ensure that LGBTQ+ people in Greater Manchester can come together to celebrate and ensure that our campaign for greater LGBTQ+ equality continues at this vital time.”

Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Atlantic commented; “We’re delighted that the Manchester Pride Festival is back for 2021 uniting people to celebrate LGBTQ+ culture. It’s been a difficult year for everyone and we look forward to working with Mark and the team to bring this much-loved festival safely back to the heart of Manchester.”

“Virgin Atlantic has long been staunch supporters of LGBTQ+ rights and we strongly believe in making our business as inclusive and welcoming as possible. Although we haven’t been flying as many passengers as we’d like over the last year, we certainly haven’t been sitting still. We are working with Open for Business to show the economic impact that anti-LGBTQ+ laws have on countries around the world and how these laws restrict tourism and limit growth. In a post-Covid world, as travel and tourism recovers, it’s more important than ever for destinations to be open and welcoming to everyone.

“It’s an exciting time for us and as travel restrictions relax, we look forward to welcoming people back on board Virgin Atlantic, flying them safely from Manchester to their favourite destinations including Orlando, Barbados, New York, Los Angeles, Islamabad (where homosexuality is illegal) and Atlanta.”

Tickets for all events, from Superbia Weekend to Youth Pride MCR, will be released over the coming months. For those who bought tickets for the events due to take place in 2020 tickets were automatically rolled over to 2021. Should the event be cancelled or rescheduled, all tickets will be automatically rolled over to 2022. Anyone who does not wish to roll forward their ticket will have the option for a refund of the face value of the ticket.

For more information about the festival visit www.manchesterpride.com.

26th February 2021
What date is Pride In London 2021?

The dates for Pride In London have been announced by the organisers and it’s in a completely new month. Normally Pride In London takes place in the middle of the summer around the end of June or the beginning of July.

However, Pride In London 2021 will take place in early September, to help create a lengthy gap between when the government hopes large scale events can start again, on the 21st June and its own event, the biggest Pride Parade in the UK.

New date for Pride In London 2021

Today Pride In London confirmed that the new date for London’s very own pride would be the 11th September 2021.

Following the UK Government’s recently announced timetable for easing of lockdown restrictions, Pride in London – the UK’s largest Pride event – will be returning to the capital on the weekend of 11th September 2021.

Michael Salter-Church MBE and Alison Camps, Co-Chairs of Pride in London, said, “We’re delighted to announce that Pride in London will take place on the weekend of the 11th September. Now we have the roadmap from the Government, we’re working closely with the Mayor’s office, Westminster City Council and other key bodies in London to finalise what our plans will look like. We’ll be announcing further details of the event, including what format it will take and how to participate or volunteer, in due course. We will continue to monitor and adhere to the necessary health guidance.

“Naturally we can’t wait to bring all of our wonderful communities together again and stand with them to champion LGBT+ rights across the capital and beyond. In addition to the plans for September, we’re working on a way to appropriately mark Pride’s traditional anniversary in the summer.

“In the meantime, our communities have their final chance today to complete our short consultation survey and let us know what they’d like to see from Pride in London this year.”

26th February 2021