Timeline of LGBT history in Britain
Well, kiddo, a long time ago in Britain, people didn't really talk about being gay or transgender or any of those things we talk about now. It was kind of viewed as something that was bad or wrong, and some people were even punished for it.
But over time, things started to change. In the 1800s, some people started to speak out about their same-sex attractions and formed secret communities, like the "molly houses" or "gay brothels". But at that time it was against the law and these people could be arrested and sent to prison, or even executed!
Then, in 1967, something called the Sexual Offences Act was passed. This meant that it was no longer against the law to be gay, but it was still something people felt they had to hide because of the way society felt about it. Even though the law had changed, many people still faced discrimination.
Over time, people started standing up and speaking out about their rights. In the 1970s, the first ever UK gay rights group was formed, called the Gay Liberation Front. This group campaigned for equal rights for LGBT+ people, including the right to marry, adopt children and not be discriminated against.
It wasn't until the late 1990s that the government started to make real progress on LGBT+ rights. In 2000, they introduced civil partnerships which meant that same-sex couples could have their partnerships legally recognised. Then, in 2004, the Gender Recognition Act was passed which meant that transgender people could have their legal gender changed.
More recently, in 2013, same-sex marriage was legalised in England and Wales, followed by Scotland in 2014 and Northern Ireland in 2020. Plus, in 2017, the first openly gay prime minister, Theresa May, was elected.
So, that's a brief history of LGBT+ rights in Britain, and how things have changed over time to become more accepting and inclusive of different types of people, no matter who they love or how they identify.
But over time, things started to change. In the 1800s, some people started to speak out about their same-sex attractions and formed secret communities, like the "molly houses" or "gay brothels". But at that time it was against the law and these people could be arrested and sent to prison, or even executed!
Then, in 1967, something called the Sexual Offences Act was passed. This meant that it was no longer against the law to be gay, but it was still something people felt they had to hide because of the way society felt about it. Even though the law had changed, many people still faced discrimination.
Over time, people started standing up and speaking out about their rights. In the 1970s, the first ever UK gay rights group was formed, called the Gay Liberation Front. This group campaigned for equal rights for LGBT+ people, including the right to marry, adopt children and not be discriminated against.
It wasn't until the late 1990s that the government started to make real progress on LGBT+ rights. In 2000, they introduced civil partnerships which meant that same-sex couples could have their partnerships legally recognised. Then, in 2004, the Gender Recognition Act was passed which meant that transgender people could have their legal gender changed.
More recently, in 2013, same-sex marriage was legalised in England and Wales, followed by Scotland in 2014 and Northern Ireland in 2020. Plus, in 2017, the first openly gay prime minister, Theresa May, was elected.
So, that's a brief history of LGBT+ rights in Britain, and how things have changed over time to become more accepting and inclusive of different types of people, no matter who they love or how they identify.