No one is equal until all are equal

This, our third Pride 2021 blog, looks at the issues of freedom and equality (in the UK context). By the way, you can still check out our first two blog on the history of Pride and cinema to be proud of.

Let’s look at some points of progress (and regress), what’s happening right now, and give you the opportunity to take action.

Some landmarks…

1967
The Sexual Offences Act partially decriminalises sex between two men over 21.

1969
The Stonewall riots in the US triggers the modern LGBT movement.

1972
London’s first Pride.

1981
The first recorded UK case of AIDS. In 1983 men who have sex with men are asked not to donate to UK blood banks.

1988
Margaret Thatcher introduces Section 28 which stated among other things that local authorities should not "promote… the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship".

1992
WHO declassifies same-sex attraction as a mental illness.

2001
Age of consent lowered to 16 for men who have sex with men (from 18 in 1992).

2003
Section 28 repealed in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations becomes law, making it illegal to discriminate against lesbians, gay and bi people in the workplace.

2004
The Civil Partnership Act 2004 allows same-sex couples the same rights and responsibilities as married CIS straight couples.

The Gender Recognition Act 2004 is passed giving trans people full legal recognition in their appropriate gender.

2010
The Equality Act 2010 officially adds gender reassignment as a protected characteristic. Ban on lesbian, gay and bi people in the military is lifted.

2014
The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 officially comes into force, allowing marriage between same sex couples.

While there has clearly been progress historic progress in the UK, today hate crime is rife. In the past year… 

• There has been a 20% rise in reports to police of homophobic hate crime

• One in five LGBT people have experienced a hate crime

• Two in five trans people have experienced a hate crime

• One in eight trans people have been physically attacked at work.

How can you help?

Firstly, thank you for anything you do already to protect those rights already won and to bring greater equality. We know that any hard-won freedom can easily be lost. And that’s one reason why our chosen charity for Pride month is UK Black pride.

Please do join us in supporting their work, or consider recommitting to any other causes you  support already.

Thanks so much.

Bio

Tim is an Executive Producer at DTV Group, where heads up a range of our global not-for-profit clients. He also heads up the agency’s work on Diversity and Inclusion.