1998
Bolton 7 Case Concludes
Discrimination Legal UK Compensation
A group of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, later known as the Bolton 7, were convicted for gross indecency and subsequently awarded compensation following a campaign.
Impact & Significance
Highlighted judicial failings and catalysed public and legal debate about outdated sexual offence laws.
Reference Record
- Date
- 1998
- Era
- 1990-1999
- Sources
- 2
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Questions This Event Helps Answer
Q When was homosexuality decriminalised in the UK? The Sexual Offences Act 1967 partially decriminalised consensual sex between men in England and Wales, but UK-wide reform happened in stages and equality was not achieved by that Act alone. Q How did UK law criminalise homosexuality before 1967? Before 1967, English and Welsh law criminalised male same-sex intimacy through buggery and gross indecency offences, with punishments ranging from execution to imprisonment. Q How did UK age-of-consent reform change LGBTQ+ law? It moved the law from partial decriminalisation toward equal treatment by lowering and then equalising the age of consent.
