200 Years of LGBTQIA+ History

From Shadows to Pride — UK & Global Timeline

24 May 1988

Section 28 Introduced (England, Wales, Scotland)

Discrimination Legal UK Education

Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988 inserted section 2A into the Local Government Act 1986. It prohibited local authorities from intentionally promoting homosexuality, publishing material intended to promote homosexuality, or promoting teaching in maintained schools that presented homosexuality as an acceptable family relationship.

Impact & Significance

Section 28 gave legal force to state-backed stigma and helped create a chilling effect around LGBTQ+ inclusion in local government, libraries, youth services and schools.

Reference Record

Date
24 May 1988
Era
1970-1989
Sources
1

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Topic Guides

Section 28 Section 28 was a provision of the Local Government Act 1988 that restricted local authorities from intentionally promoting homosexuality or teaching the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship.

Questions This Event Helps Answer

Q What was Section 28? Section 28 was a provision of the Local Government Act 1988 that restricted local authorities from promoting homosexuality or teaching that same-sex relationships were acceptable as family relationships.

Related Events

1988 Sir Ian McKellen Comes Out on BBC Radio 1988 Pride Protest Against Section 28 1989 Stonewall UK Formed 2000 Section 28 Repealed (Scotland) 2003 Section 28 Repealed (England, Wales) 2024 Greece Legalises Same-Sex Marriage 2024 Thailand Passes Marriage Equality Act 2024 Japanese Courts Continue to Rule Same-Sex Marriage Ban Unconstitutional 2025 Thailand's Marriage Equality Act Takes Effect

Sources

Local Government Act 1988, Section 28 as enacted legal The National Archives / legislation.gov.uk
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