Law Reference
Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988
Short answer
Section 28 was a provision inserted by the Local Government Act 1988 that restricted local authorities from intentionally promoting homosexuality or promoting teaching that presented homosexuality as an acceptable family relationship.
- Status
- reviewed
- Reviewed
- 20 May 2026
- Sources
- 7
- High trust
- 6
Curated Routes
Appears in these journeys
Use a journey when this legal reference is part of a wider reform story.
Overview
Section 28 inserted section 2A into the Local Government Act 1986. It became one of the best-known anti-LGBTQ+ legal provisions in modern British history, not only because of its statutory wording but because of its wider chilling effect on local government, education, libraries, youth services and public culture.
Key Dates
- enacted
- 24 May 1988
- repealed
- 18 November 2003
Restriction on local authorities
The provision restricted local authorities from intentionally promoting homosexuality, publishing material with that intention, or promoting teaching in maintained schools that presented homosexuality as an acceptable family relationship.
Territorial repeal
Scotland repealed the provision through section 34 of the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000. England and Wales repealed it through section 122 of the Local Government Act 2003.
Related Timeline Events
Sir Ian McKellen Comes Out on BBC Radio
In 1988, amid fierce controversy over the passage of Section 28, acclaimed actor Sir Ian McKellen publicly came out as gay during a BBC Radio discussion. His decision to speak openly became a defining moment in British public life, lending significant visibility and credibility to the campaign against discriminatory legislation.
Pride Protest Against Section 28
The introduction of Section 28 in 1988, which banned local authorities from promoting homosexuality, was met with fierce protests at Pride events across the UK. Activists organised large-scale demonstrations that galvanised the community and drew widespread public attention to the fight against discriminatory legislation.
Section 28 Introduced (England, Wales, Scotland)
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.
Stonewall UK Formed
Founded in 1989 by prominent figures including Sir Ian McKellen, Michael Cashman and Lisa Power, Stonewall UK was established as a direct response to the introduction of Section 28. It quickly became the leading advocacy organisation for LGBTQ+ rights in the UK.
Section 28 Repealed (Scotland)
Scotland repealed section 2A through section 34 of the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000. This removed the Scottish version of the Section 28 restriction ahead of repeal in England and Wales.
Section 28 Repealed (England, Wales)
Section 122 of the Local Government Act 2003 repealed section 2A of the Local Government Act 1986 in England and Wales. The repeal ended the statutory restriction that had become widely known as Section 28.
David Cameron Apologises for Section 28
In 2009, Conservative Party leader David Cameron publicly apologised on behalf of his party for the introduction of Section 28, the legislation that had banned the promotion of homosexuality by local authorities. This apology marked a significant moment of political accountability and signalled a shift in the party's approach to LGBTQ+ issues.
