Direct Answer
What was Section 28?
Direct answer
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.
- Status
- reviewed
- Reviewed
- 19 May 2026
- Sources
- 7
- High trust
- 6
Curated Routes
Appears in these journeys
Use a journey when this direct answer needs wider historical context.
Explanation
Section 28 inserted section 2A into the Local Government Act 1986. It applied in England, Wales and Scotland, but not Northern Ireland. In practice, its significance went beyond narrow legal enforcement: it created a chilling effect around LGBTQ+ inclusion in schools, youth services, libraries and local authority work. Scotland repealed it in 2000 through the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000. England and Wales repealed it through section 122 of the Local Government Act 2003, with repeal taking effect in November 2003. The campaign against Section 28 became a major organising point for LGBTQ+ legal equality and education reform.
Timeline Evidence
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Section 28 Repealed (Scotland)
Scotland repealed section 2A through section 34 of the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc.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Section 28 Repealed (England, Wales)
Section 122 of the Local Government Act 2003 repealed section 2A of the Local Government Act 1986 in England and Wales.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.
