Topic Guide
Section 28
Short answer
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.
- Status
- reviewed
- Reviewed
- 19 May 2026
- Sources
- 7
- High trust
- 6
Curated Routes
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Overview
Section 28 inserted section 2A into the Local Government Act 1986. It applied to local authorities in England, Wales and Scotland, and became one of the most recognisable anti-LGBTQ+ laws in modern British history. Although its legal reach was narrow, its wording had a wider chilling effect in education, youth support, local government, libraries and public culture. Scotland repealed the provision in 2000 through the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000; England and Wales followed through section 122 of the Local Government Act 2003, with repeal taking effect in November 2003. The opposition to Section 28 helped galvanise LGBTQ+ campaigning, including the founding and growth of organisations focused on legal equality, education and public policy.
What the law said
Section 28 prevented 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.
Where it applied
The provision applied in England, Wales and Scotland. It did not apply to Northern Ireland. Scotland repealed it first in 2000, followed by England and Wales in 2003.
Why it matters
Section 28 became a symbol of state-backed stigma. Campaigns for repeal became part of a wider legal and cultural shift toward age-of-consent reform, military service equality, civil partnership, adoption rights, gender recognition and marriage equality.
Key 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.
