History of LGBTQIA+ Equality and Civil Rights

This page highlights some of the main changes in UK law that impacted in a positive or negative way on the rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender, Transsexual, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, Agender and Non-binary peoples human and civil rights. This form part of an exhibition created by Medway Pride CIC which will eventually include oral and written histories about how these changed in law affected the lives of individual members of the community in Medway, Kent and surrounding area.

1 Medway Pride 26 History Month Exhibition

Medway Pride 2026 LGBTQIA+ History Exhibition. This exhibition looks at the changes in UK Law, and equality rights for Lesbian,

1957 The Wolfenden report

Introducing the Wolfenden report. In 1885, the Criminal Law Amendment Act made homosexual acts between men illegal, and by 1954,

1967 Sex in private between two men for over 21 legalised in England

The Sexual Offences Act 1967 was a landmark piece of legislation, that partially decriminalized homosexual acts between men in England and Wales. While

1970 Divorce court rules sex cannot be legally changed

The 1970s court case on recognition of gender for trans people.. The judgment in the 1970 English High Court case, known

1980 Sex in private between two men over 21 legalised in Scotland

1980, - Sex in private between two men aged 21+ legalised in Scotland. Male same-sex sexual activity was legalised in Scotland

1981 ECHR Gay Human Rights Judgement

In the landmark 1981 case of Dudgeon vs United Kingdom, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ruled that Northern Ireland’s

1988 section 28 makes it illegal to promote homosexuality

1988 section 28 makes it illegal to promote homosexuality. Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988 was a controversial British law

1992 WHO declassified homosexuality as a mental illness

1992 WHO declassified homosexuality as a mental illness. The World Health Organization (WHO) officially declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder on May 17,

1994 Age of consent for gay men lowered to 18

1994 Age of consent for gay men lowered to 18 In 1994, the United Kingdom lowered the age of consent for

1997 protections for trans people against unfair dismissal and discrimination

1997 protections for trans people against unfair dismissal and discrimination. In 1997, transgender rights saw significant legal and social milestones

1998 MPs’ attempt to lower age of consent to 16 blocked by the Lords

1998 MPs’ attempt to lower age of consent to 16 blocked by the Lords In 1998, a significant attempt was

1999 to 2000 ECHR rules UK Army’s ‘gay ban’ violates Human Rights.

1999 to 2000 ECHR rules UK Army’s ‘gay ban’ violates Human Rights. In 1999 and 2000, a series of landmark

2000 Scottish Government repeals Section 28

2000 Scottish Government repeals Section 28. In 2000, the newly established Scottish Parliament made the historic decision to repeal Section 28 (known as Section

2001 Age of Consent becomes 16 in Great Britain and 17 in Northern Ireland

2001 Age of Consent becomes 16 in Great Britain and 17 in Northern Ireland. In 2001, the age of consent

2002 ECHR rules UK should allow trans people to change birth certificate

2002 ECHR rules UK should allow trans people to change birth certificate. In 2002, the European Court of Human Rights

2003 Section 28 repealed in England Wales and Northern Ireland

2003 Section 28 repealed in England Wales and Northern Ireland. Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988, which prohibited

2004 Gender Recognition Act

2004 Gender Recognition Act . The Gender Recognition Act 2004 (GRA) was a landmark piece of UK legislation that enabled transgender adults

2005 Same sex couples given right to adopt

2005 Same sex couples given right to adopt. In 2005, the legal right for same-sex couples to jointly apply for

2005 Tougher sentences for offences motivated by victims’ sexuality

2005 Tougher sentences for offences motivated by victims’ sexuality. In 2005, the legal landscape for addressing hate crimes in England

2006 EU rules trans women should receive their pension in the UK

2006 EU rules trans women should receive their pension in the UK. In 2006, a landmark ruling by the European Court

2007 Refusing service on grounds of sexual orientation outlawed

2007 Refusing service on grounds of sexual orientation outlawed. The Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007 (SI 2007/1263) were landmark secondary regulations

2008 Same sex couples can be legal parents of kids conceived artificially

2008 Same sex couples can be legal parents of kids conceived artificially. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 transformed legal parenthood

2010 Gender reassignment becomes protected characteristic in EQ2010

2010 Gender reassignment becomes protected characteristic in EQ2010. In the Equality Act 2010, gender reassignment was established as one of the

2013 Same sex marriage legalised in England and Wales

2013 Same sex marriage legalised in England and Wales. The legalisation of same-sex marriage in England and Wales was achieved through

2014 Same Sex Marriage Legalised In Scotland

2014 Same Sex Marriage Legalised In Scotland Same-sex marriage became legal in Scotland in 2014 through the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland)

2017 Posthumous pardon for English and Welsh men convicted for being gay

2017 Posthumous pardon for English and Welsh men convicted for being gay. In 2017, the UK government enacted a provision

2018 Scotland pardons All men, living and dead convicted for being gay

2018 Scotland pardons All men, living and dead convicted for being gay. In 2018, the Scottish Parliament passed the Historical Sexual

2020 Same Sex marriage legalised in Northern Ireland

2020 Same Sex marriage legalised in Northern Ireland. Same-sex marriage became legally recognised in Northern Ireland on 13 January 2020, following the Northern

2025 Supreme Court rules woman = biological woman in the Equality Act

2025 Supreme Court rules woman = biological woman in the Equality Act. On 16 April 2025, the UK Supreme Court delivered