The (In)visibility of LGBTQ+ People
Prof. Dominic Janes explores the ways in which British cartoonists, notably those published in the British print media, have depicted LGBTQ people since the passing of the Sexual Offences Act 1967.
The pressures of the World Wars disrupted traditional roles for men and women, but public attitudes to LGBTQ people continued to swerve between wry amusement and moral panic. The Wolfenden Committee’s 1957 recommendation to decriminalise male homosexuality was partly implemented a decade later in England and Wales. Trans individuals found themselves the subject of lurid exposés. Progressive views, including lesbian and gay liberation, were mocked as deriving from a trendy leftist elite.
Newspapers that supported Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s blend of free-market capitalism and social conservatism mocked the influence of ‘poofters’ (offensive slang for queers) on so-called ‘loony left’ Labour councils and championed Section 28 that attempted to ban the ‘promotion’ of homosexuality. The AIDS crisis stoked popular fears but also pushback from a new wave of queer activists. As a result, LGBTQ issues came into the mainstream of political debate and became a popular topic for cartoons which were all too often racist and sexist as well as homo- and transphobic.
The death of Princess Diana, seen as a champion of progressive causes, in 1997, happened at the same time as the Labour Party came back into power and launched a range of human rights initiatives. Change was spurred on by cases taken before the European Court of Human Rights and resulted in particularly entrenched opposition to the inclusion of openly lesbian and gay people in the military.
The Civil Partnership Act (2004) allowed same-sex civil unions but debates about the ‘sacredness’ of marriage held up further legislative change. In 2010 the Conservatives were only able to secure a majority in Parliament by signing an agreement with the centrist Liberal Democrats. This resulted in the marginalisation of the political right-wing and, in 2013, same-sex marriage was duly legalised in England and Wales followed, shortly after by Scotland. Opposition centred not only on legal issues, but also on matters of personal faith, morality and attitudes to nature; as a result, the Church of England was prohibited from performing these ceremonies.
Mike Freer, Conservative MP for Finchley and Golders Green, in ‘Gay marriage debate in quotes’, The Guardian, 6 February 2013
Image: Grizelda Grizlingham, "Say what you like about gay marriage - I've completely forgotten about our dier [sic] financial situation.", The Spectator, 31 May 2013 [GGD0545]
Attitudes toward LGBTQ people are much more favourable in the United Kingdom today than they were in the 20th century. At the same time, there have been concerted moves to roll back reforms that have been labelled ‘politically correct’ or ‘woke’ particularly in relation to trans issues. The repeal of the Human Rights Act and withdrawal of Britain from the European Court of Human Rights remain central to projects aimed at reversing the progressive LGBTQ agenda.
BBC News,16 April 2025
The Buggery Act makes anal sex between men a hanging offence in England and Wales.
The last executions take place in London for sex between men.
The Wolfenden Report recommends decriminalisation of sex between consenting adult men in private.
Image: Carl Giles, "Definitely a case for Sir John Wolfenden", Daily Express, 17 May 1962
The Sexual Offences Act decriminalises sex between men over the age of 21, but it only applies in England and Wales, and excludes the armed forces.
The first official gay pride rally takes place in London.
Image: NB [Neil Bennett], "Mum! You're embarrassing me!", The Times, 30 June 2007
Sex between men is decriminalised in Scotland.
Sex between men is decriminalised in Northern Ireland as a result of a case in the European Court of Human Rights.
Section 28 of the Local Government Act makes it illegal for such bodies and their employees including teachers to 'intentionally promote homosexuality'.
The age of sexual consent for gay men in England and Wales is lowered to 18.
The Human Rights Act incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights into domestic UK law.
Image: Dave Gaskill, [no caption], The Sun, 23 Jul 1998
Discrimination against trans people by employers is banned by the Sex Discrimination (Gender Reassignment) Regulations.
The ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual people in the armed forces is lifted after a ruling from the European Court of Human Rights.
The age of consent for gay and bisexual men is reduced to 16.
Image: Peter Brookes, "If only we were allowed a cigarette afterwards...", The Times, 15 Jul 1997
Section 28 is repealed.
Image: Paul Thomas, [no caption], Daily Express, 26 Jul 2000
Trans people are enabled to change their legal gender.