A (very) Brief History of Pride
The 1960s were all about change - from the Civil Rights Movement to feminism and anti-war protests. In June 1969, the Stonewall Riots in New York - sparked by ongoing police harassment - kicked off the modern LGBTQIA+ rights movement. Now, June is Pride Month, celebrating LGBTQIA+ rights and culture!
10 Important Dates in British LGBTQIA+ History
Here's a snapshot of some key moments through the decades:
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
- 1982
- Terrence Higgins is the first known British man to die from an AIDS-related illness. The Terrence Higgins Trust is set up in his memory
- 1988
- ? Margaret Thatcher introduces Section 28, leading Sir Ian McKellen to form the Stonewall charity to fight for equality. (Section 28 was repealed in 2003)
1990s
- 1992
- 1996
- A landmark case rules against the wrongful dismissal of a transitioning employee, the first of its kind in the world
- 1999
- David Copeland bombs the Admiral Duncan pub, killing three and injuring many; this tragedy marks a turning point in relations between the LGBTQIA+ community and the police
2000s
- 2004
- ?The Civil Partnership Act and Gender Recognition Act are passed, giving same-sex couples and trans individuals legal recognition. Sadly at the time of writing, non-binary and gender-fluid people aren't yet recognised
We've made great strides in LGBTQIA+ rights, though there's still work to be done - your SU is here to support you <3
Are you an ally? Take a look at our Guide to Allyship! We also have a handy Guide to Gender Pronouns, as well as a Guide to Gender Identities :)
Curious about how your SU is supporting LGBTQIA+ students? Check out our campaign page!