Attitudes towards homosexuality

Question 1

What sparked changes in attitudes?

Answer 1

• Identification of HIV and AIDs
• Gay Plague
• Fear of aids stirred up prejudice against gay people

Question 2

How did the government respond?

Answer 2

• Section 28 of Local Government Act 1988 - don’t internationally promote homosexuality

Question 3

How did supporters of the LGBT community respond?

Answer 3

• Pressure groups like ‘Outrage’ - threatened to out gay clergy or mps.
• Charity called Stonewall sought to Champion LGBT rights, backed legal cases at European Court of human rights, Challenging unequal unequal age of consent for gay men.

Question 4

What has been the impact of pressure groups on government legislation and society?

Answer 4

• Reduction in the age of consent for gay men from 21 to 18 in 1994.
• Equality with heterosexual people was achieved in 2000 when the age was lowered to 16.
• Allowed to adopt children in 2002.
• Cabinet mps could be openly gay