top of page
Search

Alliance and petition to demand inquiry into damage of infamous 'Section 28' UK anti-LGBTQ+ law

Updated: May 12


 Stop the Clause flyer from 1988. The Clause 28 became Section 28 once passed into UK law. Courtesy of LSE Library via Wikimedia Commons. The 1988 law is similar to contemporary 'Don't say gay' laws in parts of the USA.
 Stop the Clause flyer from 1988. The Clause 28 became Section 28 once passed into UK law. Courtesy of LSE Library via Wikimedia Commons. The 1988 law is similar to contemporary 'Don't say gay' laws in parts of the USA.

  

Joint Statement from the  

Section 28 Justice Coalition and ReportOUT 

 

ReportOUT and the Section 28 Justice Coalition are proud to partner together to fight against censorship of LGBTQ+ people and highlight the awful impact of Section 28.


Our organisations share the belief that LGBTQ+ people deserve to live their lives as themselves and we stand against all attempts to withhold or take away rights from LGBTQ+ people across the world.  

 

We have launched a petition for a Public Inquiry into the impact of Section 28 on LGBTQ+ people to get justice for those who lived through it and stop LGBTQ+ censorship happening now but we need your help! 


"Passed in 1988 at the height of the anti-gay paranoia around HIV/AIDS, its effects are still with us today and a whole generation of LGBTQ+ people were put at risk as local public services were forbidden and silenced from offering advice and information just when the HIV/AIDS epidemic meant people needed it most..." Drew Dalton

Drew Dalton, CEO of ReportOUT, said, "ReportOUT is a champion of human rights for LGBTQ people around the world wherever threats arise. So we are delighted to support the Section 28 Justice Coalition and its partners in calling for an inquiry into the terrible impact of Section 28, the first anti-LGBTQ legislation seen in the UK for 100 years.

Passed in 1988 at the height of the anti-gay paranoia around HIV/AIDS, its effects are still with us today and a whole generation of LGBTQ+ people were put at risk as local public services were forbidden and silenced from offering advice and information just when the HIV/AIDS epidemic meant people needed it most. Please sign the petition and show your support in any way for this long overdue inquiry so such homophobic laws are never seen again in the UK."

 


We ask you to support the aims of the Section 28 Justice Coalition by: 

  • Signing our pledge here to affirm your and/or your organisation's commitment to LGBTQ+ people and against censorship. You'll then get a link to our Pledge Pack here with more resources. 

  • Sharing this petition link with everyone you know (more resources like social media graphics in the pledge pack) 

  • Sign up here to promote us at a Pride or other event by collecting signatures or to march with us in London Pride on 4th July 

  • Publicise the campaign and petition through your channels, social media and networks 

  • Publicise the campaign and petition at events you attend or organise, such as Prides or other LGBTQ+ events 

 

Our Pledge states that together we will all: 

 

  • Condemn the Section 28 legislation which banned the 'promotion of homosexuality' by Local Authorities in the UK and the impact it had on LGBTQ+ people 

  • Demand a proper acknowledgement and apology from the Government of the harm caused by the legislation 

  • Stand against LGBTQ+ censorship and demand that it never happens again in any area of public life, whether through legislation, social pressure or any other means 

  • Demand better support and acceptance for LGBTQ+ people in education and throughout their lives through comprehensive guidance which focuses on support for LGBTQ+ people, instead of ambiguity 

  • Stand with LGBTQ+ people across the world fighting against censorship and silence prosecuted through legislation, social pressure and other means 

  • Actively support and amplify the Section 28 Justice Coalition activities to achieve this 


The petition runs until 24th September. We know it will be a huge challenge to get a public inquiry to finally get justice for Section 28 and help stop LGBTQ+ censorship happening now. We desperately need your help to publicise our cause at every opportunity.  


We are currently developing a pledge for organisations to sign, demonstrating our united stand against censorship and show support for publicising our campaign. 

We hope you will be a part of our fight for justice and against censorship. If you are willing to help us please let us know at info@section28justice.co.uk 

 

Download the PDF resource pack.

 

 

Stevie Jones (Co-Chair, Section 28 Justice Coalition) 

Drew Dalton (CEO, ReportOUT) 


bottom of page