Section 28

The Law That Tried to Silence Us

In this episode of I-Vada, we dive into one of the most controversial pieces of legislation in recent British history: Section 28.

We cast our minds back to Thatcher's Britain to explore how a few lines of law created a decade-long climate of fear for the LGBTQ+ community.

From the infamous ‘pretended family relationships’ clause to the protests that shook Manchester, we look at the personal toll of state-sanctioned homophobia and the community that rose to fight it.

In This Episode:

• The Roots of the Law: We discuss how Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988 prohibited local authorities from ‘promoting’ homosexuality, effectively silencing teachers and youth workers.
  
• The ‘Red Herring’ Book: The story behind Jenny Lives with Eric and Martin, the Danish children’s book that became a focal point for moral panic despite hardly being used in schools.
  
• Manchester Fights Back: Insights from oral historian Jamie Starr and activist Tony Openshaw on the massive 20,000-strong protest in Albert Square.
  
• Working from the Inside: Paul Fairweather shares his experience as a Gay Men’s Officer for Manchester City Council, navigating legal minefields to continue supporting the community.
  
• A Culture of Fear: Personal reflections on the 1980s "gay plague" headlines, the panic surrounding the AIDS crisis, and the internalised shame many still carry today.
  
• Art as Activism: Choreographer Gary Clark discusses his performance piece, Detention, which explores the trauma and rage of growing up under Section 28.
  

Links

Body Positive - bpcnw.co.uk

People's History Museum - phm.org.uk

Gary Clarke Company - garyclarkecompany.com or detentiontour.co.uk

Out In The City (Gary Openshaw) - outinthecity.org

Studio production by Copperbeach - copperbeach.co.uk