THE BIRTH OF PRIDE KEY DATES

1969

In the early hours of 28 June 1969, police officers from New York City’s ‘Public Morals Division’ raided the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in Greenwich Village. The NYPD had the power to enforce all vice laws, including arresting homosexuals by force. But on this particular night, the community fought back – revellers threw bottles, coins and beer cans at police, who barricaded themselves inside the bar. Protestors took control of the streets for several days, in what became known later as the Stonewall Riots. Although this wasn’t the beginning of the LGBTQ+ rights movement, media coverage of the uprising inspired global change.

1972

Just five years after homosexuality was decriminalised in England and Wales, the first UK Pride march, known as Gay Pride, took place in London on 1 July – the date was inspired by the 1969 Stonewall Riots. Organised by the Gay Liberation Front, a political group fighting for lesbian and gay equality, several hundred people marched down Oxford Street to Hyde Park to make their political point.

1988

A law known as Section 28 came into force, banning the ‘promotion’ of gay relationships within UK schools. Many HIV prevention groups argued that it stigmatised gay people even further and gagged teachers from talking about homosexuality at all. Protestors hit the streets, including Sir Ian Mckellen. It wasn’t overturned until 2003.

2000

A law was changed allowing gay, bisexual and transgender people to serve in the armed forces in the UK.

2002 2004

Adoption laws were changed to allow same-sex couples to adopt children.

The Civil Partnership Act came into force, allowing same-sex couples to form a legally binding civil partnership.

2007

Following campaigns by gay rights groups, Justice Secretary Jack Straw announces inciting homophobic hatred will become illegal.

2013

The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act finally allows gay people to have the same rights as their straight counterparts and marry in England and Wales. In Northern Ireland, gay marriage is not made legal until 2019.

2022

More than one million people celebrate Pride’s 50th anniversary in London, including Dame Kelly Holmes and Emeli Sandé.