UK laws that have changed since 1960 in direct response to the demands of the queer liberation movements: a thread. https://twitter.com/JackDunc1/status/1264528205375066112

The Sexual Offences Bill 1967 decriminialised 'homosexual acts' between two men over 21 years of age in private in England and Wales.

The Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1980 decriminalised 'homosecual acts' between two men over 21 in private in Scotland.

The Homosexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 1982 decriminialised 'homosexual acts' between two men over 21 in private in Northern Ireland.

In 1994 the age of consent for gay men was lowered from 21 to 18 - it was 16 for heterosexual couple.

In 2000, the European Court of Human Rights overturned restrictions of the Sexual Offences Bill 1967 that had meant that men could not have sex with a third party, or in a hotel.

In 2001, the age of consent for men was lowered to 16, equal with that of heterosexual couples.

2002 - gay couples are granted equal rights to adopt.

In 2003, Section 28 was finally repealed, after having been introduced in 1988. 2003 also saw it become illegal to discriminate against LGB people at work.

The Civil Partnership Act 2004 was passed, allowing same-sex couples to register as having the same rights as married heterosexual couples in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales.

The Gender Recognition Act was also passed in 2004, allowing trans people to legally change their gender on their birth certificate, and as a result, they could marry as their true gender.

The Equality Act 2006 made discrimination against lesbians and gay men illegal in the provisions of goods and services.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 allows lesbian parents equal access to legal presumptions of parentage. Also in 2008, the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act makes incitement to homophobic hatred illegal.

In 2012, gay and bi men are allowed to donate blood following a 1-year deferral period.

In 2013, the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill is passed, and comes into affect in 2014, allowing same-sex couples the right to legally marry.

The Armed Forces Act 2016 is fully repealed, meaning queer people have full access to join the armed forces.

In January 2020, same-sex marriage finally became legal in Northern Ireland.

I am so grateful to the activists who came before me, who fought for changes to laws, social attitutdes, and language. I will continue to fight this front for ALL my queer siblings.

TRANS RIGHTS ARE HUMAN FUCKING RIGHTS.