ACOMSDave

Community Journalist

What of the LGBTQ community on British society since the 1800s?

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LGBTQ CommunityThe LGBTQ community and individuals have significantly shaped British society since the 1800s, influencing social attitudes, legal reforms, culture, and rights movements.

In the 19th century, LGBTQ identities were largely marginalised and criminalised, with laws like the Labouchere Amendment of 1885 criminalising male homosexual acts. Despite heavy repression, underground communities and discreet networks persisted, laying the groundwork for future activism.

The early 20th century witnessed the emergence of pioneering figures who challenged societal norms and fought for recognition. The 1950s and 1960s marked a turning point with the formation of advocacy groups, such as the Homosexual Law Reform Society, which campaigned for decriminalisation.

In 1967, the Sexual Offences Act decriminalised private male homosexual acts in England and Wales, a landmark victory that catalysed further legal and social change. The subsequent decades witnessed the gradual removal of discriminatory laws, the rise of LGBTQ visibility in media and culture, and the fight for equal rights, culminating in the legalisation of same-sex marriage in 2014.

Culturally, LGBTQ individuals have enriched British arts, literature, and entertainment, challenging stereotypes and promoting diversity. Prominent figures, such as Alan Turing, a pioneering computer scientist and World War II codebreaker, and later activists, have become symbols of resilience and progress.

Overall, the LGBTQ community’s perseverance and activism have played a crucial role in transforming British society into a more inclusive and accepting nation, fostering ongoing debates about rights, identity, and equality.

 

Summary Table

Area Impact
Law & Policy Decriminalisation, anti-discrimination laws, marriage equality, repeal of Section 28
Culture & Arts Influential writers, artists, musicians, and designers, increased representation
Social Attitudes Greater acceptance, visibility, and understanding of LGBTQ identities
Activism Grassroots movements, Pride events, and intersectional advocacy
Community Building Creation of support networks and safe spaces

The LGBTQ community and individuals have fundamentally shaped modern British society, advancing legal rights, enriching culture, and driving social change from the 1800s to the present146.

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_LGBTQ_history_in_the_British_Isles
  2. https://phm.org.uk/blogposts/a-british-export-that-has-defined-lgbt-history-past-and-present/
  3. https://thefrontline.org.uk/blog-post/key-moments-of-visibility-in-lgbtq-history-in-the-uk/
  4. https://armycadets.com/features/influential-lgbtq-figures-in-uk-history/
  5. https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/55276399
  6. https://www.youngcitizens.org/blog/history-of-lgbtq-rights-in-the-uk/
  7. https://www.youngfabians.org.uk/the_forgotten_side_of_british_queer_history_month
  8. https://www.history.org.uk/publications/resource/11056/what-have-historians-been-arguing-about-modern
  9. Belfast Pride 2023

The Roads Are Dangerous

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A while ago, I wrote about driving on the roads and how both cyclists and motorists seem to be disregarding the ‘Highway Code’ the aim of The Highway Code is to make the roads safer for everyone because the roads are danerous. It gives guidance as to how you are to use the road in conjunction with fellow users (whether they be motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, or even riders of horses).
For motorists, they are cocooned in a metal box of some type which seems to make them think they are invincible, for the other users (who should be thinking of visibility) most seem to think that wearing dark clothes night and day is perfectly acceptable – of course, everyone will see them!

 

The Roads Are Dangerous

 

Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay

Get Up To Speed – The Roads Are Dangerous

So why am I writing again about the dismal use of the Highway Code on our roads; well Belfast Live decided to also run an article on the use of our roads.

‘Belfast the most dangerous city for cyclists in the UK, new research suggests’

The statistics they gathered are staggering:

⦁ 71% of those who took part in the survey had been involved in some kind of accident while on their bike
⦁ At least 51% cannot correctly identity Highway Code rules related to cycling and that four out of ten cyclists (38%) quizzed don’t agree that cycle helmets should be compulsory on UK roads (sic doesn’t this remind you about the argument about seatbelts?)

 

The Roads Are Dangerous

Photo by Matteus Silva de Oliveira from Pexels

Lockdown

Lockdown - The Roads Are Dangerous

Photo by Glen Carrie on Unsplash

With lockdown, the usage of bikes has gone up, but it would the majority of cyclists are not aware of many of the current rules put in place for their own protection! For example, over two-thirds of those surveyed (69%) wrong believe cyclists are able to ride more than two abreast on the road…59% of those surveyed did not think they were required to obey all traffic signs and traffic light signals.

However, the problem is not all one-sided. Motorists are equally as blind to the Highway Code, but they are more likely to get stopped and advised by the police, whilst the police do not have cyclists high enough on their radar.

It is a matter for all of us; in today’s society where we are handling a pandemic of global concern, and where our NHS is under so much pressure, surely we can all take a little bit more care, dress appropriately and act safely to ensure we don’t become the next statistic in the hospital waiting list.

 

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