LGBT+ History Month

World Health Organisation declassifies same-sex attraction as a mental illness.

Section 28 is repealed in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, lifting the ban on local authorities from ‘the teaching in any maintained school of the acceptability of homosexuality’.

Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations becomes law in the UK, making it illegal to discriminate against lesbians, gay and bi people in the workplace.

The Civil Partnership Act 2004 is passed, granting civil partnership in the United Kingdom. The Act gives same-sex couples the same rights and responsibilities as married straight couples in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

The Gender Recognition Act 2004 is passed giving trans people full legal recognition in their appropriate gender. The Act allows trans people to acquire a new birth certificate, although gender options are still limited to ‘male’ or ‘female’.

The Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007 outlawed the discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities, services, education and public functions on the grounds of sexual orientation.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 recognises same-sex couples as legal parents of children conceived through the use of donated sperm, eggs or embryos. 

The Equality Act 2010 officially adds gender reassignment as a protected characteristic. 

A new offence of ‘incitement to homophobic hatred’ comes into force in the UK.

Protection of Freedoms Act is passed in the UK allowing for historic convictions for consensual sex between men to be removed from criminal records.

Explicit reference to homophobic bullying in schools is introduced into Ofsted’s inspection framework in the UK.

The Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Act is passed in England and Wales.

The Government issues a posthumous pardon to gay and bi men who were convicted under sexual offences laws last century, which enabled police to criminalise people for being gay or bi.

The World Health Organisation stops categorising being transgender as a ‘mental disorder’ in its health guidelines.

A new PSHE curriculum is introduced in England, requiring that lessons include acknowledgment of LGBTQIA+ rights and protect the physical and mental wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ children.

Same sex marriage becomes legal in Northern Ireland.

The UK Government announces plans for legislation to ban 'conversion therapy’, and increase the support available to survivors.

The 2021 census asks people about their sexual orientation and gender identity for the first time.

Rainbow Mind is a service that is specifically for members of the LGBTQ+ community who have mental health problems. The service is staffed and directed by LGBTQ+ people. The service is delivered by Mind in Salford and Mind in City, Hackney and Waltham Forest.

Outcome is a client-led LGBTQ+ service that has been run by a lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans team for 15 years. They meet every Tuesday between 10:30am and 4:00pm and usually have 35 to 40 clients in each session.

Their main aim is to provide a sanctuary for LGBTQ+ people – somewhere safe where they can be themselves, socialise free from discrimination, receive therapies to improve their mental health, learn new skills and acquire knowledge to improve their quality of life.

Bristol Mindline Trans+ is a confidential emotional, mental health support helpline for people who identify as Transgender, Agender, Gender Fluid, Non-binary. The MindLine Trans+ provides a safe place to talk about your feelings confidentially. They don’t record calls nor ask for any personal details. Their listeners will try to understand the multitude of feelings and concerns that may be going on for you. They are there to listen and offer support.

Dorset Mind has a range of support groups for members of LGBTQ+ communities.

The group provides a sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ community, providing a safe space, free from discrimination, where you can share experiences, learn new skills and improve your quality of life.