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Gay liberation: 1970-2000
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Thirty years on: webpages by Andrew Hodges
The London Gay Liberation Front started in 1970, but that's before my time. I only joined in April 1971.
By 1973, GLF had effectively dissipated and had given way to its spin-off organisations. Some of these (like London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard) still thrive today.
But in 1971 it was at its most energetic. The Manifesto was published then. It said: | |
WE HAVE... DRAWN UP THE FOLLOWING LIST
OF IMMEDIATE DEMANDS
- that all discrimination against gay people, male and female, by the law, by employers, and by society at large should end.
- that all people who feel attracted to a member of their own sex be taught that such feelings are perfectly valid.
- that sex education in schools stop being exclusively heterosexual.
- that psychiatrists stop treating homosexuality as though it were a problem or sickness, thereby giving gay people senseless guilt complexes.
- that gay people be legally free to contact other gay people through newspaper ads, on the streets, and by any other means they may want, as are heterosexuals, and that police harassment should cease right now.
- that employers should no longer be allowed to discriminate against anyone on account of their sexual preferences.
- that the age of consent for gay males be reduced to the same as for straights.
- that gay people be free to hold hands and kiss in public, as are heterosexuals.
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| It is very interesting to consider which of these demands have now been met, and which other demands no-one then thought to make.
Thirty years after it started, GLF was 're-formed for a day,' at the Mardi Gras, Saturday 1 July 2000.
Here are four pages of my pictures of the day, and thoughts about these changes. | |
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