KCLSU is happy to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month! This is a nationwide recurrence, where every year, we commit to reflecting on the progress made over the years and recognizing the milestones that have shaped the rights and freedoms of LGBTQ+ individuals.
When looking at the last two decades, the UK has made incredible progress with LGBTQ+ rights, but it has also encountered several difficulties and turning points that caused turmoil in the British queer community. We are here to look back at what has been done in the past to do better in the future!
It is so important to be grateful for the openness and freedom we can enjoy now while also being critical of what can be improved. So, here’s a helpful timeline of the most notable changes in LGBTQ+ rights in the UK in the last 20 years:
2007 Equality Act for Sexual Orientation No more discrimination in the workplace
It was the year of Rihanna’s Umbrella, Avril Lavigne’s Girlfriend, and the reunion tour of the Spice Girls – such an iconic 12 months. Amidst this pop culture frenzy, important changes would have come to define the livelihoods of thousands of people in the British island. Ruth Kelly introduced the legislation known as the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007, which included of sexual orientation as a protected characteristic.
In other words, LGBTQ+ individuals could no longer be fired, denied promotions, or treated unfairly simply because of their sexual orientation. Despite severe opposition by some religious groups, the legislation was passed and has ever since provided much-needed protection and helped create a more inclusive society for LGBTQ+ people in the UK.
The Equality Act 2010 Gender Reassignment
In most charities and workplaces, it is quite common now to find an Equal Opportunities policy. For instance, you might see a job application which states, in the end, that the company is an equal opportunity employer. If you recognize this wording, you will have certainly read, alongside the mention of the Equality Act 2010.
This was an incredible change in the UK legislative system, as it came to stand for all the separate discrimination acts that have been passed before. This law guarantees that anyone who has been made the victim of discrimination, either at their job or in their daily life, can be protected. The Equality Act 2010 became an important instrument of justice for those who were mistreated and finally addressed discrimination against people who underwent gender reassignment procedures.
If you’re interested in how this law works and how impactful it was, you can read more about it in our article, available here.
2014: Marriage Act Same-Sex Marriage Becomes Legal
In 2014, the landmark moment that many LGBTQ+ activists had long fought for finally arrived—same-sex marriage was legalized in all regions of the UK. The passing of the Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Act allowed same-sex couples the right to marry and enjoy the same legal recognition and benefits as heterosexual couples.
This was a monumental victory for the LGB2020: Brexit A moment of uncertainty community, symbolizing full legal and social acceptance. It was more than just a legal change: it was a profound moment that affirmed the love, relationships, and families of LGBTQ+ individuals were equally valuable and worthy of respect.
When it was announced that the UK was going to leave the European Union, the British LGBTQ+ community soon became preoccupied with the possible consequences of this transformation. While most of the laws we have mentioned in this article were a result of an internal, cultural process, many believed that the primacy of European Law over English Law had guaranteed the inclusion of more rights for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Because of this, many worried that they would have enjoyed less legal protection after Brexit. Fortunately, this was not the case, but this sudden moment of uncertainty highlighted the importance of continuing the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in the future.
As we look ahead, there’s still much work to be done. Transgender individuals, in particular, continue to face significant challenges, and equality is far from guaranteed in every aspect of life. However, the progress of the past 20 years serves as a reminder that change is possible.
Stay tuned to our KCLSU Events Page to find out all the LGBTQ+ History Month events we have planned for you. From Book Blind Dates to LGBTQ+ Fairs, and learn how to mobilize change and work for a more equitable society!