This February, we honour the incredible legal milestones and trailblazing figures who have shaped the LGBTQ+ rights that we now have in the UK.
From landmark cases to inspirational lawyers and judges, their work has paved the way for equality and justice.
Taking a little look in the legal history books, it is overwhelming the way that members of the LGBTQ+ were treated and the little legal rights that they had.
- 1967 – The Sexual Offences Act decriminalised private consensual sex between men over 21 in England and Wales
- 1998 – The European Court of Human Rights ruled that the UK’s ban on LGBTQ+ people serving in the military was unlawful
- 2004 – The Civil Partnership Act gave same-sex couples legal recognition
- 2010 – The Equality Act protected LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination in the workplace
- 2013 – The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act legalised same-sex marriage in England and Wales
Baroness Brenda Hale played an important role in shaping human rights laws that protect the LGBTQ+ community. She championed diversity in judges to deliver a fair democracy. Including seeing more women and people from minority ethnic backgrounds in the judiciary. She played a significant role in introducing reforms to the law including the Childrens Act 1989, the Family Law Act 1996 and the Mental Health Act 2005.
It is reassuring to look back at the huge leaps forward over the last 70 years. However, there is still so much more that can be achieved for true equality for all.
Let’s continue working towards a more equal future for everyone.
