LGBTQ+ History Month: Social change and activism

LGBTQ+ History Month is an important month in acknowledging the advancement of LGBTQ+ equality and the impact this had on many people’s lives across the years.

This year’s theme of social change and activism feels especially relevant to social work, which as a profession has always been a force for social change.

Working with LGBTQ+ people

Many mental health social workers will work with LGBTQ+ service users – who may have been impacted by past events – both in their personal life and from wider political and societal contexts.

Past experiences can have a profound effect on people’s mental health. We know at least half of LGBTQ+ people have experienced depression and almost half of trans people have thought about taking their life.

Social workers can be instrumental in ensuring people feel seen and heard. Having knowledge of LGBTQ+ history can help social workers, and the wider mental health workforce, to contextualise the lived experience of LGBTQ+ people with mental health needs.

Key dates from LGBTQ+ History

We’ve shared some key events below from UK history:

1950s

• 1951 – Roberta Cowell became the first transgender woman to undergo gender confirmation surgery.
• 1952 – Scotland Yard began search for homosexuals in British Government, later referred to as the Lavendar Scare, closely linked to the same search in US federal Government.
• 1954 – Historic mathematician, Alan Turing, died by suicide, after being given ‘chemical castration’ for his homosexuality.
• 1957 – Wolfenden Report was published, advising the UK government that homosexuality should be made legal.

1960s

• 1967 – Sexual Offences Bill – decriminalized homosexual acts between two men over 21 years of age in private in England and Wales (homosexuality was never illegal for women).
• 1969 – The Stonewall riots took place, following a police raid at The Stonewall Inn, New York, USA.

1970s

• 1972 – The first Gay Pride Rally was held in London, from Trafalgar Square to Hyde Park.

1980s

• 1981 – The first diagnosed case of HIV/AIDS in the UK was recorded.
• 1988 – Section 28 of the Local Government Act introduced, stating local authorities “shall not intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with the intention of promoting homosexuality”.

1990s

• 1994 – The gay male age of consent was lowered to 18.

2000s

• 2000 – Government stops the ban of homosexuals in the armed forces.
• 2000 – Government repeals Section 28.
• 2002 – Same-sex couples are granted equal rights to adopt.
• 2004 – Civil Partnership Act introduced.
• 2004 – Gender Recognition Act introduced.
• 2006 – Equality Act introduced.
• 2009 – David Cameron apologizes on behalf of the Conservative Party, for introducing Section 28 during Margaret Thatcher’s third government

2010s

• 2014 – Same-sex marriage becomes legal in England and Wales
• 2017 – The Policing and Crime Act pardoned all historic instances of criminal convictions of gross indecency against men in England and Wales.

2020s

• 2020 – The UK census includes questions on gender identity and sexual orientation for the first time, meaning that data can be gathered on the numbers of LGBT people across the country

This timeline is not exhaustive of the dates in LGBTQ+ History. More information can be found from Stonewall.

Social workers and social change

Having this historical knowledge is crucial for all social workers and the mental health workforce to ensure they are supporting the people they work with in the best way they can.

It is important to acknowledge that events like Section 28 will have had a profound impact on many people growing up in the UK, and prevented people from being able to understand or share their identity openly and freely. Social workers can be the safe place that people need to explore their past experiences, if these have had an impact on their life and mental health.

Social workers can also be an active force for social change; whether advocating for the people they work with, challenging societal norms or pushing for wider systemic change.

We must all continue to be allies and activists going forwards – not only in LGBTQ+ History Month but everyday.

LGBT+ History Month was established by Schools Out in 2005. Discover more about the month and this year’s theme here.