homosexuality

• IN the UK all homosexual acts between men were made a crime in 1885 with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment
• in 1967 homosexuality was legalised in England and Wales for men over the age of 21 in private
• 1994 - age of consent was moved from 21 to 18
• 2000 - age of consent was moved from 18 to 16
• Reasons why the law changed:

  • Wolfenden report
  • Campaigns
  • Politicians
  • Human rights
• Wolfenden report


  • Following several trials of well known men the gov set up a committee under Sir John Woldenden to consider reform of the law
  • The committee's report in 1957 recommended homosexual acts over the age of 21 in private was legalised
• Campaigning


  the Homosexual Law Reform Society, campaigned for the change in the law, further campaigns at Stonewall and the Campaign for Homosexual Equality led to equalising the age of consent at 16
• Politicians

  Roy Jenkins supported the campaign for change and as Home Secretary he introduced the necessary legislation in 1967
• Human rights

  In India the main reason for the change in the law was the decision of the Supreme Court that the state has no right to control citizens private lives, in the UK this concern with equal rights also underlines changes in the law on homosexuality