Ten years of progress

Milestones on the road to full legal rights for LGB people.

1997

  • Labour wins General Election. Stephen Twigg and Ben Bradshaw, both openly gay, become
    MPs.
  • Chris Smith becomes the first openly gay Cabinet Minister as National Heritage Secretary.
  • Labour MP Angela Eagle becomes the first MP to come out as a lesbian.
  • The Government recognises same sex partners for immigration purposes.

1998 

  • The House of Commons votes for the age of consent for gay males to be 16, but this was later defeated in the Lords.

1999 

  • Immigration policy changed so that gay couples only needed to fill a two year rather than a four year probationary period.
  • The Law Society proposes that unmarried couples, including same sex partners, should be
    recognised in law.
  • Rail companies legally recognise same sex couples for travel subsidy.
  • The House of Lords rules that same sex partners should have the right to succeed a tenancy.

2000 

  • The Government lifts the ban on lesbians and gay men serving in the armed forces.

2001 

  • The age of consent is reduced to 16.

2002

  • Equal rights are granted for same sex couples applying for adoption. However, it not implemented until 2005.

2003 

  • Repeal of Section 28
  • Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations come into effect, giving lesbian gay and bisexual people equal rights in the workplace.

2004

  • The Sexual Offences Act abolishes the crime of buggery and gross indecency.

2005

  • The first Civil Partnerships take effect from 21 December.
  • Section 146 of the Criminal Justices Act 2003 implemented, empowering courts to impose tougher sentences for offences aggravated or motivated by the victim’s sexual orientation.

2006 

  • The Equality Act 2006 establishes Commission for Equality and Human Rights and makes discrimination against lesbians, gay men and bisexuals in the provision of goods and legal services illegal.

2007

  • The implementation of the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) 2007.