Written by Jamie Markham, Student Representative for SEDIC.
There is certainly a common misconception that the 21st century opens LGBTQ+ people with open arms. In reality, discrimination against queer people is still at an all time high. There are 71 countries that either criminalise homosexuality or consensual same-sex sexual activity. Not only this, but pride means celebrating the right to be who you are with a long history of pain for LGBTQ+ people.
The history
The Buggery Act of 1533, passed by Parliament during the reign of Henry VIII, is the first time in law that male homosexuality was targeted for persecution in the UK. Completely outlawing sodomy in Britain – and by extension what would become the entire British Empire – convictions were punishable by death. It was not until 1861 with the passing of the Offences Against the Person Act, that the death penalty was abolished for acts of sodomy. In its place, was 10 years minimum imprisonment. The fight for sexual equality, however, was far from over. Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988, introduced by the Conservative Government under Margaret Thatcher, banned local authorities from ‘promoting homosexuality’ or ‘pretended family relationships’, and prohibited councils from funding educational materials and projects perceived to 'promote homosexuality'. Legislation to allow same-sex marriage only became legal on the 13th of March 2014. To put this into perspective, I am 19 years old and I would have been 12.
The gender recognition act, allowing full legal recognition of the gender of trans individuals, was not until 2004. Even basic equality was not put into place until 2010, giving LGBTQ+ people protection from discrimination In the work-place.
Even today, crime is high for LGBTQ+ people and discrimination continues in many different situations.
LGBTQ+ hate crime in the UK
A UK hate crime report states “Our latest report into anti-LGBT+ hate crime shows that 3 in 5 LGBT+ people experiencing hate crime want and need help, but only 1 in 5 are able to access any support”
Two in five trans people have experienced a hate crime or incident because of their gender identity in the last 12 months.
Four in five anti-LGBT hate crimes and incidents go unreported, with younger LGBT people particularly reluctant to go to the police.
The process
There is currently a 4-year waiting list to get medical support as a trans person on the NHS. Private services cost about £800 before you can even begin to start hormones. Non-binary people cannot have their gender legally recognised by law, which means that they cannot get married in their true identity or hold a passport that accurately represents their true identity. As a trans person, you have to have a diagnosis of gender dysphoria and have lived for two years in your acquired gender to get a gender recognition certificate.
Living as a Queer person
Without mentioning discrimination, lots of queer people face hate within their families. This causes problems in future relationships, mental health, and self-confidence. Trans individuals may not be called the correct pronouns or name by their family either.
It is important to remember this long history of LGBTQ+ discrimination that is currently, and continues to be, in society. Remember someone you love this pride that is queer and offer your support.
References
Bl.uk, ‘a short history of LGBT rights in the UK’, https://www.bl.uk/lgbtq-histories/articles/a-short-history-of-lgbt-rights-in-the-uk