This week marked 18 years since the Scottish Parliament repealed Section 28 north of the border, but LGBT+ people still face widespread discrimination and continue to be affected by policies implemented by an aggressively intolerant Conservative government in coalition with DUP homophobes. Brian Finlay reflects on this legacy and what lessons can be learned going forward...

On May 28 thirty years ago at the Ross Bandstand on Edinburgh Princes Street Gardens, one of the largest Scottish lesbian and gay rights events to ever be organised took place. Emotions were high for good reason as they protested the obscenity of Section 28, which had been passed and legislated by the UK government as part of the Local Government Act four days prior. The clause banned the “promotion” of homosexuality by local councils or in schools across the UK. This made it illegal for anyone seeking advice about their sexuality or inclinations to be offered support in school – even literature mentioning homosexuality was prohibited.



For all Conservatives try to defend Margaret Thatcher's economic legacy, the evidence is clear that she systematically sought to perpetuate inequality and cause misery for minorities at every opportunity. She created an environment where LGBT+ individuals weren't just prejudiced against – they weren't permitted to exist in the mainstream, which had the desired effect of making these individuals feel alienated from society. The 'Lark in the Park' event at the bandstand stood in direct defiance to that as prominent gay figures such as Ian McKellen addressed crowds under the banner: “Lesbian and gay rights are human rights”. It's an idea that in recent history become normalised: Pride Scotland events have increased in popularity since 1995 and now take place in most major towns and cities from Glasgow to Aberdeen to Kirkcaldy.



But back in 1988, there was still a huge mountain to climb. Section 28 was entirely motivated by Thatcher's ideological prejudices, which she openly expressed in her Conservative Party conference speech in Blackpool in 1987. The timing of this escalation coincided with an embedded societal impression that homosexuality was wrong, which was being exploited by the right wing media's coverage of the HIV/AIDS crisis which peaked in the early to mid 1980s.



Thatcher addressed her conference with these chilling words: “Children who need to be taught to respect traditional moral values are being taught that they have an inalienable right to be gay. All of those children are being cheated of a sound start in life. Yes, cheated.” It's sickening to imagine that such political discourse was acceptable three decades ago – even from Thatcher.



However, much of the hysteria that surrounds transsexual individuals' right to express who they are today is reminiscent of the very same tone. The discussion around trans rights has whipped up into a verbal frenzy, with even feminist debates resorting to suggestions trans people are something obscure and somehow to be feared. Less than 1% of the UK population identifies as trans, but the wild coverage in right wing tabloids would suggest it's a much larger social group. Given the tone adopted by many on the left around this issue, it's worth reflecting on the struggles of the past and being mindful of the fact nearly half of all under-26s that identify as trans have attempted suicide at some point in their life.