Section 28

Section 28 was a controversial anti-gay amendment to the United Kingdom's 1988 Local Government Act, enacted on 24 May 1988 and finally repealed on 18 November 2003. The amendment stated that a local authority "shall not intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with the intention of promoting homosexuality" or "promote the teaching in any maintained school of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship"http://www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts1988/Ukpga_19880009_en_5.htm#mdiv28.

Support

Section 28 was primarily supported by religious groups opposed to LGBT rights such as The Christian Institute, the African and Caribbean Evangelical Association, the Christian Action Research and Education, the Muslim Council of Britain, and groups within the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England. The Conservative Party, despite dissent within its ranks on the issue of gay rights, remained in favor of keeping Section 28 up until its repeal. In the House of Lords the campaign against the repeal of Section 28 was successfully led by the late Baroness Young, who became synonymous with opposition to gay rights in the House of Lords. Newspapers that strongly supported Section 28 included The Daily Mail and The Telegraph.

Related Topics:
Christian Institute - African and Caribbean Evangelical Association - Christian Action Research and Education - Muslim Council of Britain - Roman Catholic Church - Church of England - Baroness Young - The Daily Mail - The Telegraph

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In Scotland the most visible supporters of Section 28 were Brian Souter and the Daily Record newspaper.

Related Topics:
Brian Souter - Daily Record

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The main argument used in support of Section 28 was that it protected children from predatory homosexuals and advocates seeking to indoctrinate vulnerable young people into homosexuality. Various other arguments were also used in support of Section 28 which are summarised as follows:

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• The promotion of homosexuality in schools undermines marriage.
• Section 28 only prohibited the promotion of homosexuality and did not prevent legitimate discussion.
• Section 28 did not prevent the counselling of pupils who are being bullied.
• Proponents pointed to various polls to demonstrate that public opinion favoured keeping Section 28.http://www.christian.org.uk/briefingpapers/section28.htm