Why we must remember Section 28
To mark LGBT+ History Month, Lexie explores the origins of this month of remembrance and the parallels between discrimination against gay people in the 1980s and attacks on trans and nonbinary people today.
It is that time of year when we come together as a trade union to mark LGBT+ History Month 2026. Although this year's theme concerns science and innovation, we should still acknowledge the history of this month of remembrance.
LGBT+ History Month was created by the Schools Out Project to celebrate the abolishment of Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988 - a heinous and barbaric piece of legislation.
Introduced by Margaret Thatcher and her Conservative government, it stopped councils and schools from "promoting the teaching of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship". In other words, it prohibited education about the existence of LBGT+ people.
As a member of the LGBT+ community during this time, I remember being prevented from obtaining support from my teachers while I was studying at my local sixth form.
During the 1990s, I was fortunate to be part of a letter-writing campaign attached to Stonewall, an organisation formed in 1989 to oppose Section 28. This campaign was led by Austin Allen, one of the first openly gay teachers to be sacked under these new prohibitions.
Without the resilience of the LGBT+ community working in collaboration with allies, this abolishment would not have happened. Indeed, our resilience has resulted in many changes for the better: the pardoning of people’s convictions, the pardoning of LGBT+ veterans, the development of HIV and AIDS support services and vaccines, as well as better awareness and freedoms for our community.
These achievements came from working together, side by side, and walking in each other's shoes. Today, we can see some shocking parallels to Section 28.
This time, our transgender and nonbinary friends are being targeted by right-wing political forces. The rise of the far-right in local, national and global politics means we also see calls for the eradication of equality, diversity and inclusion practices; for the erasure of anything that can be described as ‘woke’.
We must take a pause and feel the chill of hate against our bones.
As trade unionists, we cannot rely on political alliances alone to combat this reactionary right. But if history tells us anything, it is that we all need to come together as a collective to provide an alternative vision of society.
As well as attacking us for being LBGT+, the far-right would erode our terms and conditions, strip away our vital public services, and further empower the rich while trampling on the working class.
Let us not forget that, regardless of our individual differences, we all have human rights and basic needs that need to be met, from food and heating to a roof over our heads.
Everyone should be entitled to these basic necessities of life. They are fundamental not only to our individual and collective flourishing, but also economic growth and democracy.
Proud meetings
PCS Proud hold a monthly members' meeting on the last Tuesday of every month for LGBT+ members to discuss what issues are impacting them and to feed into the work of the Proud National Committee.
Get in touch via [email protected] to find out more.