- The age of consent was 21 for gay/bi men but only 16 for straight couples until 2001. This was seen as discriminatory and a breach of human rights.
- Lesbian sexual activity was never criminalized to the same extent as gay male sexual activity.
- In 1994, the age was lowered to 18 after pressure from activists. But the campaign continued until full equality with straight couples was achieved.
- There was significant opposition, with ugly debates and stereotypes used against gay/bi men. The House of Lords blocked equalization efforts multiple times.
- Final victory came on January 8, 2001 when the age of consent was equalized at 16 in England, Wales and Scotland. Northern Ireland followed in 2008.
- It was a long, difficult campaign spanning over 30 years since the partial decriminalization of homosexuality in 1967. The victory marked a major milestone for LGBT rights.
Sexualizing young people: By setting the age of consent higher for same-sex relationships, the law implicitly suggested that young gay and bisexual men were more likely to engage in harmful or exploitative sexual behavior than their heterosexual counterparts. This stereotype fueled anxieties about child sexual abuse and fueled moral panics. Pathologizing same-sex relationships: The higher age of consent implied that same-sex relationships were inherently risky or abnormal, compared to heterosexual relationships. This reinforced the view that being gay or bisexual was a negative characteristic and fueled discriminatory attitudes. Impeding healthy development: The law created barriers to healthy sexual exploration and intimacy for young gay and bisexual men. This could lead to feelings of shame, isolation, and confusion about their sexual identity. Stigmatizing consensual relationships: By criminalizing sex between consenting adults under a certain age, the law turned something private and loving into something illegal and deviant. This created a climate of fear and stigma for young gay and bisexual men. Fuelling discrimination: The unequal age of consent law provided justification for other forms of discrimination against gay and bisexual men, such as employment discrimination, housing discrimination, and even violence. It’s important to remember that these stereotypes are harmful and inaccurate. They have no basis in reality and only serve to marginalize and discriminate against LGBTQ+ individuals. The fight for equal age of consent was a crucial step in dismantling these harmful stereotypes and promoting equality for all.
