Topical

& books on growing up gay in the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s

HELP !!!!
Another Section 28 in the UK and at the LSE
HELP !!!!
During oral arguments in the case over transgender health care for minors, Supreme court justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said: "I'm worried that we're undermining the foundations of some of our bedrock equal protection cases." She made a link (in terms of legal arguments) between the racial restrictions of the 1967 Loving v. Virginia case (in which the supreme course struck down state bans on interracial marriage) and the sex restrictions considered here. [link1] and [link2]. The proponents of those laws against interracial marriage argued that their arguments were science based (then eugenics!!!) [link] just as is done these days when proposing laws against proper health care for trans people. And I had to deal personally with the claim that "science" makes clear that homosexuality is not natural. Science is important, but if somebody argues that they (or their views) are better because they rely on science then you can bet that some prejudices are lurking around the corner.
During the 70s and 80s, I found solace in the fact that the older people were homophobes, not young ones. So the massive turnout of young people protesting in favour of trans rights following the hurtful decision of the UK supreme court was extremely touching.
7 suicides among young lgbtqia+
asylum seekers in the Netherlands [ link]

Protest in Den Haan 2025
Dan Glass' Queer Footprints Lauch &
Gay Liberation Front (1970-74) reunion
I chaired an event honouring queer heroes from the GLF and icebreakers. The GLF operated from 1970 to around 1974 with its peak at 1972 when it organised the first gay pride (see below). These days, some claim to have been active in the GLF; even some my age (and so obviously way too young). There were two parts to the evening. One was a panel with several gay pioneers (and there were a couple more in the audience). It was great to see these pioneers speak up against the recent upswing in gender critical views and also against the LSE decision to leave Stonewall. In the other half, my friend and activist Dan Glass launched his book Queer Footprints: A Guide to Uncovering London's Fierce History.
Terrence Higgins Trust Fighting HIV Stigma march 18-3-'23
Weird that I am still walking around with banners after so many years. But HIV stigma is still a big thing and still damaging lives. I highly recommend the recent film that drives young people to keep their HIV status a secret in Ireland today. [Youtube link]. Young readers who like to go to the still popular Heaven may like to know that Terrence Higgins was a DJ at this nightclub and collapsed there while at work. He died not long after on July 4th 1982 as one of the first people to die because of AIDS in the UK.
Impressive remembrance/protest and glad to see so many young people show up. [ Press Release]
1st Gay Pride (1972) and
Gay Liberation Front (1970-74)
Helped out with the organisation of the recreation of the 1st Gay Pride 50 years ago to honour veterans of the Gay Liberation Front, the famous movement that started at the LSE and operated between 1970-74 (when I was 8 to 12 years old). First duty was holding up signs while the famous GLF veterans gave speeches. Then acting as a steward during the march wearing a bright GLF jacket making sure none of the participants were hit be traffic