Don’t Say Gay (In development)

We are making the first feature length doc about Section 28

Section 28 was the first law to roll back LGBTQ+ rights in over 100 years.

Don’t Say Gay tells the story of the introduction of a homophobic law, Section 28 by the British government in the 1980s and the subsequent fight back and repeal. The law forbade the “promotion of homosexuality” by any local councils in Britain which meant that teachers believed they could discuss any LGBTQ+ themes in schools. The law stretched further to impact the arts, libraries and local authorities.

Donate to the film

We are developing and continuing to fundraise the film. Help us fund the first feature length documentary by donating to us on the Donate to the Film link.

Section 28 impacted a generation of LGBTQ+ people

This law was a state sponsored silence against LGBTQ+ people, implemented by the UK Conservative Government in 1988 and wasn’t repealed until 2003.

The legislation banned the ‘promotion of homosexuality’ stating 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”. This impacted schools, youth workers, health services, libraries, heritage sectors and the arts from 1988 to 2000 in Scotland and 2003 in the rest of the UK.

Section 28 led to a belief that no one could talk about homosexuality in any guise across the country. For everyone else in education at the time, we lost the opportunity to learn about our history and community in the education system.

This legislation was so effective, many of the children who went to school under it didn’t know it was happening to them. This led to a whole generation of internalised homophobia and shame across young LGBTQ+ people growing up from the late 80s to the 00s, which we still see the impact of today.

If you are interested in supporting the film, we are currently financing. Contact section28film@gmail.com

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