By Tom Geoghegan BBC News Magazine New equality laws mark another major step in protecting gays and lesbians from discrimination. Coming after a series of landmark reforms, is the job now done for gay rights campaigners?
By Tom Geoghegan BBC News Magazine New equality laws mark another major step in protecting gays and lesbians from discrimination. Coming after a series of landmark reforms, is the job now done for gay rights campaigners?
It is not as photogenic as its predecessor, which was hailed with showers of confetti and kisses on town hall steps.
It is not as photogenic as its predecessor, which was hailed with showers of confetti and kisses on town hall steps.
But the Equality Act, coming 16 months after civil partnerships made the headlines, could later be judged as equally significant, at least in its symbolism.
But the Equality Act, coming 16 months after civil partnerships made the headlines, could later be judged as equally significant, at least in its symbolism.
It marks the last of a series of major legal reforms which have transformed the treatment of homosexuality by the state.
It is not a piece of legislation welcomed by all and it was bitterly opposed by parts of the Catholic Church. But it marks the last of a series of major legal reforms which have transformed the treatment of homosexuality by the state.
THE EQUALITY ACT bans discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief or sexual orientation in the provision of goods, facilities and services, the management of premises, education and the exercise of public functionsestablishes the Commission for Equality and Human Rights to replace existing commissions governing race, disability and equal opportunities As well as civil partnerships, there has been a lowering of the age of consent and the repeal of Section 28, which prevented councils and schools from intentionally promoting homosexuality.
THE EQUALITY ACT bans discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief or sexual orientation in the provision of goods, facilities and services, the management of premises, education and the exercise of public functionsestablishes the Commission for Equality and Human Rights to replace existing commissions governing race, disability and equal opportunities As well as civil partnerships, there has been a lowering of the age of consent and the repeal of Section 28, which prevented councils and schools from intentionally promoting homosexuality.
Although gay rights campaigning is older than we thought - a document discovered last week reveals written protests as early as 1749 - the speed of change in the last 10 years is unprecedented.
Although gay rights campaigning is older than we thought - a document discovered last week reveals written protests as early as 1749 - the speed of change in the last 10 years is unprecedented.
And last year Sir Ian McKellen remarked that the EuroPride march, once a strong political statement urging equality, had instead become a "celebration".
And last year Sir Ian McKellen remarked that the EuroPride march, once a strong political statement urging equality, had instead become a "celebration".
So does this act mark the end of the road for gay rights campaigning?
So does this act mark the end of the road for gay rights campaigning?
"It's one of the final jigsaw pieces to put in place," says Angela Eagle, one of the few openly lesbian MPs. But there are a few reforms required "round the edges", she adds, such as harsher sentences for violence targeting homosexuals and women.
"It's one of the final jigsaw pieces to put in place," says Angela Eagle, one of the few openly lesbian MPs. But there are a few reforms required "round the edges", she adds, such as harsher sentences for violence targeting homosexuals and women.
Sexual 'apartheid'
Sexual 'apartheid'
The journey of the gay rights movement from fringe to political mainstream is neatly reflected by the career of Peter Tatchell, who began protesting in the UK in 1971 and is now preparing to stand as parliamentary candidate for the Green Party.
The journey of the gay rights movement from fringe to political mainstream is neatly reflected by the career of Peter Tatchell, who began protesting in the UK in 1971 and is now preparing to stand as parliamentary candidate for the Green Party.
"We've overturned nearly all the homophobic legal discrimination in the last decade," he says. "The gay rights movement has been one of the most successful law reform movements of all time."
"We've overturned nearly all the homophobic legal discrimination in the last decade," he says. "The gay rights movement has been one of the most successful law reform movements of all time."
More than 30 years ago, the focus was on police harassment, the medical classification of homosexuality as a disease and pubs that refused to serve gays and lesbians.
More than 30 years ago, the focus was on police harassment, the medical classification of homosexuality as a disease and pubs that refused to serve gays and lesbians.
LANDMARK LAWS 1999: Ban lifted on serving in Armed Forces2001: Age of consent made 162002: Same-sex couples can adopt2003: Repeal of Section 282005: Civil partnerships2007: Equality laws
LANDMARK LAWS 1999: Ban lifted on serving in Armed Forces2001: Age of consent made 162002: Same-sex couples can adopt2003: Repeal of Section 282005: Civil partnerships2007: Equality laws
Things have moved quickly since but there's still plenty to do, says Mr Tatchell, not least fixing the "sexual apartheid" which stops gay people from getting married and heterosexual couples from civil partnerships.
Things have moved quickly since but there's still plenty to do, says Mr Tatchell, not least fixing the "sexual apartheid" which stops gay people from getting married and heterosexual couples from civil partnerships.
Other outstanding issues include addressing injustice for asylum seekers fleeing homophobic persecution and punishing homophobic reggae singers and Muslim clerics who openly advocate the murder of gay people but escape prosecution, he says.
Other outstanding issues include addressing injustice for asylum seekers fleeing homophobic persecution and punishing homophobic reggae singers and Muslim clerics who openly advocate the murder of gay people but escape prosecution, he says.
But changing the law isn't everything, he says, because there are still bastions of homophobia such as sport and business.
But changing the law isn't everything, he says, because there are still bastions of homophobia such as sport and business.
Michael Cashman MEP, who co-founded Stonewall in 1988 with Ian McKellen and Douglas Slater, says: "Just because we have achieved equality doesn't mean we pack up and go home."
Michael Cashman MEP, who co-founded Stonewall in 1988 with Ian McKellen and Douglas Slater, says: "Just because we have achieved equality doesn't mean we pack up and go home."
Laws can be changed suddenly, he says, and there is still homophobia within religious organisations and a rising tide of prejudice in eastern Europe.
Laws can be changed suddenly, he says, and there is still homophobia within religious organisations and a rising tide of prejudice in eastern Europe.
Cashman (left) says the EastEnders gay kiss changed attitudes
Cashman (left) says the EastEnders gay kiss changed attitudes
Twenty years ago, Mr Cashman's on-screen gay kiss as Colin in EastEnders caused a storm and he believes that storyline began the social change which happened alongside the legal reform.
Twenty years ago, Mr Cashman's on-screen gay kiss as Colin in EastEnders caused a storm and he believes that storyline began the social change which happened alongside the legal reform.
And the way the Pride events have become less political as a result is something to celebrate and not regret, he says.
And the way the Pride events have become less political as a result is something to celebrate and not regret, he says.
"I think young gay people recognise that if you don't have time to party, you don't have time to live. Equality is absolutely about getting on with your life and the difference being taken out of the equation.
"I think young gay people recognise that if you don't have time to party, you don't have time to live. Equality is absolutely about getting on with your life and the difference being taken out of the equation.
"What I love about Pride is seeing our Armed Forces and our police and fire service and ambulance service marching in their uniform, feeling proud and not feeling under threat."
"What I love about Pride is seeing our Armed Forces and our police and fire service and ambulance service marching in their uniform, feeling proud and not feeling under threat."
There's a creeping apathy and complacency within the lesbian and gay community Peter Tatchell But Mr Tatchell says young gay people should be more aware of the battles of the past.
There's a creeping apathy and complacency within the lesbian and gay community Peter Tatchell But Mr Tatchell says young gay people should be more aware of the battles of the past.
"Since most of the institutional homophobia has been overturned, there's a creeping apathy and complacency within the lesbian and gay community.
"Since most of the institutional homophobia has been overturned, there's a creeping apathy and complacency within the lesbian and gay community.
"Most people no longer see the need to campaign. They take all the recent recognition for granted and assume that the battle for equality is over."
"Most people no longer see the need to campaign. They take all the recent recognition for granted and assume that the battle for equality is over."
Ian Burford and Alex Cannell, partners for 45 years, remember the time when attending a gay pub could provoke a police raid and arrest.
Ian Burford and Alex Cannell, partners for 45 years, remember the time when attending a gay pub could provoke a police raid and arrest.
"We were criminals and anyone eminent was open to blackmail," says Ian, 74. "But we were lucky our circle of friends were tolerant people living in a city."
"We were criminals and anyone eminent was open to blackmail," says Ian, 74. "But we were lucky our circle of friends were tolerant people living in a city."
Same-sex couples can have a civil partnership not marriage
Same-sex couples can have a civil partnership not marriage
They were the first couple to sign the London Partnerships Register in 2001 and say the speed of change has surprised them.
They were the first couple to sign the London Partnerships Register in 2001 and say the speed of change has surprised them.
But novelist Jake Arnott, creator of iconic gay gangster Harry Sparks in The Long Firm, hopes the legal reform is just the beginning.
But novelist Jake Arnott, creator of iconic gay gangster Harry Sparks in The Long Firm, hopes the legal reform is just the beginning.
"In the 70s there was a much stronger notion of liberation. It's good there's a sense of a level playing field but I think what needs to happen is a sort of return to that idea that there needs to be a whole sense of liberation about sexuality and gender.
"In the 70s there was a much stronger notion of liberation. It's good there's a sense of a level playing field but I think what needs to happen is a sort of return to that idea that there needs to be a whole sense of liberation about sexuality and gender.
"The problem is that it [this act] means everything is parcelled up and everyone gets their own slice of things, but there's still a huge problem in the way people express themselves or are allowed to express themselves in their emotional and sexual lives."
"The problem is that it [this act] means everything is parcelled up and everyone gets their own slice of things, but there's still a huge problem in the way people express themselves or are allowed to express themselves in their emotional and sexual lives."
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
