| AdminHistory | The Group was created in response to Section 28 (formerly known as Clause 28) of the Local Government Act 1988. The clause imposed a legal ban on the promotion of homosexuality by local authorities and by schools and libraries.
The threat of Section 28 launched the gay rights movement in Britain into action. Tower Hamlets Lesbian and Gay Campaign Group campaigned against its introduction. The Group launched the 'Stop Clause 28' campaign and lobbied Tower Hamlets Council to not enforce it. Key members of the group included Revered Richard Kirker, Paul Barlow and Gerard Magherini.
On 8 April 1988, a national day of protest was held. Tower Hamlets Lesbian and Gay Campaign Group created the Pink Postcard Protest. Thousands of small pink postcards were sent to supporters to send to Tower Hamlets councillors. A giant pink postcard was presented to then-Mayor Brian Williams, who collected it on behalf of the council at Bethnal Green Town Hall. Tower Hamlets Council condemned the clause, declaring it was 'an attack on the independence of Local Authorities, and an attack on individual civil liberties.' Despite widespread opposition, Section 28 was enacted on 24 May 1988.
The Group continued to protest, lobbying the council not to enforce the Section. The Group created exhibitions such as 'Lesbians, Gays and the Law: An Exhibition Against Section 28' and 'Stronger than Pride: An Exhibition Against Section 28' to raise awareness about the new law, and their cause.
Section 28 was as ambiguous. Campaigners feared that Section 28 banned local councils, schools and libraries from having any literature including plays, leaflets, books or information featuring gay people. For libraries in local authorities, the Library Association published a briefing on the prohibition of teaching or publishing material which 'promoted homosexuality.'
Tower Hamlets Central Library at Bancroft Road produced in the same month Section 28 became law, the Library's Gay and Lesbian Booklist (reference: LC12596). The library declared that the books were not a 'recommend list
..simply details of over sixty titles with gay and lesbian themes'. The booklist further stated that 'if your favourite title isn't here please let us know, we will be glad to obtain it for you'. The Library service's defiance against Section 28 was covered in the press collected by the Group (archive reference: S/LGG/2/3).
The Group also campaigned on other matters including a 'Lock Up Gays' article published in the Afro-Carribean and Asian magazine 'Platform' in 1987 (archive reference: S/LGG/1). |