InsaneJournal

Homosexuality in MWPP

Homosexuality a guide to gay rights in the mwpp era    Though the United Kingdom has become a model of progressiveness in terms of gay rights, the attitudes and laws toward homosexuality have not always been so friendly. The following is a guide to help you accurately portray your gay, lesbian, or bisexual character in this time period. I. Legality; Prior to the late 60s, male homosexuality was illegal in the entirety of the United Kingdom and Great Britain. Punishments for being caught in 'acts of indecency' included death (until 1861) and imprisonment, regardless of whether the acts were public or private. Though the late 1950s heralded some changes in the attitudes of politicians, some of whom supported the decriminalisation of private acts between consenting adults, it wasn't until 1967 that the Sexual Offences Act went into practise. Though it made homosexuality legal (in England and Wales only), there were vast differences between the legality of heterosexuality and sex between two men. The gist of the Act is as follows: 1. The act had to be between no more than two men 2. The act had to be in private (this did not include hotels or homes in which another person was present - regardless of whether they were in the room) 3. The males had to be over the age of 21 (versus 16 for heterosexuals) These laws remained in effect until the 90s, when reforms made privacy a more modern concept and the age of consent was equalised. Scotland followed suit in 1981 with the Criminal Justice Act. Northern Ireland in 1982 with the Homosexual Offences Order, and Ireland in 1994, only after the issue was taken up with the European Court of Human Rights. The Isle of Man, typically considered the most homophobic of the British Isles, did not decriminalise homosexuality until 1994, and their unequal age of consent laws were in place until 2006. What you need to know for 1979: 1. Homosexuality is only legal in England and Wales 2. Sex is only legal in the privacy of your home with no one else present, between two males over 21 3. Lesbianism has never been an issue, legally, so has never been considered 'illegal.'   II. Gay Rights; One of the most difficult aspects of early gay rights for people of this generation to deal with is that in the 60s and 70s, despite progression in laws, homosexuals had little to no rights. Anti-discrimination laws did not come into effect until 2005 at the earliest. Discrimination can include anything from 'non-violent hate crimes' to unfair hiring, housing, and financial practises.   III. The Wizarding World; This is where I would like your input - it is my opinion that the laws will probably be laxer but the attitudes more wary. We've already seen that women seem to have gained equal rights more quickly than in muggle land, so it might make sense for gays to have right more soon as well. Also, since the MoM controls the entire British Isles, regardless of country, we will have one law for everyone.   IV. The Lingo; Homophobia - mentioned in literature in the 60s and 70s; did not come into popular/public use until the 80s.