.contact us |.about us
News > International News ... ...
Search:
    Advertisement
Britain repeals gay law after long fight
( 2003-09-19 13:48) (Agencies)

A law against "promotion" of homosexuality was removed from the British statute books Thursday, after more than a decade of gay-rights protests.

"Today's repeal of Section 28 is a triumph for 21st-century tolerance over 19th-century prejudice," said Ben Summerskill, chief executive of gay justice group Stonewall.

The law, which barred local government councils from "promoting" homosexuality, was the subject of protests from the moment it was introduced under Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 1988. It was devised to deal with concerns over homosexual content in sex education, but was condemned by campaigners as discriminatory.

Its repeal was one of the campaign promises of Prime Minister Tony Blair (news - web sites)'s Labor Party when it ousted the Conservatives in 1997.

Government officials said the law inhibits staff in local authorities, which run many schools and colleges, from counseling gay and lesbian people, and makes it difficult for teachers to stop people from bullying homosexual students.

The government welcomed the law's disappearance as a new Local Government Act became law Thursday.

"The government is pleased that Parliament has taken advantage of this opportunity to remove this unnecessary and offensive piece of legislation — which has fueled prejudice and stigmatized homosexuality — from the statute book," said Nick Raynsford, minister for local government.

 
Close  
   
  Today's Top News   Top International News
   
+WHO: Bird flu death rises to 15; vaccination recommended
(2004-02-05)
+Solana: EU ready to lift China arms embargo
(2004-02-05)
+Nation tops TV, cell phone, monitor production
(2004-02-05)
+Absence ... still makes China hot
(2004-02-05)
+Hu: Developing world in key role
(2004-02-04)
+WHO: Bird flu death rises to 15; vaccination recommended
(2004-02-05)
+Solana: EU ready to lift China arms embargo
(2004-02-05)
+US court clears way for gay marriages
(2004-02-05)
+Pakistan nuke scientist asks forgiveness
(2004-02-05)
+Sharon ready for referendum on scrapping settlements
(2004-02-05)
   
  Go to Another Section  
     
 
 
     
  Article Tools  
     
 
 
     
  Related Articles  
     
 

+NYC to open first gay public high school
2003-07-30

+Bush rejects push to OK gay marriages
2003-07-31

+Talk of misconduct delays gay bishop vote
2003-08-05

+Gay US bishop quarrel tests Anglican leader
2003-08-06

+Episcopalian conservatives protest gay vote
2003-08-07

+Malawi could sever ties over gay bishop
2003-08-12

+China not to legalize same-sex marriages
2003-08-20

+Canada urged to hold referendum on gay marriage
2003-08-21

+High school for gay students draws criticism
2003-08-26

+Canadian legislators targeted on gay marriage
2003-09-03

+Canada House defeats motion against gay marriage
2003-09-17

+Canada may alter gay marriage plans, minister says
2003-09-18

+Canada opposition sets bill to defeat gay marriage
2003-09-19

+Canadian gay married couple hits snag at U.S. border
2003-09-19

   
        .contact us |.about us
  Copyright By chinadaily.com.cn. All rights reserved