Section 28 and Collective Memory: LGBTQ+ Activism, Education, and Resistance
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- Start Date: 12 Jun 2025End Date: 26 Jun 2025Thu (Evening): 19:00 - 20:30OnlineFull fee £49.00 Senior fee £49.00 Concession £32.00
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What is the course about?
Section 28 was a law passed in 1988 to forbid ‘the promotion of homosexuality’ by local authorities. This course examines how Section 28 shaped LGBTQ+ activism, education, and cultural narratives from the 1980s to the present. We will analyse why the UK government introduced the law, its effects on education and society, and its legacy for contemporary LGBTQ+ communities.
What will we cover?
Session 1: Origins
- The origins of Section 28: why the government introduced it and how it was justified.
- The political and social climate of 1980s Britain, including the rise of moral conservatism and the "Loony Left" debates.
Session 2: Impact
- The impact of Section 28 on schools, teachers, and LGBTQ+ students.
- The wider effects of Section 28 on media, arts, and public discourse about LGBTQ+ identities.
- The role of activism and protest.
Session 3: Legacy
- How Section 28 is remembered today and its influence on current debates about LGBTQ+ representation in education and society.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Explain the political and social context that led to the introduction of Section 28.
- Analyse the impact of Section 28 on LGBTQ+ life in Britain.
- Evaluate the role of media and public discourse in shaping attitudes towards LGBTQ+ communities during this period.
- Assess how protest movements and campaigns challenged Section 28
- Discuss how Section 28 has been remembered and represented in collective memory and its relevance to contemporary debates on LGBTQ+ rights.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable both for newcomers to the subject and for those who have some background knowledge. You will need a good grasp of English to keep up with the course. An ability and willingness to explore relevant shared resources will increase what you get out of the course.
However, as with most of our history, politics and current affairs courses, an open mind and a respectful willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills.
Given the sensitive nature of some of the topics the course will explore, we also expect everyone to engage group and class discussions with respect and the willingness to learn from others.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Online class with lecture segments and discussion. There is no additional study outside the session..
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No additional costs, but you may wish to bring pen and paper or a digital equivalent for notetaking.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Please ask your tutor and explore our histories, memories and heritage section for other courses.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.