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This course will examine links between sexuality, colonialism and postcolonial gay rights, and look at homophobic colonial-era laws that might still be in place around the world.
Human Rights NGOs have done an impressive job at improving gay rights over the world but nuances of their work can often be overlooked. We must examine this work critically.
This session shall set some of their campaigns in a geopolitical backdrop and will bring to light possible obstacles. Could the entire system of improving gay rights be radically different?
What will we cover?
an overview of the history of law for men having sex with men in Europe and Britain
examples of Western postcolonial interventions and their outcomes
examples of Gay activism
reforms: possible, desirable and if so, who and how?
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
begin to understand the historical relations between colonised and coloniser countries and the ongoing power dynamics
begin to link notions of globalisation, sexuality, and the policing of sexuality via law in both past and present circumstances
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?
Illustrated class lectures and discussions.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Josh is an activist and academic in Law. His areas are Human Rights, Sexuality and (Post-)Colonialism, and he teaches at various universities across London in Law and Social Work. He has spent many years campaigning for the international decriminalisation of same-sex activity as part of various NGOs. Josh has cerebral palsy, which affects his speech; his assistant will be on hand while everyone gets to know him. All Josh's classes are taught in a non-judgemental and safe space, regardless of content. He is also a disability activist, and provides disability consultancy for around twenty different organisations; and is the co-creator of the award-winning 'Animal', a play on Sexuality, reliance and disability. He volunteers in the mental health sector and has delivered training in this area for many years. This term he is teaching a class on Sexuality and Colonialism, and another class on Introduction to Human Rights Law. He will be running a class on Disability in the new year.
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.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/should-we-be-universally-proud-of-gay-rights3028651Should we be universally proud of gay rights?https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/global-history.jpg1919GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Politics & economics/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Politics & economics/Global & regional politics228511771677135421228511771677<p>Nearly seventy countries still criminalise gay sex. Is the West on the right path to universal decriminalisation of same-sex activity?</p>003028645Should we be universally proud of gay rights?1919https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/global-history.jpgInStockEveningMonKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2026-07-13T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJul 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHPC3271919Should we be universally proud of gay rights?191919Joshua Heppleshould-we-be-universally-proud-of-gay-rights/hpc327-2526<p>Nearly seventy countries still criminalise gay sex. Is the West on the right path to universal decriminalisation of same-sex activity?</p>0000-Available|2026-07-13 00:00:00<p>This course will examine links between sexuality, colonialism and postcolonial gay rights, and look at homophobic colonial-era laws that might still be in place around the world.</p><p>Human Rights NGOs have done an impressive job at improving gay rights over the world but nuances of their work can often be overlooked. We must examine this work critically.</p><p>This session shall set some of their campaigns in a geopolitical backdrop and will bring to light possible obstacles. Could the entire system of improving gay rights be radically different?</p><p>Nearly seventy countries still criminalise gay sex. Is the West on the right path to universal decriminalisation of same-sex activity?</p><ul><li>an overview of the history of law for men having sex with men in Europe and Britain</li><li>examples of Western postcolonial interventions and their outcomes</li><li>examples of Gay activism</li><li>reforms: possible, desirable and if so, who and how?</li></ul><ul><li>begin to understand the historical relations between colonised and coloniser countries and the ongoing power dynamics</li><li>begin to link notions of globalisation, sexuality, and the policing of sexuality via law in both past and present circumstances</li></ul><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>Illustrated class lectures and discussions.</p><p>There are no additional course materials.</p><p>Browse our full range of <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Culture, History & Humanities Courses</a>.</p>Politics & economicsGlobal & regional politicsvirtual191919HPC327NONEMon13/07/2618:00 - 20:0018:0020:001 session1One-off onlyEveningWeekdayKSKeeley StreetJoshua HeppleBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-07-13T00:00:00+00:00Jul 2026Culture, history & humanities1919Should we be universally proud of gay rights?should-we-be-universally-proud-of-gay-rights/hpc327-2526<p>Nearly seventy countries still criminalise gay sex. Is the West on the right path to universal decriminalisation of same-sex activity?</p>0000-Available|2026-07-13 00:00:00<p>This course will examine links between sexuality, colonialism and postcolonial gay rights, and look at homophobic colonial-era laws that might still be in place around the world.</p><p>Human Rights NGOs have done an impressive job at improving gay rights over the world but nuances of their work can often be overlooked. We must examine this work critically.</p><p>This session shall set some of their campaigns in a geopolitical backdrop and will bring to light possible obstacles. Could the entire system of improving gay rights be radically different?</p><p>Nearly seventy countries still criminalise gay sex. Is the West on the right path to universal decriminalisation of same-sex activity?</p><ul><li>an overview of the history of law for men having sex with men in Europe and Britain</li><li>examples of Western postcolonial interventions and their outcomes</li><li>examples of Gay activism</li><li>reforms: possible, desirable and if so, who and how?</li></ul><ul><li>begin to understand the historical relations between colonised and coloniser countries and the ongoing power dynamics</li><li>begin to link notions of globalisation, sexuality, and the policing of sexuality via law in both past and present circumstances</li></ul><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>Illustrated class lectures and discussions.</p><p>There are no additional course materials.</p><p>Browse our full range of <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Culture, History &amp; Humanities Courses</a>.</p>Politics & economicsGlobal & regional politicsconfigurable
