BBC

When did being gay become a crime?

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Radio 4 Extra is BBC Radio's archive entertainment network broadcasting classic comedy, drama and features. Bringing you well loved BBC Radio 4 programmes and extra content that listeners can engage with on-line through films and audio.

The film

’When did being being gay become a crime’ was made as part of the BBC’s ‘Gay Britannia’ season, a series of programmes made in 2017 which marked the 50th anniversary of The Sexual Offences Act 1967, which partially decriminalised gay sex.

In this film, journalist Ben Hunte looks at the laws that made homosexuality illegal in the UK pre 1967.

From prejudice to pride, this is a story of double-lives, suicides and brave fights that go all the way back to Henry VIII.

The context

Other films in the BBC"s Gay Britannia season can be viewed here.