That same evening, a petition will be launched. It condemns the prosecution of the seven gay men for consenting sex in the privacy of their own homes, and calls for them not to be jailed.

Some of the men will be available for interview.

The Bolton 7 were convicted January 12 before judge Michael Lever at Bolton Crown Court .

"They were convicted because more than two men had sex together", said Peter Tatchell of OutRage!. http://www.OutRage.cygnet.co.uk

"Under the 1967 Sexual Offences Act, gay sex is illegal if more than two persons take part or are present. Equivalent heterosexual behavior is not a crime."

Three of the seven were also convicted of age of consent offences with a 17-1/2-year-old, (only six months below the gay age of consent of 18). The case is set to become a _cause celebre_ in the run-up to the parliamentary vote on the age of consent.

The Bolton 7 will be sentenced on February 20. Lawyers fear the three men convicted of sex with the 17-1/2-year-old --including one who was the teenager's lover at the time-could be imprisoned for up to FIVE YEARS.

"The convictions for consensual sex with a 17-1/2-year-old are in defiance of last October's ruling by the European Commission of Human Rights that Britain's unequal age of consent is unlawful, and have occurred just months before Parliament is expected to lower the gay age of consent to 16", said Tatchell.

* A Bolton 7 Defense Campaign has been launched.

* Over 200 people attended a protest meeting in Manchester Town Hall last Monday, (26th January).

* Dr. Evan Harris MP has tabled an Early Day Motion criticizing the prosecution.

* Amnesty International is investigating the case, and will probably adopt the men as "prisoners of conscience" if they are jailed.

* Two Bishops have written to the court, urging that the men not be imprisoned.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Please send a message condemning the prosecution, urging that the men NOT be jailed. The message must be sent to the defence solicitor, Janet Cragg, so she can present them to the judge BEFORE he passes sentence on the 20^th of February.