Ian McKellen fears a return of Thatcher-era law banning “promotion of homosexuality”

Sir Ian McKellen at Manchester Pride Parade on Saturday the 28th of August 2010
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Out actor Sir Ian McKellen says he fears a return of a 1980’s law banning “promotion of homosexuality” in schools in the United Kingdom.

Laws modeled on Florida’s infamous Parental Rights in Education Act — commonly known as “Don’t Say Gay” laws — have been passed in states across the U.S. to restrict and, in many cases, ban discussion of gender and sexuality in schools. But the U.K. had its own version of “Don’t Say Gay” not so long ago.

Introduced by Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 1988, Section 28 banned the “promotion of homosexuality” by local authorities, including schools. The law was repealed in Scotland in 2000 and in England and Wales in 2003.

McKellen has said that his decision to come out as gay in 1988 was directly related to his opposition to Section 28. The 83-year-old Tony and Golden Globe-winning actor has since become an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights around the world.

But in a new interview with Attitude, McKellen said that he is beginning to fear…

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