Free learning resources from arts, cultural and heritage organisations.

Teachers' Notes

This resource was created by the London School of Economics.

The resource uses campaign material and photographs in the Hall Carpenter Archives at LSE Library. It draws on activism carried out by members of The Campaign for Homosexual Equality (CHE) and the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) to make LGBTQ+ people more visible in the 1970s and combat homophobia in the early 1970s.

 

Curriculum Links

RSE – Same Sex Relationships and Sexuality: tolerance towards others, how freedoms have come about in the UK, freedom of expression, campaigns for equality, positive relationships and an understanding of stereotypes.

Citizenship – British Values: this reinforces tolerance around sexuality, how people form identity and how LGBTQ+IA people won rights in Britain.

 

Discussion Points

  • How and why did Pride begin? (Can bring in wider context and mix of legal change and continued repression).
  • Is there a difference between what should happen and what actually does happen for LGBTQ+ people in society?
  • What demands would you make to combat homophobia? In the UK? Internationally?
  • The stories of LGBTQ+ people in the past tend to be more difficult to find in the historical record, and so they are under-represented. Why might this be?


Activity Ideas

  • Look at the Gay Liberation Front demands (see Images in Resources). Which demands have been met by law in the UK today? Have all the demands been met in society?

    This document can be printed out and used as a resource in the classroom / group. It may be worth outlining the context of the GLF as a radical liberation organization seeking to change society, rather than demand legal equality.
  • Research your local area for LGBT+ people and / or groups from the past. Many major towns and several County Archive/Record offices now have LGBT resources online at their respective websites.

    What is available in your area?