Stonewall

Papers of Stonewall (1976-2016), including: posters, postcards, flyers, newsletters and other ephemera produced by Stonewall for its various campaigns, 1988-2016; press cuttings regarding Stonewall's campaigns and activities, 2010-2015; photographs of Stonewall campaigns, activities, personalities and events, 1988-2014; programmes for Stonewall Equality Shows and dinners, 1993-2013; DVDs and audio cassettes of films produced by Stonewall and of appearances by Stonewall in the media, 1990-2014

Stonewall was founded in 1989 by a small group of women and men who had been active in the struggle against Section 28 of the Local Government Act. Section 28 was an offensive piece of legislation designed to prevent the so-called 'promotion' of homosexuality in schools; as well as stigmatising lesbian, gay and bisexual people it also galvanised the LGBT community. The aim from the outset was to create a professional lobbying group that would prevent such attacks on lesbians, gay men and bisexual people from ever occurring again. Stonewall has subsequently put the case for equality on the mainstream political agenda by winning support within all the main political parties and now has offices in England, Scotland and Wales. Stonewall is renowned for its campaigning and lobbying. Some major successes include helping achieve the equalisation of the age of consent, lifting the ban on LGB people serving in the military, securing legislation allowing same-sex couples to adopt and the repeal of Section 28. More recently Stonewall has helped secure civil partnerships and then equal marriage and ensured the recent Equality Act protected lesbian, gay and bisexual people in terms of goods and services.

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Deposted with Bishopsgate Institute by Stonewall (via Roy Peterson), 18 August 2014.

Adlib catalogue and handlist available in researcher's area

Entry compiled by Grace Biggins

Photocopying and digital photography (without flash) is permitted for research purposes on completion of the Library's Copyright Declaration form and with respect to current UK copyright law.