Celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month, 5th February

This month we will be focussing on the History of the LGBTQ+ Community. We will be posting daily facts that are associated with people and communities that are part of a minority sexuality or gender identity.  We hope you learn something that you didn’t know before about LGBTQ+ History!

Changing Marriage Laws

Before the Civil Partnership Law of 2004 LGBTQ+ relationships were not legally recognised by the UK government.  This meant that people had less rights if their partner died, less access to some government services and most importantly were unable to legally register themselves as being in a relationship.

Between 2004 and 2014 LGBTQ+ couples could “get married”, but it wasn’t called “getting married”.  Couples could register their relationships and gain most of the benefits of being married in this country.  However, legally the relationship was not called “marriage”.

In 2014 the law finally changed to allow LGBTQ+ relationships to be recognised through marriage.  There was a huge surge in weddings at this point, and some of the earliest weddings were even broadcast on TV.

Find out more - Same sex marriage in the United Kingdom

If students would like to discuss any of their needs regarding sexuality or gender identity then they can speak with any trusted adult at Stratford School Academy. Students can also contact Childline on 0800 1111 and be referred to sexuality and gender specialists.