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

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.

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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 The law was repealed in Scotland in 2000 and in England and Wales in 2003.

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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 the introduction of restrictions that echo those in Section 28.

When asked if he feared a return of the law, McKellen said, “If you’d asked me that six hours ago, I’d have said no, I don’t.”

But, he explained, he has spoken with one member of the U.K.’s center-left Labor Party who says that restrictions on how schools can address gender may be on the way.

“I talked to Michael Cashman. He says things aren’t looking good, and that there are going to be restrictions on discussions about gender which you may or may not have. Which is to disadvantage trans people,” McKellen said.

Under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the U.K. government has been considering new guidance that would ban social transitioning in schools and force school officials to out trans and nonbinary students to their parents. Earlier this month, Sunak was said to be considering dropping the plan, though no decision has been announced.  

“If they think they’re going to get votes by doing that,” McKellan said of the proposed anti-trans guidance, “I think they’re sadly mistaken.”

Critics have said that the proposed guidance flies in the face of LGBTQ+ protections under the U.K.’s Equality Act. As Attitude notes, under the 2010 law, U.K. schools are required to ensure that students do not face anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination.

“I hope it’s too late now, and that schools have reversed and follow the law. And do not discriminate on the grounds of sexuality. That’s the law of the land,” McKellen said. “But I suppose that law could be tweaked. And that would be dreadful.”

The Lord of the Rings star described visiting schools in recent years and being encouraged by the level of acceptance of LGBTQ+ people.

“I think governments who will now try to change things, put things in reverse will find it very difficult,” he said. “I think there would be revolution in the streets, frankly.”