Society's Changing Views Regarding Homosexuality
Example
Explain the social norms /
Key event: Outline what happened
mores / values towards
during this period...
homosexuality at the time...
In the 16th century, Homosexuality was considered
Pre-1950s homosexual acts were immoral and a sin, which was
punishable by death under the used to justify persecution. The
Buggery Act 1533. act was introduced during the
time of Henry VIII when the
values of the Catholic Church
and Christianity was very
influential.
In the 1950s there were In 1957, the Wolfenden Report
1950s several high-profile arrests for was published, which concluded
Call for Legal acts of homosexual indecency. that the laws were an infringement
Change Such as Oscar Wilde and Alan on civil liberty and that the law
Turning. This allowed the open should not intrude into matters of
discussion for a change in the personal morality. However,
law. homosexuality was still in general
viewed as negative and therefore
not considered a norm.
In 1967 homosexuality was However, homosexuality
1967 decriminalised in England was still in general
Sexual Offences and Wales under the Sexual negative. At this time
Act Offences Act, with the age of homosexuality would not
consent set as 21 years old. have been seem as a
However, social attitudes norm.
towards homosexuality was
still quite negative.
In the 1980s, the arrival of HIV Due to the stigma surrounding
1980s caused intense media scrutiny HIV and lack of education, many
HIV / AIDS of a new and frightening in society blamed homosexuality
disease; Acquired for the virus spreading. AIDS
Immunodeficiency Syndrome was initially called gay-related
(AIDS). immune deficiency (GRID).
Negative attitudes towards
homosexuality.
4
Example
Explain the social norms /
Key event: Outline what happened
mores / values towards
during this period...
homosexuality at the time...
In the 16th century, Homosexuality was considered
Pre-1950s homosexual acts were immoral and a sin, which was
punishable by death under the used to justify persecution. The
Buggery Act 1533. act was introduced during the
time of Henry VIII when the
values of the Catholic Church
and Christianity was very
influential.
In the 1950s there were In 1957, the Wolfenden Report
1950s several high-profile arrests for was published, which concluded
Call for Legal acts of homosexual indecency. that the laws were an infringement
Change Such as Oscar Wilde and Alan on civil liberty and that the law
Turning. This allowed the open should not intrude into matters of
discussion for a change in the personal morality. However,
law. homosexuality was still in general
viewed as negative and therefore
not considered a norm.
In 1967 homosexuality was However, homosexuality
1967 decriminalised in England was still in general
Sexual Offences and Wales under the Sexual negative. At this time
Act Offences Act, with the age of homosexuality would not
consent set as 21 years old. have been seem as a
However, social attitudes norm.
towards homosexuality was
still quite negative.
In the 1980s, the arrival of HIV Due to the stigma surrounding
1980s caused intense media scrutiny HIV and lack of education, many
HIV / AIDS of a new and frightening in society blamed homosexuality
disease; Acquired for the virus spreading. AIDS
Immunodeficiency Syndrome was initially called gay-related
(AIDS). immune deficiency (GRID).
Negative attitudes towards
homosexuality.
4
