With the tabloids ramming bad news down Britain’s throat like it’s going out of fashion, it’s hard to blame everyone for reaching the cabbie-inspired conclusion that the country is going to the dogs. A piss-poor economy, war, The Spice Girls’ canceled tour, where did it all go wrong? Don’t we all long for a return to the good old days?
Puffta doesn’t. Like a Morrisons-shopping, bitter old Granny, we sit in the corner, refusing to die, and telling you lot that ‘you’ve never had it so good’ – well, at least if you’re gay. Yes, 15 years ago you might have found something else to watch on Channel 4 apart from Big Brother, while global warming and Jade Goody weren’t on the radar, but then a gay boy also had to wait till 18 to lose his virginity legally.
Yes, that’s right, long before homos reached the dizzying heights of presenting prime time Friday night chat and quiz shows, they were more discriminated against in Britain than bearded, rucksack carrying men are now. So, with February being Gay History Month, we’re extending this rant into a civil rights lesson by outlining the legal milestones that mean we can wear our crop tops in public, marry, adopt and even join the army (if we want).

2000 Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act – age of consent equalised for Gay people at 16.

2000 Gay people allowed to serve in the armed forces.

2002 Adoption and Children Act – gay couples allowed to adopt children.

2003 Local Government Act – Section 28 (which bans the promotion of Homosexuality) is repealed.

2003 Discrimination in employment on grounds of sexuality made illegal.

2004 Civil Partnerships Act – gay couples can get ‘married’ in civil unions.