'Like being erased' - exhibition reveals impact of Section 28

The exhibition marks 20 years since the repeal of legislation in England and Wales

An exhibition is helping to showcase the experiences of LGBTQ+ people in the South West who lived under Section 28.

Section 28, which was introduced in 1988, stopped councils and schools "promoting the teaching of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship."

Section 28 and its Afterlives features material from 12 LGBTQ+ people who shared their stories of how Section 28 affected their lives at school, home and at work.

The exhibition marks the 20th anniversary of the law's repeal in England and Wales in 2003.

'Silencing and shame'

Dr Hannah Young, lecturer in history and project co-lead, said: "It sustained a wider atmosphere of silencing and shame, deeply felt at home, work and the wider public sphere.

"One participant in the project described how it felt 'like being erased while you’re still alive' and how they still feel the impact of this very keenly 20 years on.

"This project has revealed how much that LGBTQ+ people want their voice to be heard."

The exhibition has its last day at the Forum at the University of Exeter’s Streatham Campus on Friday and will be at the Positive Light Projects on Sidwell Street in Exeter from 18 to 22 November.

The project team are looking for more LGBTQ+ people in the South West to tell their stories about life under Section 28.