Submitted by Steven Jones on Friday 6th February 2026
Published on Tuesday 24th March 2026
Current status: Open
Open until: Thursday 24th September 2026
Current Signatures: 2,855
(count is updated approximately hourly)
Relevant Departments
Tagged with
Culture ~ environment ~ Forced ~ Hiding ~ Hostile ~ hostile environment ~ Identity ~ IMPACT ~ Inquiry ~ launch ~ LGBTQ ~ local ~ Promoting ~ Public inquiry ~ relationship ~ Sacked ~ Schools ~ Secondary ~ Secondary schools ~ section ~ Section 28 ~ Staff ~ teaching ~ Young people
Launch a public inquiry into the impact of Section 28 on LGBTQ people
We call on the Government to launch a public inquiry into the impact of Section 28 of the Local Government Act (1988) which specified that Local Authorities could not intentionally promote, through material or teaching, homosexuality or same-sex relationships as a 'pretended family relationship’
Section 28 created a very hostile environment for young people and staff in secondary schools from its introduction in 1988 until it was finally repealed in 2003. Students were unable to get support at school and staff were forced to hide their identity, fearing they would be sacked. This hostile culture continued after repeal and impacts LGBTQ people throughout their life.
A public inquiry is needed to assess the impact this had and to what extent the culture it created still exists today.
If you want to sign this petition (as opposed to merely discuss it), you need to do that on the government's e-Petitions website.
216.73.217.179 Tue, 23 Jun 2026 11:16:17 +0100
