Do you remember gay life in Britain before 1967? The BBC wants to hear from you
In an age of equal marriage, gay parenting and, erm, Sam Smith, it’s easy to forget the dark shadow older generations of gay men lived under before the decriminalisation of homosexuality in England and Wales less than 50 years ago.
Now, the BBC are hoping to document the era when being gay could still land you in prison in a new film which mixes drama with personal testimonies of those who remember life before the 1967 Sexual Offences Act.
Whether it’s finding love against the odds, secret relationships, run-ins with the police or experiencing the trauma of gay ‘conversion’ therapy (which was often administered by the NHS at the time), gay life before decriminalisation is teeming with stories, both horrific and hopeful, that are all too rarely heard.
The BBC’s in-house documentary team are looking for men aged 70 and above to share their experiences as part of their research process, so if you or someone you know wishes to get involved, you can email Harry Pick at harry.pick@bbc.co.uk or call him on 07834 755395 and leave a message.
There is no obligation to take part in any filming, but your story can be heard as this important new film sheds light on a vital part of gay history – we can’t wait to see the end result.
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