How a fearless activist forced Isle of Man to end its gay sex ban – and why his fight isn’t over

 | 
07/14/2021

On 10 July, 1991, local gay rights campaigner Alan Shea, supported by activists from LGBT+ group OutRage! In London, demanded the end of the Isle of Man’s homosexuality ban. Although homosexuality was partially decriminalised in England and Wales in 1967, followed by Scotland and Northern Ireland in the early ’80s, sex between men remained punishable by life imprisonment on the Isle of Man until 1992. The island is a crown dependency and maintains autonomy from the UK on issues such as marriage (it would go on to legalise same-sex marriage in 2016). Shea handed over a petition calling for change wearing a striped uniform like that of Nazi concentration camp victims, causing an uproar on the island. According to the Guardian, Shea customised a set of striped Marks & Spencer pyjamas with a pink triangle, which the Nazis used to mark out LGBT+ people. He modified the pink triangle to include the Isle of Man’s three-legged symbol and included the government’s phone number as a “prisoner number”.

Share this:

Latest Global News

Added on: 03/27/2024
03/27/2024
Thailand is set to become the first Southeast Asian nation to recognise equal marriage after politicians passed a same-sex marriage bill. The lower house …
Added on: 03/27/2024
03/26/2024
Organisers of the Gay Games Hong Kong (GGHK) have said that its event last year generated HK$200 million for the local economy, with contributions …
Added on: 03/27/2024
03/26/2024
Even as people fight for justice, some cries remain unheard and voices unanswered. In American society, many of these lost voices belong to the …

Explore LGBTQ+ Issues

Other News from ,

Added on: 03/27/2024
Azerbaijan’s LGBTQI+ community was rocked by the news of yet another murder of a trans woman whose body was found on March 12 on …
Added on: 03/26/2024
Britain’s National Health Service has responded to public pressure by banning puberty blockers for minors, but there is still a long way to go …
Added on: 03/26/2024
Georgia’s ruling party on Monday introduced a bill curtailing LGBT rights, a move seen by opponents as an attempt to boost its popularity ahead …