Sandi Toksvig, Simon Callow and Stephen K Amos among those involved.
The BBC has announced a new season of special programming to mark the 50th anniversary of The Sexual Offences Act. The historic parliamentary act was passed in 1967, partially decriminalising private homosexual acts between men over the age of 21.
To celebrate this anniversary, the BBC will broadcast a major season of programming entitled Gay Britannia. Programmes will be shown on BBC Two and Four with additional content across BBC radio and online.
They explained in an official statement:
“The Gay Britannia season will feature bold and provocative stories, celebrating the LGBTQ community as well as challenging existing preconceptions and prejudices. The season will also cast a fresh light on the history of gay Britain, as well as highlighting just what it means to be gay in Britain today.”
BBC Two Channel Controller Patrick Holland added:
“This season is a powerful examination of how far we have come whilst also exploring how much further we have to travel.”
In addition to compelling dramas, there will also be a number of fascinating and pertinent documentaries. Is It Safe To Be Gay In The UK? on BBC Two examines the rise of homophobic, biphobic and transphobic hate crime since the Brexit referendum. Gluck on BBC Four tells the untold story of British artist Hannah Glickstein, a celebrated painter of the 1930s who dressed as a man, described her exhibitions as “one man shows” and had many female lovers, and BBC Two’s What Gay Did For Art, exploring the significant contribution LGBTQ people have made to British culture over the last fifty years.
We can’t wait to enjoy all the queer TV, radio and online content. Contributors including Simon Callow, Sandi Toksvig and Stephen K Amos have been confirmed.
