There are some who have alleged that Hugh Grant cannot act; but if you enjoyed “A Very English Scandal” as much as I did, you will have witnessed his superb portrayal of Jeremy Thorpe, MP, erstwhile leader of the Liberal Party. As someone who well remembers the extraordinary events surrounding the shooting of a Great Dane in a layby on the Devon Moors in 1975, it really brought the events back to life. How was it that a respectable and influential politician should end up in Court charged with attempted murder of his alleged lover Norman Scott? Thorpe was acquitted by the jury but suspicions about his actions remained with him throughout his life and he withdrew from the public gaze until his death in 2014.
Thorpe was a married man but in the end he admitted a homosexual relationship with Scott many years his junior. When he later became leader of his party, the potential scandal of such a relationship was more than he could bear and it was alleged that he hired a hit man to kill Scott. The sexual relationship had taken place 6 years before the passing of the Sexual Offences Act 1967 which partially decriminalised gay sex. The revelations threatened to, and ultimately did, destroy his political career.
The Sexual Offences Act was the beginning of a change in attitude to same sex relationships in the UK. However some of the public comments of the time are instructive. Some of their good Lords were of the view that Homosexuals were disgusting and prison was too good a place for them. Even Lord Arran the promotor of the Bill asked those of such tendencies to show their thanks to Parliament by comporting themselves quietly and with dignity for any form of ostentation or public flaunting would in his words be “distasteful and make the sponsors of the Bill regret what they had done”
I have set out some of this history to put into context the sheer bravery and determination of the Pride movement which in 1970 in New York City started the first public marches. The turning point had been the Stonewall Riots in Greenwich Village a year earlier where LGBT people for the first time resisted the discrimination they suffered at the hands of the NYPD. Gradually self-confidence and determination to make a difference led to the Pride movement which we know so well today. Perhaps Lord Arran is turning in his grave or maybe not. But his attitude at the time showed just what barriers the LBGT movement had to overcome to get to where it is today.
Liverpool Pride is into its ninth year and the event seems to grow annually. This year it takes place on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th July in the various city centre venues. As usual, the Jackson Lees Group has a stand in the Community Expo in Pownall Square off Tithebarn Street in the city centre. We are delighted to be supporting this event and to join in the celebration of human diversity which the Pride event represents.
Changes in attitude are hard won but homophobic behaviour and attitudes still prevail in certain quarters and round the world, homophobia is alive and well. As a law firm that believes in making a positive difference, we will continue to support the Pride festival and oppose discriminatory behaviour through Human Rights legislation whenever and wherever it is appropriate; and we will also celebrate respect for fellow human beings whatever their sexuality.