Channel 4 are showing a series of programmes relating to the repeal of the homosexuality laws 40 years ago.
Tonight the programme was called ‘A Very British Scandal’ and was centred around the trial of Peter Wildeblood, Lord Montagu and Michael Pitt-Rivers during the early 50’s.
It has left me fucking raging.
There were interviews with men who were young gay men at the time.
The stories they told were awful.
Police kicking in their doors, searching without warrants and arresting them.
Police Agent Provocateurs wanking in public toilets then beating and arresting THEM for gross indecency.
Young men arrested and blackmailed into ‘grassing’ up others.
At trial, when asked outright if he was a homosexual, Wildeblood answered that he was.
One of the very first to do so. Up until that point the Press were laying odds for an acquittal.
He got 18 months.
When I start my Church of The Latter Day Pissed Up Testicosticals he will be one of its Saints.
Along with all those poor bastards who committed suicide because of their prosecutions.
Incorporated into the prayers will be wishes that every copper involved in that shit burns in Hell.
One of the more amusing bits was during the dramatisation of the deliberations of The Wolfenden Committee.
Lord Wolfenden suggested, for the benefit of the ladies present, that homosexuals be referred to as Huntley’s and the prostitutes as Palmers after the biscuits that were on the table!
7 comments:
Bloody horrific.
One of the great things about the TV series 'Life on Mars' was being reminded how far police behaviour and public attitudes had changed even since the 70s.
And then there are countries on the same planet as us where gay people are treated so appallingly that just being beaten up must seem like enlightenment.
And it's interesting that it's CHannel 4 that's broadcasting a series of programmes on this issue and not the mainstream big boys of BBC and ITV (although they might have plans to do so, so I shall withold an element of judgement).
I'm with Schnee tho', we have come a long way. Still a long distance to run, but so much has been achieved. Apparently it's even legal in Singers. This took me by surprise and I wondered how far this liberality extended. However, I wouldn't suggest you test it!
Who can forget what was done to Alan Turing by the Brits after his great service to his country? How to kill a gay genius was what it was all about..This computer pioneer cracked the code that the Nazis were using to sink ships and 'talk to each other.' Not alone of course, but with the ideas that made random selection talk in descipherable lingo..They fed Turing poison he couldn't refuse and his treatment was one step short of a lobotomy..His crime? Being gay and a genius. In effect, they murdered him.
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I've always said that GB is far more evolved than its European neighbours when it comes to views on homosexuality and racism [debatable]. It does, however, beg the question to what extent? Are we just more PC or is it the case that 'real' attitudes and opinions, amongst some individuals, will never be changed? After all, it’s only recently that I saw a documentary that exposed the racist, homophobic and sexist nature of the majority of police in a station in Leicestershire. Sleepy, do you remember?
P.S. made a spelling mistake in the last post!!!
Artemesia.. Alan Turing was an amazing man. Derek Jacobi played him brilliantly in a film I watched a few years ago.
Crisp-e.. I'm not so sure we ARE that 'enlightened' here and as you say has more to do with political correctness.
I do indeed remember the documentary about that police force and again, I don't thnk much has changed.
I have 3 cousins who are in the police and some of their stories would curl your hair.
(Well, maybe not yours!!)
lol, it curls at the root. Gives me an awful headache!
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