Homosexual Law Reform Society - Revision history

Wessexman at 22:12, 1 February 2022

2022-02-01T22:12:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:12, 1 February 2022
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	The pamphlet ''[[Homosexuals and the Law]]'' was sent to MPs in preparation for their first debate on the Wolfenden Report. The first parliamentary debate was initiated on 4 December 1957 by Frank Pakenham (Baron Pakenham, later known as [[Lord Longford]]). However, it had become clear that the government had shelved the report and was not planning to implement any reform. The Lord Chancellor, [[Viscount Kilmuir]], had said "I am not going down in history as the man who made sodomy legal."		The pamphlet ''[[Homosexuals and the Law]]'' was sent to MPs in preparation for their first debate on the Wolfenden Report. The first parliamentary debate was initiated on 4 December 1957 by Frank Pakenham (Baron Pakenham, later known as [[Lord Longford]]). However, it had become clear that the government had shelved the report and was not planning to implement any reform. The Lord Chancellor, [[Viscount Kilmuir]], had said "I am not going down in history as the man who made sodomy legal."

	On 12 May 1960 over 1000 people attended the first HLRS public meeting in Caxton Hall in central London.		On 12 May 1960 over 1000 people attended the first HLRS public meeting in [[Caxton Hall]] in central London.

	In 1962 [[Antony Grey]] became acting secretary of the HLRS. In the spring of 1963 this became a full appointment. Some people questioned the appropriateness of this appointment since Grey was a gay man who was living with another man; there was concern that he might be subject to the same type of police attention that the organisation was campaigning against.		In 1962 [[Antony Grey]] became acting secretary of the HLRS. In the spring of 1963 this became a full appointment. Some people questioned the appropriateness of this appointment since Grey was a gay man who was living with another man; there was concern that he might be subject to the same type of police attention that the organisation was campaigning against.

Ross Burgess at 12:34, 8 February 2016

2016-02-08T12:34:28Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:34, 8 February 2016
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	The '''Homosexual Law Reform Society''' was an organisation set up in 1958 (following the publication of the Wolfenden Report the previous year), to campaign for the decriminalisation of gay male sex.		The '''Homosexual Law Reform Society''' ('''HLRS''') was an organisation set up in 1958 (following the publication of the Wolfenden Report the previous year), to campaign for the decriminalisation of gay male sex.

	In 1954 the Conservative government set up a Departmental Committee to look into aspects of British sex laws. The resulting report, the [[Wolfenden Report]], was published on 3 September 1957.		In 1954 the Conservative government set up a Departmental Committee to look into aspects of British sex laws. The resulting report, the [[Wolfenden Report]], was published on 3 September 1957.
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	In March 1970 the HLRS became the [[Sexual Law Reform Society]] (SLRS) in order to campaign for further legal changes, particularly relating to the age of consent. In 1974 it produced a report for the Criminal Law Revision Committee on lowering the age of consent.		In March 1970 the HLRS became the [[Sexual Law Reform Society]] (SLRS) in order to campaign for further legal changes, particularly relating to the age of consent. In 1974 it produced a report for the Criminal Law Revision Committee on lowering the age of consent.

	Professor A J Ayer was President of the HLRS for a time; he remarked that 'as a notorious heterosexual I could never be accused of feathering my own nest'.		Professor [[A J Ayer]] was President of the HLRS for a time; he remarked that 'as a notorious heterosexual I could never be accused of feathering my own nest'.

	[[Category:Campaigning groups]]		[[Category:Campaigning groups]]
	[[Category:Articles with no pictures]]		[[Category:Articles with no pictures]]

Ross Burgess at 06:24, 28 December 2015

2015-12-28T06:24:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:24, 28 December 2015
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	In 1954 the Conservative government set up a Departmental Committee to look into aspects of British sex laws. The resulting report, the [[Wolfenden Report]], was published on 3 September 1957.		In 1954 the Conservative government set up a Departmental Committee to look into aspects of British sex laws. The resulting report, the [[Wolfenden Report]], was published on 3 September 1957.

	Following publication of the report, there were a number of letters to the press urging reform, starting with one from Dr [[R D Reid]]. In particular, [[A E Dyson]] (Tony Dyson) wrote a letter to <cite>The Times</cite> calling for reform of the law by the implementation of the Wolfenden Committee's recommendations. Dyson's letter was signed by many distinguished people including Clement Attlee, A J Ayer, Isaiah Berlin, [[Trevor Huddleston]], Julian Huxley, J B Priestley, Bertrand Russell, Donald Soper, Angus Wilson and Barbara Wootton.		Following publication of the report, there were a number of letters to the press urging reform, starting with one from Dr [[R D Reid]]. In particular, [[A E Dyson]] (Tony Dyson) wrote a letter to <cite>The Times</cite> calling for reform of the law by the implementation of the Wolfenden Committee's recommendations. Dyson's letter was signed by many distinguished people including Clement Attlee, [[A J Ayer]], Isaiah Berlin, [[Trevor Huddleston]], Julian Huxley, J B Priestley, Bertrand Russell, Donald Soper, Angus Wilson and Barbara Wootton.

	The correspondence that this letter generated helped bring together supporters of the Wolfenden Report and this led to the Homosexual Law Reform Society being founded on 12 May 1958. Most of the founders were not themselves gay. They included distinguished figures such as Victor Gollancz, [[Stephen Spender]], and MP Kenneth Younger.		The correspondence that this letter generated helped bring together supporters of the Wolfenden Report and this led to the Homosexual Law Reform Society being founded on 12 May 1958. Most of the founders were not themselves gay. They included distinguished figures such as Victor Gollancz, [[Stephen Spender]], and MP Kenneth Younger.

Ross Burgess at 14:09, 11 January 2014

2014-01-11T14:09:09Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:09, 11 January 2014
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	[[Category:Campaigning groups]]		[[Category:Campaigning groups]]
			[[Category:Articles with no pictures]]

Ross Burgess at 13:50, 19 September 2012

2012-09-19T13:50:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:50, 19 September 2012
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	Following publication of the report, there were a number of letters to the press urging reform, starting with one from Dr [[R D Reid]]. In particular, [[A E Dyson]] (Tony Dyson) wrote a letter to <cite>The Times</cite> calling for reform of the law by the implementation of the Wolfenden Committee's recommendations. Dyson's letter was signed by many distinguished people including Clement Attlee, A J Ayer, Isaiah Berlin, [[Trevor Huddleston]], Julian Huxley, J B Priestley, Bertrand Russell, Donald Soper, Angus Wilson and Barbara Wootton.		Following publication of the report, there were a number of letters to the press urging reform, starting with one from Dr [[R D Reid]]. In particular, [[A E Dyson]] (Tony Dyson) wrote a letter to <cite>The Times</cite> calling for reform of the law by the implementation of the Wolfenden Committee's recommendations. Dyson's letter was signed by many distinguished people including Clement Attlee, A J Ayer, Isaiah Berlin, [[Trevor Huddleston]], Julian Huxley, J B Priestley, Bertrand Russell, Donald Soper, Angus Wilson and Barbara Wootton.

	The correspondence that this letter generated helped bring together supporters of the Wolfenden Report and this led to the Homosexual Law Reform Society being founded on 12 May 1958. Most of the founders were not themselves gay. They included distinguished figures such as Victor Gollancz, Stephen Spender, and MP Kenneth Younger.		The correspondence that this letter generated helped bring together supporters of the Wolfenden Report and this led to the Homosexual Law Reform Society being founded on 12 May 1958. Most of the founders were not themselves gay. They included distinguished figures such as Victor Gollancz, [[Stephen Spender]], and MP Kenneth Younger.

	Advertisements inviting people who supported the Wolfenden Report to contact the Homosexual Law Reform Society resulted in Tony Dyson being joined by [[Antony Grey]], businessman Nigel Bryant and architect Duncan Wright.		Advertisements inviting people who supported the Wolfenden Report to contact the Homosexual Law Reform Society resulted in Tony Dyson being joined by [[Antony Grey]], businessman Nigel Bryant and architect Duncan Wright.

Ross Burgess at 13:42, 19 September 2012

2012-09-19T13:42:25Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:42, 19 September 2012
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	In 1954 the Conservative government set up a Departmental Committee to look into aspects of British sex laws. The resulting report, the [[Wolfenden Report]], was published on 3 September 1957.		In 1954 the Conservative government set up a Departmental Committee to look into aspects of British sex laws. The resulting report, the [[Wolfenden Report]], was published on 3 September 1957.

	~~The HLRS was formed following an initiative by~~ [[A E Dyson]] (Tony Dyson) ~~who~~ wrote a letter to <cite>The Times</cite> calling for reform of the law by the implementation of the Wolfenden Committee's recommendations ~~and~~ was signed by many distinguished people including Clement Attlee, A J Ayer, Isaiah Berlin, [[Trevor Huddleston]], Julian Huxley, J B Priestley, Bertrand Russell, Donald Soper, Angus Wilson and Barbara Wootton.		Following publication of the report, there were a number of letters to the press urging reform, starting with one from Dr [[R D Reid]]. In particular, [[A E Dyson]] (Tony Dyson) wrote a letter to <cite>The Times</cite> calling for reform of the law by the implementation of the Wolfenden Committee's recommendations. Dyson's letter was signed by many distinguished people including Clement Attlee, A J Ayer, Isaiah Berlin, [[Trevor Huddleston]], Julian Huxley, J B Priestley, Bertrand Russell, Donald Soper, Angus Wilson and Barbara Wootton.

	The correspondence that this letter generated helped bring together supporters of the Wolfenden Report and this led to the Homosexual Law Reform Society being founded on 12 May 1958. Most of the founders were not themselves gay. They included distinguished figures such as Victor Gollancz, Stephen Spender, and MP Kenneth Younger.		The correspondence that this letter generated helped bring together supporters of the Wolfenden Report and this led to the Homosexual Law Reform Society being founded on 12 May 1958. Most of the founders were not themselves gay. They included distinguished figures such as Victor Gollancz, Stephen Spender, and MP Kenneth Younger.

	Advertisements inviting people who supported the Wolfenden Report to contact the Homosexual Law Reform Society resulted in Tony Dyson being joined by Antony Grey, businessman Nigel Bryant and architect Duncan Wright.		Advertisements inviting people who supported the Wolfenden Report to contact the Homosexual Law Reform Society resulted in Tony Dyson being joined by [[Antony Grey]], businessman Nigel Bryant and architect Duncan Wright.

	In May 1958 the related charity the [[Albany Trust]] was set up.		In May 1958 the related charity the [[Albany Trust]] was set up. In October 1958 the Albany Trust opened an office and the HLRS was able to use these facilities for its campaigning work.

	~~In October 1958 the Albany Trust opened an office and the HLRS was able to use these facilities for its campaigning work.~~		The pamphlet ''[[Homosexuals and the Law]]'' was sent to MPs in preparation for their first debate on the Wolfenden Report. The first parliamentary debate was initiated on 4 December 1957 by Frank Pakenham (Baron Pakenham, later known as [[Lord Longford]]). However, it had become clear that the government had shelved the report and was not planning to implement any reform. The Lord Chancellor, [[Viscount Kilmuir]], had said "I am not going down in history as the man who made sodomy legal."

	The pamphlet [[Homosexuals and the Law]] was sent to MPs in preparation for their first debate on the Wolfenden Report. The first parliamentary debate was initiated on 4 December 1957 by Frank Pakenham (Baron Pakenham, later known as Lord Longford). However, it had become clear that the government had shelved the report and was not planning to implement any reform. The Lord Chancellor, Viscount Kilmuir, had said "I am not going down in history as the man who made sodomy legal."

	On 12 May 1960 over 1000 people attended the first HLRS public meeting in Caxton Hall in central London.		On 12 May 1960 over 1000 people attended the first HLRS public meeting in Caxton Hall in central London.

Ross Burgess at 16:25, 15 May 2012

2012-05-15T16:25:14Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:25, 15 May 2012
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	Professor A J Ayer was President of the HLRS for a time; he remarked that 'as a notorious heterosexual I could never be accused of feathering my own nest'.		Professor A J Ayer was President of the HLRS for a time; he remarked that 'as a notorious heterosexual I could never be accused of feathering my own nest'.

			[[Category:Campaigning groups]]

Ross Burgess: moved The Homosexual Law Reform Society to Homosexual Law Reform Society

2012-02-15T10:32:30Z

moved The Homosexual Law Reform Society to Homosexual Law Reform Society

← Older revision	Revision as of 10:32, 15 February 2012
(No difference)

Ross Burgess: Completing the merge of the two articles

2012-02-15T10:30:44Z

Completing the merge of the two articles

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:30, 15 February 2012
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	The '''Homosexual Law Reform Society''' was an organisation set up in 1958 (following the publication of the Wolfenden Report the previous year), to campaign for the decriminalisation of gay male sex.		The '''Homosexual Law Reform Society''' was an organisation set up in 1958 (following the publication of the Wolfenden Report the previous year), to campaign for the decriminalisation of gay male sex.

	The HLRS was formed following an initiative by A E Dyson. Most of the original supporter were not themselves gay. They included distinguished figures such as Victor Gollancz, Stephen Spender, and MP Kenneth Younger.

	~~The HLRS used the office facilities of the Albany Trust which was set up about the same time. The HLRS organised a public meeting at Caxton Hall in May 1960, attended by over 1,000 people.~~

	~~In 1962Antony Grey became Secretary of the HLRS. The Society was very active in the years leading up to the Sexual Offences Act 1967 which partially decriminalised sex between men.~~

	~~In March 1970 the HLRS became the Sexual Law Reform Society.~~
	In 1954 the Conservative government set up a Departmental Committee to look into aspects of British sex laws. The resulting report, the [[Wolfenden Report]], was published on 3 September 1957.		In 1954 the Conservative government set up a Departmental Committee to look into aspects of British sex laws. The resulting report, the [[Wolfenden Report]], was published on 3 September 1957.

	~~On 5 March 1958, the academic~~ A.E. (Tony) ~~Dyson~~ wrote a letter to The Times calling for reform of the law by the implementation of the Wolfenden Committee's recommendations and was signed by many distinguished people including Clement Attlee, A. J. Ayer, Isaiah Berlin, Trevor Huddleston, Julian Huxley, J. B. Priestley, Bertrand Russell, Donald Soper, Angus Wilson and Barbara Wootton.		The HLRS was formed following an initiative by [[A E Dyson]] (Tony Dyson) who wrote a letter to <cite>The Times</cite> calling for reform of the law by the implementation of the Wolfenden Committee's recommendations and was signed by many distinguished people including Clement Attlee, A J Ayer, Isaiah Berlin, [[Trevor Huddleston]], Julian Huxley, J B Priestley, Bertrand Russell, Donald Soper, Angus Wilson and Barbara Wootton.

	The correspondence that this letter generated helped bring together supporters of the Wolfenden Report and this led to the Homosexual Law Reform Society being founded on 12 May 1958 ~~with members including~~ Victor Gollancz, Stephen Spender, and MP Kenneth Younger~~. Most of the founders were not homosexual~~.		The correspondence that this letter generated helped bring together supporters of the Wolfenden Report and this led to the Homosexual Law Reform Society being founded on 12 May 1958. Most of the founders were not themselves gay. They included distinguished figures such as Victor Gollancz, Stephen Spender, and MP Kenneth Younger.

	Advertisements inviting people who supported the Wolfenden Report to contact the Homosexual Law Reform Society resulted in Tony Dyson being joined by Antony Grey, businessman Nigel Bryant and architect Duncan Wright.		Advertisements inviting people who supported the Wolfenden Report to contact the Homosexual Law Reform Society resulted in Tony Dyson being joined by Antony Grey, businessman Nigel Bryant and architect Duncan Wright.
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	The HLRS was most active during the campaign which led to the passing of the [[Sexual Offences Act 1967]]. For example, they provided advice and support to the Dorian Society of New Zealand. However, many (in particular the [[Campaign for Homosexual Equality]] and the [[Gay Liberation Front]]) considered that the new law did not go far enough and blamed the HLRS for what they saw as a weakening of the Wolfenden Committee's proposals, calling the HLRS/Albany Trust a conformist outfit of "Uncle Toms".		The HLRS was most active during the campaign which led to the passing of the [[Sexual Offences Act 1967]]. For example, they provided advice and support to the Dorian Society of New Zealand. However, many (in particular the [[Campaign for Homosexual Equality]] and the [[Gay Liberation Front]]) considered that the new law did not go far enough and blamed the HLRS for what they saw as a weakening of the Wolfenden Committee's proposals, calling the HLRS/Albany Trust a conformist outfit of "Uncle Toms".

	In March 1970 the HLRS became the Sexual Law Reform Society (SLRS) in order to campaign for further legal changes, particularly relating to the age of consent. In 1974 it produced a report for the Criminal Law Revision Committee on lowering the age of consent.		In March 1970 the HLRS became the [[Sexual Law Reform Society]] (SLRS) in order to campaign for further legal changes, particularly relating to the age of consent. In 1974 it produced a report for the Criminal Law Revision Committee on lowering the age of consent.

	Professor A J Ayer was President of the HLRS for a time; he remarked that 'as a notorious heterosexual I could never be accused of feathering my own nest'.		Professor A J Ayer was President of the HLRS for a time; he remarked that 'as a notorious heterosexual I could never be accused of feathering my own nest'.

Ross Burgess: Merging two articles

2012-02-15T10:24:28Z

Merging two articles

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:24, 15 February 2012
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	The '''Homosexual Law Reform Society''' was an organisation ~~that campaigned~~ in the ~~United Kingdom~~ for ~~changes in~~ the ~~laws that criminalised homosexual relations between men~~.		The '''Homosexual Law Reform Society''' was an organisation set up in 1958 (following the publication of the Wolfenden Report the previous year), to campaign for the decriminalisation of gay male sex.

			The HLRS was formed following an initiative by A E Dyson. Most of the original supporter were not themselves gay. They included distinguished figures such as Victor Gollancz, Stephen Spender, and MP Kenneth Younger.

			The HLRS used the office facilities of the Albany Trust which was set up about the same time. The HLRS organised a public meeting at Caxton Hall in May 1960, attended by over 1,000 people.

			In 1962Antony Grey became Secretary of the HLRS. The Society was very active in the years leading up to the Sexual Offences Act 1967 which partially decriminalised sex between men.

			In March 1970 the HLRS became the Sexual Law Reform Society.
	In 1954 the Conservative government set up a Departmental Committee to look into aspects of British sex laws. The resulting report, the [[Wolfenden Report]], was published on 3 September 1957.		In 1954 the Conservative government set up a Departmental Committee to look into aspects of British sex laws. The resulting report, the [[Wolfenden Report]], was published on 3 September 1957.

Line 23:		Line 30:
	In March 1970 the HLRS became the Sexual Law Reform Society (SLRS) in order to campaign for further legal changes, particularly relating to the age of consent. In 1974 it produced a report for the Criminal Law Revision Committee on lowering the age of consent.		In March 1970 the HLRS became the Sexual Law Reform Society (SLRS) in order to campaign for further legal changes, particularly relating to the age of consent. In 1974 it produced a report for the Criminal Law Revision Committee on lowering the age of consent.

	Professor A. J. Ayer was President of the HLRS for a time; he remarked that 'as a notorious heterosexual I could never be accused of feathering my own nest'.		Professor A J Ayer was President of the HLRS for a time; he remarked that 'as a notorious heterosexual I could never be accused of feathering my own nest'.