Write a
letter to
Section 28

From 1988 to 2003, the law Section 28 banned the promotion of homosexuality by local authorities impacting local services and funding, cultural commissioning, and the students and teachers in schools.

Dear Section 28 invites you to write a letter to the law. Whether you lived through it, or are looking back on it, write with your thoughts, feelings, memories, and the impact it had on you — or what you would say to Section 28 now.

If you prefer to write a personal testimony of impact on you, rather than a letter, you can submit this through writing an impact statement.

All letters will be submitted to an online archive. On submission, you can choose to post your letter anonymously if you wish.

Dear Section 28,

Who can write a letter?

Anyone who has a connection to Section 28 is welcome to write — whether you lived through it as a student, teacher, parent, librarian, or youth worker, or whether you are learning about it now and want to respond to its legacy.

You do not need to have been directly affected. Letters from people who grew up after Section 28 was repealed, or who are reflecting on it from a distance, are just as welcome as those from people who were there. There is no wrong way to write this letter.

What can I write about?

Your own experience

  • Factually, tell us what you did during Section 28
  • What you felt but couldn't say
  • A crush, a friendship, or a relationship you had to hide
  • The moment you first understood the law existed
  • What school felt like — the silences, the comments, the fear
  • It can be funny! Are there memories you squirm at now, like a secret diary entry
  • Tales of campaign and protest
  • What you wish had been different

Someone you knew

  • A teacher who helped you — or who couldn't
  • A parent who didn't understand, or one who tried to
  • A student you taught and still think about
  • Someone you lost touch with and wonder about now
  • A person who showed unexpected kindness
  • Someone who helped you at this time

Anything at all

  • Your learnings, years on
  • Anger. Grief. Forgiveness. Pride. Relief.
  • What you want young people today to know
  • What has and hasn't changed since 2003
  • Something you have never said out loud before
  • A letter to your younger self
  • Whatever you need to say

Please don't include in your letter

Please do not include the names or identifying details of living individuals without their consent if their story/information is not already public, particularly if your letter discusses experiences of harm, abuse, or distress. And please do not out anyone.

This archive is a space for your story — not a platform to name others, unless you have explicit consent.

Please also avoid including content that could constitute defamation, or that discloses sensitive personal information about third parties. If you're unsure, you can always submit anonymously or contact us before submitting.

We cannot take responsibility for the contents of your letter. We will not publish anything that could cause offence or harm.

Writing prompts

Not sure where to start?

There is no right way to write a letter to a law. These prompts are here to help — click the card to see another, or let it spark something of your own.

Write about a crush you had during Section 28