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How Gay Sex Changed the World
Charting the incredible journey of gay men over the last four decades, from the moment of legality all the way to wider social acceptance and a greater sexual entitlement than ever known before. As gay men have grown more confident, this sexual revolution has been at the forefront of a wider movement towards sexual freedom and expression, trailblazing through stuffy British conformity and pushing the boundaries of what adults feel free to do.
The journey has been signposted by numerous cross-cultural moments: the first Gay Pride march, the opening of Heaven nightclub, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Queer as Folk, the emergence of the Gay Village, to name but a few, and the landmark introduction of civil partnerships into law.
Gay celebrities including David Furnish, Simon Callow, Jimmy Somerville and Lord Chris Smith recount their own highly personal accounts of the changing face of gay life over the past four decades and the effect this has on the whole of our society.
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If you have been affected by any of the issues in this programme, or would like more information or support, please go to the find out more page on this website.You can also debate the issues raised in this season of programmes in our special 40 Years Out forum.
