We’ve come a long way since Henry VIII made homosexuality punishable by death.

But only 50 years ago homosexual acts were a crime.

Our Parliament decriminalised homosexuality in 1967– but only in England and Wales. Jeffrey Dudgeon’s 1982 human rights case led to decriminalisation in Northern Ireland.

Jeanette Smith and Graeme Grady sued the UK for banning homosexuals from the army.

They changed the law for everyone.

Thanks to a case brought by Euan Sutherland, the age of consent for gay men was equalised in 2001, human rights have been integral in fighting homophobic law.

In 2004, same-sex couples were allowed to enter into civil partnerships.

But it was another 10 years before same-sex couples were allowed to get married.

In 2017, Parliament passed ‘Turing’s Law’ which pardoned thousands of gay men convicted of criminal offences under old legislation.

It has been a long road to ensure people aren’t discriminated against because of their sexuality.

We need to keep fighting for a fair and equal society.

There are many more sexual freedoms to be won and protected.