Celebrating LGBTQ+ History
February is LGBTQ+ History Month – the perfect time to celebrate queer history! Earlier this year, cardfactory created an exclusive online range of cards designed to do just that.
Each card commemorates one moment of UK history in the journey of LGBTQ+ rights – and tells the story behind the card on its reverse. So as we celebrate Pride month, we thought we'd showcase this fabulous range and share these stories with you!
All cards were written and designed by members of our talented Studio team who are also members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Being queer is a riot
The Stonewall Riots, New York 1969
The LGBTQ+ patrons of the Stonewall Inn were used to raids... but when police officers became violent on June 28 1969, they decided to fight back – resulting in riots that sparked the beginning of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.
We must remember who we lost
The creation of the Terence Higgins Trust, 1983
Terence Higgins died in 1982 – one of the earliest UK deaths from an AIDs-related illness. The Trust was formed by Terry's friends and partner to humanise people living with the condition – and remains the UK's leading HIV and sexual health charity.
A true family is built on love
The legalisation of same-sex adoption, 2002–2017
Despite much opposition, it was made legal for same-sex couples to adopt a child in 2002 (England, Wales and Northern Ireland), 2009 (Scotland) and 2017 (Republic of Ireland). A lifelong dream for many, this change represented a milestone in the fight for equality.
Always be proud to fly your own flag
The creation of the trans flag, 1999
After serving in the US Navy, Monica Helms came out as a trans woman and began campaigning for trans rights and visibility. Her design incorporates pink and blue stripes – traditional colours for boys and girls – and a white stripe, for those people in transition.
Love is love
The legalisation of same-sex marriage, 2014–2020
From 2005, civil partnerships offered legal recognition of same-sex relationships – but many gay people still wanted to marry. Same-sex marriages were made legal in 2014 (England, Wales and Scotland), 2015 (Republic of Ireland) and 2020 (Northern Ireland).
You can't learn to be gay... we're born this way
The repeal of Section 28, 2003
Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988 banned the 'promotion' of homosexuality – effectively preventing any school or local authority scheme from offering much-needed support to LGBTQ+ people in the UK. Fiercely protested for many years, Section 28 was finally repealed in 2003.
No one can stop you being who you are
The first known case of gender re-assignment surgery, 1951
Having been a fighter pilot during the Second World War, in 1951 Robert Cowell made the choice to do something even more courageous. Roberta – or Betty – Cowell became the first trans woman in the UK to undergo gender re-assignment surgery.
Be proud – you're the only YOU there is
First UK Pride March, London 1972
Only three years after the Stonewall Riots came a pivotal moment in UK LBGTQ+ history – the country's first ever Pride march in London. Two-thousand people marched for equal rights – which contrasts sharply against the 35,000 who marched in London Pride 2023!