1102

The Council of London took measures to ensure that the public, quite tolerant of homosexuality at the time, knew that it was sinful. This marked a significant shift in church's previously indifferent attitude towards homosexuality.

1327

King Edward II of England, a well known homosexual, is sodomized to death with a red-hot poker. His lover's genitals are cut off before he was beheaded.

1533

Buggery becomes a Capital Crime in England and Wales.

1710

An anonymous author warned that masturbation, or onanism as it was then called, threatened men's moral and physical health. 

1726

London's constables shut down about twenty Molly Houses in a series of raids.  These taverns were frequented by working class sodomites.

1772

Captain Robert James is executed for sodomy, although the more usual penalty at this time is the pillory.

1806

This year sees more executions for sodomy than for murder.

1828

Parliament updated its laws to make buggery easier to prove.  Previously, to secure a buggery conviction, they had to prove that both anal penetration and ejaculation had taken place.  The new 'Offenses Against the Person Act' said that penetration was sufficient proof.

1836

This year sees the last known execution for homosexuality in Britain.

1857

In the paper 'The Functions and Disorders of the Reproductive Organs' the respected English physician, William Acton, described the diagnosis and treatment of male sexual diseases. Acton warned that the loss of semen is dangerous to health, whether from wet dreams, masturbation, or spermatorrhea (an entirely imaginary disease in which men lose their sperm involuntarily).

1861

England liberalises its laws and reduces the sentence for buggery from death to imprisonment from 10 years to life. 

1869

German writer Karl Maria Kertbeny coined the term "homosexual" as part of a broader system for the classification of sexual types. The term will cross the English Channel in a few years.

1885

Gross Indecency, defined as any sexual touching between men, is made illegal for the first time in English history.

1886

The Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1885, which outlaws sexual relations between men (but not women) is given Royal Assent by Queen Victoria.

1891

The term "homosexual" is introduced into the English language by J. A. Symonds in his book 'A Problem in Modern Ethics'.

1895

Oscar Wilde is convicted of Gross Indecency and is sentenced to the maximum two years imprisonment with hard labour.

1901

Oscar Wilde dies in a Paris hotel with Alfred 'Bosie' Douglas by his side.

1958

The Homosexual Law Reform Society is founded in the United Kingdom.

1967

The Sexual Offences Act 1967 decriminalises male homosexual behaviour in England and Wales, so long as only two men are involved, both are aged 21 or older, neither is mentally retarded, neither is a member of the armed forces or the merchant marine, and neither is a resident of a jurisdiction where male homosexual behaviour is illegal (e.g., Scotland or Northern Ireland).

1980

Homosexuality is finally decriminalised in Scotland.

1982

Homosexuality is finally decriminalised in Northern Ireland.

1984

Chris Smith becomes the first openly out gay member of parliament. He declared : "My name is Chris Smith. I'm the Labour MP for Islington South and Finsbury, and I'm gay."

1988

Section 28 passes into law in England and Wales; Scotland brings in almost identical legislation under Clause 2A. Section 28 stated that a local authority "shall not intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with the intention of promoting homosexuality" or "promote the teaching in any maintained school of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship".

1990

OutRage! forms in UK

1992

The World Health Organization removes homosexuality from its International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems

1994

The homosexual age of consent in the UK is lowered from 21 to 18.

1997

The UK extends immigration rights to same-sex couples akin to marriage.

1999

The UK government lifts the ban on gays and lesbians serving in the armed forces

2000

Clause 2A is repealed in Scotland. The age of consent is equalised to 16 in England, Scotland and Wales, and to 17 in Northern Ireland.

2003

Section 28 is repealed in England and Wales.

2005

Civil Partnerships between same sex couples are introduced in the UK.