A Bill Called William

A documentary film screening, courtesy of Channel 4, first screened in 1997 to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1967 Sexual Offences Act, nicknamed `William', which legalised sex between males aged 21 and over. As a dramatized documentary A Bill Called William has all the elements of a Whitehall farce; a larger than life cast of genuine eccentrics and double-dealing politicians. The programme includes interviews with Leo Abse, who sponsored the bill through Parliament, Lord Roy Jenkins, and Baroness Barbara Castle, and dramatizations of the contemporary debates held in the Houses of Commons and Lords. Gay men also recall the social ostracism, blackmail threats and physical attacks of the era.

A Bill Called William is a Mentorn Media Ltd Production for Channel 4 Television.

Hosted by the LSE Library (@LSELibrary) in conjunction with their exhibition "Glad to be Gay: the struggle for legal equality" on display in the LSE Library Gallery from 9 January – 7 April 2017.

Suggested Twitter hashtag for this event: #LSELitFest

This event forms part of the , taking place from Monday 20 - Saturday 25 February 2017, with the theme "Revolutions".

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LSE holds a wide range of events, covering many of the most controversial issues of the day, and speakers at our events may express views that cause offence. The views expressed by speakers at LSE events do not reflect the position or views of the London School of Economics and Political Science.