Clockwise from left: 'Up to you Porky the Victoria Wood sketch book, 1985 [Library shelfmark: HP2.86.4009], 'Working out the total shape-up guide for men', 1987 [Library shelfmark: S8.84.81], 'Jenny lives with Eric and Martin', 1983 [Library shelfmark: WP3.84.135].
Section 28 was a clause contained in the Local Government Act 1988 which banned the 'promotion of homosexuality' by local authorities. it was met by a number of protests and demonstrations, including a march in Manchester in which tens of thousands took part.
A trigger for Section 28 was a picture book: 'Jenny lives with Eric and Martin', first published in Danish and later in English.
This book is contained in the Library collections, and, along with 'Working out' and 'Up to you Porky' inspired an essay 'Working out under Section 28'.
To read more about 1980s society, see also:
Further 1980s essays and videos are available in our 1980s retrospective 'Back to the future: 1979-1989' website.