Is the UK’s Transphobia a Reflection of 1980s Homophobia?

There’s been a disturbing rise in transphobia in the UK over the last few years, leaving the transgender community feeling more alone and under threat than ever before. Terrifyingly, in the year ending March 2023, there were 4732 recorded hate crimes against transgender people. This is an 11% increase from the previous year, and doesn’t even factor in the unreported incidents. The Home Office linked this surge in violence to growing hostility from the media and politicians.

In 2023, the then-prime minister Rishi Sunak gave a speech at the Conservative Party Conference, where he appeared to suggest that transgender identities aren’t valid, stating, “A man is a man and a woman is a woman. That’s just common sense.” This seemed to mark a turning point in public perceptions of trans people and their rights, though unfortunately not in a positive direction. 

Similarly, in 2024, outrage was sparked when Imane Khelif won an Olympic gold medal in boxing. Rumours quickly spread that Khelif was a trans woman, which caused thousands of transphobic posts and memes to be shared online. As it goes, Khelif is cisgender, but the irreparable damage had been done; transgender people were questioned on their rights and validity in a situation that didn’t concern them at all. 

For the transgender community, it feels as though we’ve gone backwards as a society. What we’re witnessing in 2025 is eerily similar to the widespread homophobia that took place during the 1980s, when the HIV/AIDS epidemic was at its height. Fear-mongering, misinformation, and media hatred caused profound harm to LGBTQ+ communities, and thousands of people died. 

Today, transphobia has a very similar, dangerous parallel; one that we should all take notice of and care about. 

To understand the severity of what’s happening now, it’s important to look at the past. The 1980s are tainted by widespread, violent homophobia. The AIDS epidemic brought out the worst in people, who used the stigma of the virus to justify their hatred. It was misunderstood, referred to as a ‘gay plague’, and people believed it could be transmitted through casual contact. The media, politicians, and public figures used this fear and misinformation about how HIV could be spread to create a climate where it was acceptable to openly hate gay people. It was later found that millions of pounds that were supposed to be spent on dealing with AIDS had been spent on other programmes, and in the 1990s, even more funding cuts were made by the government. 

One of the most significant acts of oppression was Section 28 of the Legal Government Act 1998, where it became illegal to ‘promote’ homosexuality in schools. This law was aimed at denying young LGBTQ+ people the opportunity to see positive representations of themselves. This law, as well as the constant fear-mongering, made life hell for queer people. 

Over time, the queer community fought back. Advocacy groups and activists, visibility in media, and a shift in public opinion helped to change societal views and laws. In the 2000s, multiple changes happened, including lifting the ban on gay people serving in the army, Section 28 being repealed, and same-sex marriage being legalised. In the current day, it’s not acceptable to be openly homophobic. Cultural norms have shifted for gay people, but there is still a long way to go for the trans community. 

This is where we see the parallels between modern-day transphobia and homophobia during the AIDS crisis- today, a lot of the same tactics used to demonise queer people are being applied to transgender people. Politicians, like Sunak, and media outlets have latched onto fear-based narratives, twisting the truth about trans issues and pitting marginalised groups against each other. Just as the AIDS epidemic was portrayed as a threat to society, trans people are framed as a threat to family values, children, and women’s safety. 

When asked about why people might be so confused and scared regarding transgender people, Sydney, a trans woman, said: “I see stories on X, Youtube, TikTok etc of men who have made not an ounce of effort to even transition or present in the appropriate binary, going into women’s spaces to shave or be predatory and these outlets and politicians use this to fuel the anger and hate towards us, and it sickens me because these people they put in the media are not representations of the LGBTQ+ community. They don’t ever like to focus on regular individuals who live normal lives and try to normalise being a trans person in today’s society, only putting the bad apples in the media.”

The relationship between media, politics, and public opinion has a significant effect on how transgender people are viewed in society. Mainstream outlets especially play an undeniable role in shaping perceptions. There is relentless negative press surrounding trans people, particularly trans women. The media focuses on a small number of high-profile cases and individuals, portraying them as a threat to women’s rights and safety, which exacerbates fears surrounding all trans people. 

Social media influencers play another key role; Andrew Tate, for example, has gained a huge following on social media by pushing anti-trans rhetoric. This is especially dangerous because they perpetuate harmful stereotypes, like labeling them as ‘mentally unstable’. The algorithms on social media mean that when people begin seeing posts like these, their whole feed soon becomes full of transphobia, amplifying it and ensuring that content is spread far and wide. 

The influence of politicians is perhaps the most harmful; they are seen as more educated and professional than influencers. If the prime minister can say that trans people aren’t valid, why is it wrong for anyone else? Politicians like Conservative MP Miriam Cates have used transphobia as a rallying point during speeches and as a political tool. Cates was reported saying, “Graphic lessons on oral sex, how to choke your partner safely and 72 genders- this is what passes for relationships and sex education in British schools,”. Whilst this isn’t true, a lot of people won’t do further research, and will think their children are being manipulated and forced into being transgender. Instead of hating misconceptions, they wrongly label all trans people as a threat. This shift in attitudes doesn’t just impact daily life and safety, but also legal protections, healthcare access, and public policy, particularly in areas such as education and healthcare. 

Leila Quinn, an LGBTQ+ member and activist, said: “Changes in the political space, specifically the use of transgender identities as a scapegoat for economic issues and a distraction from government failures, have made people feel increasingly justified in open transphobia.” 

When we look at the history of homophobia, we see a community that faced devastation, but also managed to overcome it. The fight for gay rights didn’t just change laws, but societal norms and people's minds. LGBTQ+ activists and allies made sure their voices were heard and challenged stereotypes and misinformation that had been spouted for decades. Every year, millions of people across the world celebrate gay rights with events like Pride, which, according to Leila, “offers a safe space for people to express their identity and to learn more about other's identities. Internet spaces can feel polarising but in-person spaces allow for more open communication and acceptance.”. People fought back to gain safe spaces, rights, and freedom. 

What can the transgender community learn from the fight for gay rights in the late 1900s? A big one is that visibility matters: though it might feel extremely scary, the more trans people that are visible in media, politics, and everyday life, the harder it becomes for hate to succeed. But it’s also important to remember that the shift from widespread homophobia to acceptance didn’t happen overnight. It’s a long, difficult road, but one that is incredibly worth it.

If we want to create a more inclusive society, we all have a role to play. Educate yourself, speak up against transphobes, and most importantly, listen to the voices of trans people who bravely live their truth everyday. A positive world for the queer community starts with each of us making the decision to stand up for what’s right.