Living through Section 28
Speakers: Stephen Hart, actor, radio presenter and speaker with the Terrence Higgins Trust’s Positive Voices programme, with Caroline Gillwood, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Royal Voluntary Service
In this conversation, actor, radio presenter and Terrence Higgins Trust Positive Voices programme speaker, Stephen Hart, joins Royal Voluntary Service Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Caroline Gillwood, for a discussion about the experience of living through Section 28 in the late 1980s. Stephen also discusses his activism work with Positive Voices in which he and other volunteers share their personal experiences of living with HIV.
You can find more LGBT+ History Month sessions at LGBT+ History Month 2025 | Virtual Village Hall | Royal Voluntary Service
Find more information about LGBT+ History Month at https://lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk/
Preparation
Content Warning: viewers should be aware that Stephen’s story covers topics that may be difficult, including mention of sexual assault, terminal diagnoses, poor mental health and experiences of homophobia, shame and stigma. Links to support organisations will be provided, however viewers are encouraged to look after themselves and step away from the session if needed.
Video time
60 minutes
About Seciton 28
Section 28 was a controversial Conservative government amendment to the Local Authorities Act which prohibited local authorities, including councils and schools, from ‘intentionally promoting homosexuality’. It prompted widespread protests and demonstrations by LGBT+ activists and allies. Section 28 was repealed in England and Wales in 2003 and in Scotland in 2000.
About Stephen
“I'd grown up as a gay kid in the early 80's so thought I was educated about what HIV was, but after having my drink spiked in a club in 2006 and testing positive for HIV a few months later I realised that I had a lot of learning still to do.”
As an actor in the West End and Off Broadway, Stephen was warned by his first London agent that no-one living with HIV (or AIDS as she called it) would ever play a lead role whilst being open about this. This led to two years of shame, stigma and not being honest with the closest people in his life.
Eventually Stephen decided that he couldn’t allow these secrets to control his life any longer, and started writing his story, Shadowed Dreamer. This became a one man show that he took to New York and starred in for nine months. Getting to tell his story made him realise that people wanted to tell him their own stories. Keen to give others a space to do just that, he returned to London where he started the Hart Talks YouTube channel, became a presenter on the HIV Hour radio show and became a Positive Voices speaker with Terrence Higgins Trust.
“I can never forget how lonely and scared I was for those first two years of my diagnosis. As a performer, I realise that I have a voice and it has become a driving force. I hope that being open and honest with my story will help someone feel less like I did.”
See more from LGBT+ History Month
This February, we’re honouring LGBT+ History Month with this year’s theme: Activism and Social Change—a tribute to the incredible impact LGBT+ people have had in shaping a more inclusive world.
Join us for a series of thought-provoking sessions featuring: Stephen Hart – Actor, radio presenter, and speaker with the Terrence Higgins Trust Positive Voices programme. Caroline Gillwood – Head of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion at Royal Voluntary Service. Laïla El-Métoui – Award-winning equity and wellbeing educator, founder of LEM Education. Claire Bell – Deputy Membership and PR Manager at Listening Books.
Together, we’ll explore the power of activism, the stories behind social change, and the ongoing journey towards equality. Be part of this impactful celebration of change and inclusion!
