Marking the repeal of Section 28 with activist Matthew Hodson
6pm, Wednesday 18th November 2026
To mark the anniversary of the repeal of Section 28, 12KBW is delighted to host activist Matthew Hodson for a 20-minute talk followed by drinks and canapés.
Chaired by Alex Carington, Equality & Diversity Officer at 12KBW, this special event will take place at the historic Courthouse Hotel, formerly Great Marlborough Street Magistrates’ Court. The courthouse heard many famous cases, including the Queensberry Libel trial, which ultimately led to Oscar Wilde’s imprisonment. You will see the former No.1 Court and the old court cells during the event.
Drawing on his personal recollections, historical archives and images from his own collection, Matthew will reflect on the social and political climate that gave rise to Section 28, the campaign against it, and its impact on LGBTQ+ people during the fifteen years it remained on the statute books. Matthew will consider why the history of Section 28 continues to resonate today.
Join us for this fun and informative evening, whether you are part of the LGBTQ+ community or not.
Book your place via the RSVP link below.
About Matthew Hodson
Matthew Hodson has been described as one of the most influential gay activists in Britain. His activism began in the 1980s, when he protested against Section 28 and became involved with Outrage, the gay rights direct action group. Throughout the 1990s, he worked in gay publishing and appeared on stage and screen in queer film and theatre. In 1999, he conceived and co-curated Pride and Prejudice at the Museum of London, the first exhibition about LGBTQ lives to be mounted at a major UK museum.
Following his HIV diagnosis in 1998, Matthew joined the London charity Gay Men Fighting AIDS, where he later became Chief Executive. He went on to lead aidsmap, a community-based charity that supports people living with HIV around the world by providing accurate, up-to-date information about HIV and AIDS. He was the first person living openly with HIV to co-chair an international HIV medical conference, the European AIDS Conference 2021.
Matthew’s award-winning advocacy challenges outdated ideas about what it means to live with HIV while offering a visible example of living openly and without shame.
The Venue
Our event is at the Courthouse Hotel, formerly Great Marlborough Street Magistrates’ Court, a building with a remarkable legal and cultural history.
The courthouse heard many famous cases, including the Marquess of Queensberry’s libel trial, which led to Oscar Wilde’s arrest for gross indecency and his subsequent imprisonment. Other notable defendants who appeared before the court over the years include John Lennon, Johnny Rotten, Mick Jagger and Christine Keeler.
