Backstage at the Piccadilly theatre was the place to be on 5 June 1988. In the midst of rampant homophobia in the papers, on the streets and in parliament, that night saw artful protest packed into a raucous, highly political and extraordinarily gay evening of entertainment.
Organised by lesbian theatre group 20th Century Vixen, Before the Act was a benefit gala made in protest against Section 28, the legislation that had passed the previous month prohibiting local councils from distributing any material seen to “promote homosexuality”. Featuring scenes and songs from queer creators, the event was designed to show lawmakers what they’d be missing. At the end of the night, the cast and crew of more than 300 – including Ian McKellen, Judi Dench and Simon Rattle – squashed on to the stage and threw pink roses at the crowd.
