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Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Astonishing act of bravery that sparked a revolution for gay people
Homosexuality was once considered to be both a crime and a mental illness, and gays and lesbians were vilified, attacked and pitied - but then something groundbreaking happened It's the kind of article which, if it were printed in a newspaper today, would raise eyebrows precisely because there is nothing the slightest bit shocking about it. A group of four gay men, sitting in a room, talking about their lives - especially as June is when we now celebrate Pride month. But the story that appeared in the Sunday Pictorial - the paper that would become the Sunday Mirror - 65 years ago this month, was both brave and revolutionary. And it would help change the course of history. Back then, homosexuality was considered to be both a crime and a mental illness, and gays and lesbians were vilified, attacked and pitied. The only time they were even mentioned in the media was in reports of 'gross indecency' trials - sometimes for just holding a man's hand in public. It was unthinkable, then, that a national newspaper might allow a group of homosexuals any column inches to defend themselves or talk openly about their lives, loves and feelings. But when readers opened their Sunday Pictorial on June 26, 1960, that's exactly what they saw. Presenting them as 'The Men In The Wolfenden Report' - a government-commissioned report published in 1957, which recommended the decriminalisation of homosexual acts - the newspaper said it had brought together 'four self-confessed homosexuals' in a Harley Street consulting room. 'One man in every 25 in Britain today is a homosexual. A shocking figure?', the story began. 'These men live in towns and villages all over the country. The problem of homosexuality is not confined to the big cities.' It went on: 'What are homosexuals like? Can they be cured? Would a change in the law free them to increase in number? Are they a basic danger to society?' The newspaper chose not to use the men's real names or show their faces, even though three of them had already taken the brave step of coming out publicly, by writing a signed letter to several newspapers two weeks earlier. Instead, in a sign the newspaper didn't think the British public were ready for full disclosure, they were assigned different names, ages and professions. One was estate agent Roger Butler, a forgotten pioneer of the gay rights movement, who is believed to be the first man to come out voluntarily to the entire British public. In what reporter John Knight described as 'a meeting of brutal frankness, often charged with bitter emotion', the men talked calmly about their lives, offering succinct and compelling defences to questions such as whether their 'disease' could be cured and if there was a link between homosexuality and paedophilia. ''The normal homosexual is revolted by men who run after little boys, just as a normal man, presumably, is revolted by men who chase little girls,' explained Roger, named in the story as Steven G, 27, 'a technical clerk and homosexual'. He added: 'Usually, homosexuals are attracted to men of their own age, although an older man may be in love with a younger man. 'Offences against young boys, however, are in a completely different category. The offenders should be sternly punished. They don't represent homosexuals. They are a sick minority.' When another of the men, described as an eminent surgeon, was asked if he wanted to be 'cured' he replied: 'This is an illogical question to people like myself. How can you want to be cured of something you know is incurable?' Another, called Leslie S, added: 'I don't want to be cured now. I tried desperately for years to become normal. I was married for five years, but it was unfair to my wife because I had no normal desires.' And when the question 'How can you tell if a man is homosexual?' was put to them, the surgeon pointed out just how many people in Britain were gay but unable to live freely. 'If all homosexuals were recognisable, then the streets would be crowded with mincing queers,' he said. 'There are 1,000,000 of us, remember.' The groundbreaking article - and the role of the paper that became The Sunday Mirror in changing Britain's gay rights laws - was unearthed by authors Christopher Stephens and Louise Radnosfsky as they researched their new book The Light of Day, a biography about Roger Butler. Christopher says the newspaper's stance was way ahead of its time. He says: 'Up until then the 'homosexual problem' was talked about as a 'social infection.' The whole of the debate around gay rights was couched in this idea of a disease which was undermining the social fabric of Britain, and infecting our institutions. 'Even those people who were fighting for reforms to the law didn't like homosexuals very much. They pitied them more than anything and saw them as a pathetic group who were never going to live a normal life, so let's just leave them alone because they're not doing that much harm.' Louise adds: 'It really was revolutionary for the Pictorial, at that time, to give four gay men a chance to speak for themselves, and to speak honestly. 'It was surprising, even shocking to me, a newspaper giving this opportunity to gay men. I'm not sure I would have believed it could have until I landed on it. 'And it was risky for the men too. There was no certainty about how the men would be presented, and it could easily have been a set up, especially given how newspapers normally covered the topic. It turned out to be the first time gay men were allowed a voice in a national newspaper.' The Pictorial was one of Britain's biggest newspapers selling over a million copies a week and the story changed the way the public saw gay men and propelled the gay rights movement forward. Just three days later, the British parliament voted on the recommendations of the Wolfenden report, that homosexuality for people over 21 should be decriminalised. It didn't pass, with 99 Ayes to 213 Noes, but among those in favour were some MPs no-one had expected, including Enoch Powell and a certain Margaret Thatcher. Louise says: 'It was defeated in the Commons, even though the government's own committee had recommended the changes, because there was still no political appetite to change the law. People just weren't brave enough. 'The Home Secretary at the time, Rab Butler, was known to be sympathetic, but even he didn't want to put his face to the campaign, because he was worried about how it might look politically, and whether people would vote for him if he did. 'Again it shows the climate against homosexuality at the time, and bravery of a publication like this one to allow gay men to speak up.' It took seven more years before, in 1976, the 1967 Sexual Offences Act finally decriminalised homosexual acts between consenting adults. The Act, which passed after a lengthy debate, received Royal Assent on July 21, 1967, marking a significant step in the history of LGBT+ rights. Christopher, who knew Roger Butler before his death in 2011, says the bravery of the gay rights pioneer - should never be forgotten. He says: 'He was a very humble man, a quiet, shy revolutionary who didn't like taking much credit, and whose contribution to gay rights has now largely been forgotten. 'He was the ever Brit to come out in public - and even while homosexuality was still a crime. And because of that Pictorial article, was in 1960 one of the four most famous homosexuals in the country. 'He established coming out as a political act, and we saw that become a fundamentally important part of gay rights campaigning in the 1970s. 'But he started to lose his sight in 1960 and had lost it completely by 1966, so by the time the law had actually changed he had had to withdraw from that world, learning to instead live as a blind man in 1960s Britain. 'But he was such an important part of the gay law reform movement and left a massive legacy which should be remembered and celebrated today.' The Light of Day: The first man to come out at the dawn of gay liberation, by Christopher Stephens and Louise Radnofsky, Headline Press
Business Wire
02-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Balanced Rock Power Accelerates a Sustainable Future with Landmark Project Wins
MOAB, Utah--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Balanced Rock Power (BRP), a leader in solar and energy storage development dedicated to delivering clean energy across America, is proud to announce significant progress and momentum in its renewable energy projects. A key highlight is BRP's development and sale of the Two Brothers Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project, marking the sale of BRP's third BESS project sited in Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). Alongside the success of the 150MW Two Brothers project, BRP has continued to demonstrate project development excellence with the additional sales of 2,625 MW of Solar and BESS projects located in Arizona, California and Texas in 2024 and 2025. 'Our recent project sale closings underscore our proven expertise in large-scale solar and energy storage solutions, positioning us at the forefront of the transition to clean, reliable and affordable energy,' said John Knight, CEO of Balanced Rock Power. 'With a dedicated team and innovative strategies, we're committed to expanding our portfolio and accelerating the shift toward a more sustainable and resilient energy landscape.' BRP's ERCOT investment thesis focuses on targeted load pockets within Houston and South zones, known for persistent congestion and volatility, alongside rising load demands. Beginning in Q1 2022, BRP's dedicated development teams systematically screened hundreds of substations throughout South Texas to identify high-potential nodes and land parcels, setting the foundation for successful project siting. Situated along the Texas Gulf Coast — an area characterized by chronic transmission challenges — Two Brothers was strategically located in a region where traditional fixes fall short in alleviating congestion, thereby safeguarding long-term revenue streams. Despite an interconnection queue saturated with ERCOT BESS projects, Two Brothers garnered investor interest due to its thoughtful siting, long-term economic advantages, and a clear path to project completion — supported by an executed interconnection agreement and long-lead equipment procurement. The project achieved critical milestones, including procurement of HV breakers and GSUs, ensuring it can meet the COD outlined under its signed SGIA. Sold to a private equity-backed storage IPP in Q2 2025, the project underscores BRP's ability to efficiently develop and execute large-scale energy storage solutions. Balanced Rock Power remains committed to expanding its portfolio of clean energy assets, leveraging its development expertise, strategic siting, and innovative transaction strategies to drive sustainable growth and energy transition. To learn more about Balanced Rock Power, visit Balanced Rock Power is committed to driving the business of clean energy and accelerating a sustainable future. BRP's development activities prioritize large utility-scale solar and battery energy storage assets through greenfield development and accretive acquisitions. Founded by a seasoned team with over 50 years of experience in renewable energy development, BRP develops, invests in, and sells clean energy projects throughout North America.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Balanced Rock Power Accelerates a Sustainable Future with Landmark Project Wins
Leading renewable energy developer secures five major deals, exemplifying expertise in large-scale energy storage solutions and building a sustainable future MOAB, Utah, June 02, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Balanced Rock Power (BRP), a leader in solar and energy storage development dedicated to delivering clean energy across America, is proud to announce significant progress and momentum in its renewable energy projects. A key highlight is BRP's development and sale of the Two Brothers Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project, marking the sale of BRP's third BESS project sited in Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). Alongside the success of the 150MW Two Brothers project, BRP has continued to demonstrate project development excellence with the additional sales of 2,625 MW of Solar and BESS projects located in Arizona, California and Texas in 2024 and 2025. "Our recent project sale closings underscore our proven expertise in large-scale solar and energy storage solutions, positioning us at the forefront of the transition to clean, reliable and affordable energy," said John Knight, CEO of Balanced Rock Power. "With a dedicated team and innovative strategies, we're committed to expanding our portfolio and accelerating the shift toward a more sustainable and resilient energy landscape." BRP's ERCOT investment thesis focuses on targeted load pockets within Houston and South zones, known for persistent congestion and volatility, alongside rising load demands. Beginning in Q1 2022, BRP's dedicated development teams systematically screened hundreds of substations throughout South Texas to identify high-potential nodes and land parcels, setting the foundation for successful project siting. Situated along the Texas Gulf Coast — an area characterized by chronic transmission challenges — Two Brothers was strategically located in a region where traditional fixes fall short in alleviating congestion, thereby safeguarding long-term revenue streams. Despite an interconnection queue saturated with ERCOT BESS projects, Two Brothers garnered investor interest due to its thoughtful siting, long-term economic advantages, and a clear path to project completion — supported by an executed interconnection agreement and long-lead equipment procurement. The project achieved critical milestones, including procurement of HV breakers and GSUs, ensuring it can meet the COD outlined under its signed SGIA. Sold to a private equity-backed storage IPP in Q2 2025, the project underscores BRP's ability to efficiently develop and execute large-scale energy storage solutions. Balanced Rock Power remains committed to expanding its portfolio of clean energy assets, leveraging its development expertise, strategic siting, and innovative transaction strategies to drive sustainable growth and energy transition. To learn more about Balanced Rock Power, visit About Balanced Rock Power Balanced Rock Power is committed to driving the business of clean energy and accelerating a sustainable future. BRP's development activities prioritize large utility-scale solar and battery energy storage assets through greenfield development and accretive acquisitions. Founded by a seasoned team with over 50 years of experience in renewable energy development, BRP develops, invests in, and sells clean energy projects throughout North America. View source version on Contacts info@
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Extra government funding would 'protect hospice'
Increased government funding for Isle of Man's only hospice would help to "protect the service for the future", the chief executive has said. A sum of £1.75m from Manx Care's budget was provided to the organisation in 2025, a figure below the £2.4m it had requested to maintain core clinical services. Hospice Isle of Man chief executive John Knight said the uplift would have made it "feel very sustainable" as a way to offset increasing financial pressures and a fall in legacy donations. In April, Tynwald agreed that the funding awarded to third sector organisations, including the hospice, should be looked at as part of an ongoing healthcare reform review. Mr Knight said it was also "incumbent" on the charity to manage the current challenges "in different ways", such as the introduction of a private pain management clinic. Profits from the commercially-run Crowther Clinic, set to offer joint and headache pain relief services for private patients from 12 June, would be reinvested in the hospice's general services, including end of life care. In March, the organisation issued an open letter raising concerns that "increasing financial pressures" were "threatening the long term sustainability" of the service. It called for a review of the existing funding model and "early action to prevent any unnecessary reduction in specialist palliative and end of life care". That was someone that was reflected in the wider debate in the Manx parliament on the Manx Care mandate in April. Mr Knight said the organisation had made a deficit in five of the last six years, despite "false perceptions we are a wealthy charity", leaving it with reserves of about 12 months of funding. He said the staffing headcount had been reduced by 26 members to a team of 106 in recent years, which meant the charity was "now at the point where there is not much more by way savings in the support functions to be made". Mr Knight said he had also noticed a slow decline in legacy donations, which could be connected to the current economic climate, and a jump in costs "which are out our control" such as pay increases, and the cost of energy, medicines and other clinical supplies. The requested extra funding from government would have meant "we would be at that the tipping point into a very sustainable organisation" although it would still have to secure most of its funding via donations, he said. "We have to manage the pressures by fundraising in a different way, such as using skills we have internally to expand our portfolio and drive money back towards charitable activity," he said. That would protect the service for the future because population data suggested "demand is only set to grow", he added. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X. Forget-me-not scheme a 'tribute to loved ones' Manx hospice 'predominantly' back to full services Hospice Isle of Man
BBC News
18-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Extra government funding would 'protect Manx hospice', boss says
Increased government funding for Isle of Man's only hospice would help to "protect the service for the future", the chief executive has said.A sum of £1.75m from Manx Care's budget was provided to the organisation in 2025, a figure below the £2.4m it had requested to maintain core clinical Isle of Man chief executive John Knight said the uplift would have made it "feel very sustainable" as a way to offset increasing financial pressures and a fall in legacy April, Tynwald agreed that the funding awarded to third sector organisations, including the hospice, should be looked at as part of an ongoing healthcare reform review. Mr Knight said it was also "incumbent" on the charity to manage the current challenges "in different ways", such as the introduction of a private pain management from the commercially-run Crowther Clinic, set to offer joint and headache pain relief services for private patients from 12 June, would be reinvested in the hospice's general services, including end of life March, the organisation issued an open letter raising concerns that "increasing financial pressures" were "threatening the long term sustainability" of the called for a review of the existing funding model and "early action to prevent any unnecessary reduction in specialist palliative and end of life care".That was someone that was reflected in the wider debate in the Manx parliament on the Manx Care mandate in April. Mr Knight said the organisation had made a deficit in five of the last six years, despite "false perceptions we are a wealthy charity", leaving it with reserves of about 12 months of said the staffing headcount had been reduced by 26 members to a team of 106 in recent years, which meant the charity was "now at the point where there is not much more by way savings in the support functions to be made".Mr Knight said he had also noticed a slow decline in legacy donations, which could be connected to the current economic climate, and a jump in costs "which are out our control" such as pay increases, and the cost of energy, medicines and other clinical requested extra funding from government would have meant "we would be at that the tipping point into a very sustainable organisation" although it would still have to secure most of its funding via donations, he said."We have to manage the pressures by fundraising in a different way, such as using skills we have internally to expand our portfolio and drive money back towards charitable activity," he would protect the service for the future because population data suggested "demand is only set to grow", he added. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
