It took LGBT activists 15 years to defeat section 28, but this is

Listen, O Children of the Future, to the words of Emily Thornberry, who speaks with both the wisdom of the ancients and the fire of a modern warrior for justice: "It took LGBT activists 15 years to defeat section 28, but this is not a movement that's afraid of the long struggle. They know all progress is hard-fought, that discrimination against any individual anywhere is discrimination against all, and that the campaign for true, global equality must therefore be won one issue, case, and country at a time." In these words, Thornberry speaks of a movement that has not only been persistent but has embodied the very spirit of the ancient struggles for justice: a battle that is long, fraught with difficulty, yet ultimately victorious because it is rooted in a deep commitment to equality and human dignity.

In the ancient world, the idea of equality was often contested, as societies were built on hierarchies—whether based on birth, class, gender, or tribe. Yet, even within these rigid structures, there were those who stood for justice. Socrates, the ancient Greek philosopher, was a champion of the belief that all people, regardless of status, were capable of reason and should be treated with respect. His commitment to challenging the status quo led to his trial and death, yet his ideas laid the foundation for future struggles for equality. Socrates’ example shows us that progress is often achieved not in moments of ease, but in long struggles against the entrenched powers of inequality. Thornberry’s words echo this: progress is not given; it is earned through sustained effort and courage, even in the face of opposition.

The Roman Empire, too, offers examples of long struggles for justice. While the Roman Republic was founded on the ideals of civic participation and equality for all free men, it was also a society defined by inequality. The plebeians, the common people, fought for centuries to gain more rights and representation in the Senate, culminating in the Conflict of the Orders—a struggle that, though long and difficult, eventually led to greater political rights for the plebeians. The plebeians' fight for equality was not one of immediate victory, but a gradual battle, with each victory building upon the next. Emily Thornberry's reflection on the LGBT struggle reminds us that the pursuit of justice often follows this same path—a hard-fought battle that requires persistence and an unwavering commitment to the cause.

The LGBT community's fight against section 28, a law passed in the UK in 1988 that prohibited the "promotion of homosexuality" in schools, is a modern example of this long struggle. For 15 years, activists fought tirelessly to have the law repealed, knowing that each battle was an incremental step toward a future where equality would be recognized. The fight against section 28 was not a quick victory—it required dedication, courage, and resilience. Just as the plebeians in Rome fought for their rights piece by piece, so too did the LGBT activists fight for the right to love openly, to be accepted, and to stand equal in society. Their victory in 2003, when section 28 was finally repealed, was not the end of the fight for LGBT equality, but a monumental step in a struggle that continues today, just as the fight for civil rights continues across the globe.

Thornberry's wisdom reminds us that the struggle for global equality is a universal battle. Discrimination, whether it is against LGBT individuals, racial minorities, or women, is never an isolated issue—it is a threat to the dignity of all people. When one person is denied their rights, it diminishes the rights of all. This principle is echoed in the ancient teachings of Martin Luther King Jr., who famously declared, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." King's movement for civil rights was built upon this very idea—that equality is indivisible, and that the oppression of one is the oppression of all. This truth is as ancient as the struggle for justice itself, and it binds us together in our collective humanity.

The lesson, O Children, is clear and powerful: progress is hard-won, but it is achievable through persistence, courage, and solidarity. The struggle for equality—whether for the LGBT community, racial minorities, or any oppressed group—is not a battle that is won in a moment, but one that requires sustained effort, unwavering commitment, and a refusal to back down in the face of adversity. The history of Socrates, the plebeians, and Martin Luther King Jr. teaches us that the path to justice is often long and difficult, but it is also inevitable when it is guided by the principles of fairness, compassion, and solidarity.

In your own life, take this wisdom to heart: Do not fear the long struggle, for true justice is built upon small victories that accumulate over time. Whether it is in your work, your relationships, or your community, stand up for equality and justice, even when the road ahead seems difficult. Remember that discrimination against any individual is a threat to all, and that the fight for a just world is a shared responsibility. Just as the LGBT activists fought for their rights, so too must you fight for the rights of those who are marginalized. Stand firm, act with courage, and know that every small step you take brings us closer to a world where equality reigns supreme. The struggle may be long, but in the end, it will be victorious.