Gays Liven Tone For Shareholders (Press, 6 July 1976)
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Summary: Gays Liven Tone For Shareholders (Press, 6 July 1976)
On 6 July 1976, a demonstration by Gay Liberation activists created an unusual atmosphere at the annual shareholders’ meeting of British Home Stores, Ltd (B.H.S.) in London. Traditionally a sombre event, the meeting was greeted by protestors holding banners with messages such as “B.H.S. is anti-Gay,” “British Homophobe Stores,” and “Gays demand the right to work.” This protest highlighted ongoing tensions surrounding LGBTQ+ rights, particularly in the workplace. At the meeting, Sir Mark Turner, the 70-year-old chairman of B.H.S., faced questions regarding the resignation of a trainee manager who had appeared in a television documentary about homosexuality. Sir Mark asserted that the young man had not been forced to resign but rather was offered a different job following the documentary's airing. The documentary included a scene where the trainee kissed his boyfriend on the cheek upon meeting him at the train station. This raised concerns among some shareholders and led to criticism from the Campaign for Homosexual Equality, which claimed the trainee had been pressured into resigning. Despite the gravity of the issues being raised, some older female shareholders appeared supportive of the demonstrators, suggesting a disconnect between generations regarding the significance of the protest. Sir Mark defended the company's actions by stating that the matter brought to light was personal, and it had caused distress among some shareholders. He reiterated that it was in the young man's best interests to be offered alternative employment rather than continue in a role that had become contentious due to the public nature of the documentary.
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