4. A Victimless Crime

Criminally Queer: The Bolton 7 looks back at one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in recent British LGBTQ+ history, and examines how this scarcely-known legal case played a significant role in the fight for gay rights.

The men’s ordeal had tragic and abhorrent consequences. And they weren’t alone.

But in the wake of their legal battle the Bolton 7 were defiant and fervent in their desire to fight back.

Hugh Sheehan also hears directly from former Home Secretary Jack Straw and Liberal Democrat MP Evan Harris; politicians who were trying to change laws regarding sex between men at the time.

Criminally Queer is a Reduced Listening Production for BBC Sounds Audio Lab.

Producer and Presenter: Hugh Sheehan Original Music and Sound Design: Hugh Sheehan Executive Producer: Anishka Sharma Mix Engineer: Arlie Addlington Artwork: Tom Cunningham Commissioning Editor: Khaliq Meer

Archive material courtesy of Roger Bolton Productions.