LAGIP: A History
Complied by Michael Lloyd
1970’s a number of lesbians, gay men and bisexuals, working within the Probation Service formed an informal support and campaigning group. This was to primarily combat homophobia and heterosexism within their work place and the Criminal Justice System.
1976 Prior to this LGB members along with the support of some straight colleagues persuaded their union Napo National Association of Probation Officers to join the campaign for homosexual rights. This included affiliating to CHE The Campaign for Homosexual Equality
1980s the National Association of Probation Officers Union joined several LGB campaigns. This included seconding the motion at TUC Congress to support our equal rights. This in turn led to the setting up of the Lesbian and Gay TUC Conference in 1998. By 2001 this Conference included bisexuals and trans people.
1982 LAGIP was formed.
1983 National Association of Probation Officers union formally recognised LAGIP and supported its aims.
1990 Napo supports LAGIP’s campaign to persuade employers to include sexual orientation in their Equal Opportunities Statements.
1995 Napo agrees to fund LAGIP’s annual Conference.
1999 the first openly transsexual person was employed by the Probation Service.
2002 LAGIP extends membership to include trans and bisexual people. Prior to this there were always bi sexual members but they did not feel properly welcome. This followed decisions made at a Conference in Norfolk two years before.
2002 the National Probation Service formally accepts LAGIP as the Staff Support Group for LGB&T employees. It commences funding for this group and to fund its annual conferences.
2003 LAGIP adopts a formal constitution which was ratified at an AGM in Manchester later that same year.
2004 Gender Recognition Act and Civil Partnership Act receive Royal Assent.
2005 LAGIP persuades the National Probation Service to stop including "homosexuality" in its risk of reoffending systems.
2005 LAGIP creates an Honorary membership for straights who have shown that they support our cause with actions as well as words.
2006 LAGIP launches its official website LAGIP.com
