Campaign for Homosexual Equality

The Campaign for Homosexual Equality has its origins in the North-Western Committee of the Homosexual Law Reform Committee (NWHLRC), which was founded in Manchester by Alan Horsfall to support the campaign for the decriminalisation of homosexuality. The first meeting was held on 4 June 1964, but the formal launch took place with a semi-public meeting on 7 Oct of the same year. NWHLRC was renamed the Committee for Homosexual Equality in 1969, and became the Campaign for Homosexual Equality (CHE) in 1971. Throughout the 1970s, CHE was the main British homophile organisation, growing from 100 members in 1969 to 2, 800 members and 60 local groups by 1972. Its activities included canvassing for further law reforms, providing educational material for use in schools, and attempting to influence the provision of medical, psychiatric and social services.
The central body of the organisation was the Executive Committee, whose General Secretary maintained contact with local groups, individuals and other organisations. Local groups and members had input into CHE policy through the National Council, which met quarterly at different venues through the country, and was composed of CHE members elected by the whole membership. Annual conferences were also held. The CHE local groups were active throughout England and Wales, retaining a high level of autonomy and often producing regular newsletters giving details of social and campaigning activities. Following reorganisation in 1982, the short-lived Gay Community Organisation took control of these local groups. From 1969-1971, CHE produced a newsletter, which became the CHE Bulletin (1971-1974) and eventually the CHE Broadsheet (1975-1976). A newspaper known as Out was produced from 1976-1977. CHE set up a magazine working party in 1971, which produced the magazine Lunch from 1971-1974. It also created the counselling group Friend, which later became independent.