Criminally Queer: The Bolton 7—The Podcast Shedding Light on a Dark Chapter in LGBTQ+ History
Over the past five years, podcasting has exploded, with the number of active podcasts skyrocketing from around 500,000 in 2019 to over 2 million in 2024. As content continues to diversify, podcasts have cemented themselves as a dominant force in both entertainment and education. But let’s be real—sometimes, finding the right one can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. But fear not! Here at Q+, we love curating the best LGBTQ+ podcasts so you don’t have to. And today, we’ve got one that you absolutely need to check out—especially if you’re into LGBTQ+ history. Criminally Queer: The Bolton 7 is a gripping new series that dives into one of the most shocking miscarriages of justice in British queer history.
Hosted by BBC Sounds Audio Lab’s Hugh Sheehan, Criminally Queer: The Bolton 7 revisits a little-known yet hugely significant case that played a pivotal role in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in the UK. In 1998, seven gay and bisexual men from Bolton, Greater Manchester, were convicted under outdated and discriminatory laws for engaging in consensual group sex that was recorded for personal use. It’s important to note that this sexual activity took place in a private space, and the tape only came to light during a police investigation.
The men were charged under Section 13 of the 1956 Sexual Offences Act, which criminalized sexual encounters between more than two men. To make matters worse, at the time, the age of consent for gay men was still 18, while it was 16 for their heterosexual counterparts. One of the Bolton 7 was just shy of 18, which legally invalidated his consent. Though none of the men received custodial sentences, the case ignited outrage and became a catalyst for change, thanks in part to a high-profile campaign led by the activist group OutRage! Over 400 letters flooded the court, demanding leniency, and public support poured in for the men who had been unjustly criminalized.
Despite the UK’s slow progress on LGBTQ+ rights at the time, the Bolton 7 case exposed the deep-rooted flaws in Britain’s legal system—flaws that specifically targeted queer men. The injustice they faced underscored the urgent need for reform. Their case ultimately reached the European Court of Human Rights, which ruled in their favor, awarding them compensation and recognizing that their prosecution had violated their right to privacy. This landmark decision helped drive major legal reforms, including the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000, which equalized the age of consent, and the Sexual Offences Act 2003, which decriminalized gross indecency laws used to target LGBTQ+ people.
Throughout its five episodes, Criminally Queer: The Bolton 7 unpacks this harrowing case in detail. Hugh Sheehan enlists an incredible lineup of experts, activists, and key figures connected to the case, including former Home Secretary Jack Straw, Booker Prize-winning author Douglas Stuart, activist Peter Tatchell, author Shon Faye, queer historian Justin Bengry, and lawyers who represented the Bolton 7. Their insights make this podcast an essential listen for anyone invested in LGBTQ+ rights, history, and justice.
In addition to producing and presenting the series, Sheehan also crafted the original music and sound design, creating an immersive and haunting atmosphere that enhances the storytelling. The result is a podcast that doesn’t just inform—it transports listeners directly into the heart of the case.
Raw, unfiltered, and deeply moving, Criminally Queer: The Bolton 7 is a powerful reminder of how the law has been used to police queer lives—and why we must remain vigilant. With LGBTQ+ rights still under debate worldwide, this story isn’t just history. It’s a call to action.
So do yourselves a favor—head over to your favorite podcast streaming platform and tune in. Learn about LGBTQ+ history, honor those who fought for our rights, and never forget how far we’ve come—or how far we still have to go.
You can listen here: BBC | Spotify | Apple Podcasts
Criminally Queer: The Bolton 7 is available on every podcast streaming platform and the BBC website. Follow us on X and Instagram for all queer stuff!
Featured Image: Image Courtesy of BBC Sounds
