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BBC's First Homosexual Tour to Spark Conversion Therapy Debate

1/17/2026

50 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The BBC’s First Homosexual will tour England in February, presenting the experiences of gay men in the 1950s.
It is based on a shelved BBC radio programme about homosexuality that faced backlash and was edited before airing in 1957, as historian Marcus Collins found.
It will premiere at the New Adelphi Theatre in Salford on February 4 and aims to spark discussion on conversion therapy.

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Story summary

The BBC’s First Homosexual will tour England in February, presenting the experiences of gay men in the 1950s.
It is based on a shelved BBC radio programme about homosexuality that faced backlash and was edited before airing in 1957, as historian Marcus Collins found.
It will premiere at the New Adelphi Theatre in Salford on February 4 and aims to spark discussion on conversion therapy.