Merrick

 I discovered Merrick online by chance while I was researching LGBT+ events in Croydon. I read about the story of Peter Wells, a member of Croydon Campaign for Homosexual Equality who brought a case to the European Courts of Human Rights challenging the British government's age discrimination against gay men.

The following is a transcription of a letter written to me by Merrick Badger, and a donated copy of his book and audiobook CD.  

“Hi Mark,

 Here’s a copy of The Story About Peter Wells, on CD and in paperback.

Peter’s a really important figure, not only in Croydon but nationally. Though he was one of thousands of gay men imprisoned for adult relationships under the gay age of consent [21 years old at the time], his European Court of Human Rights case was absolutely groundbreaking. It was the first case in Europe to succeed in getting a hearing about discriminatory LGBT laws.

His was the first of the kicks at the door that, after several goes finally broke it down. Paul Johnson of York University has written a superb book called Going To Strasbourg, detailing the various cases taken to the ECHR to challenge discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. It includes first-hand accounts from the people involved in a dozen cases challenging the British government. These include Bill Nash, Peter’s lawyer, talking about their case.

It would have been great to include that in my little book, but unfortunately our books came out at around the same time. It turns out we were living and working a mile apart in Leeds, both researching Peter’s story!

As with any research, publication brings forth people who would have been excellent contributors. I’ve found Terry, who lived with Peter & found his body, & who’s given me the last picture taken of Peter.

I’ve also had a clanger in the text pointed out. I’d always understood that decriminalisation in 1967 allowed sexual activity between two men in private but that ‘buggery’ remained illegal. Only after publication did I have a reader refer me to the text of the Act and see that (assuming they & I now understand it correctly), it was decriminalised, meaning that from 1967 to the Sexual Offences Act 2003, ‘buggery’ was legal for 2 men in private but criminal for everyone else! Having trawled so many new articles from the 70s & seen so many men charged with ‘buggery’ it’s perhaps understandable that my false impression was reinforced.

Anyway, that one glaring error aside, I’m proud of the book, which rescues the memory of such a key figure from obscurity. Nobody had told his story before, and even now Bill Nash has to refer to Peter publicly as ‘X’ because ECHR case was brought anonymously.

I hope the exhibition goes well. Please do let me know if there’s any content for it online. And if you want to use any of my material about Peter, just go ahead. If there’s anything else I might be able to help with, just ask.

Best regards,

Merrick“

You can read more about Peter Wells, or order Merrick's book for yourself at the following website: https://gladtobegay.net/peter-wells/