GAY men in Oxford are being asked for their stories about what life was like before 1967.

That is the year the Government passed the Sexual Offences Act, which decriminalised homosexual acts in private between two men aged 21 and above in England and Wales.

Almost 50 years later – the bill was passed on July 27 – city councillor Tom Hayes wants them to share memories of ‘the times they fell in love’.

He said: “There’s a real dearth of history about this period, so I’d like to address that by collecting people’s stories. For some men, it would have been a very emotionally-charged time because they would have had to completely close down who they were.

“If they were caught, they would face emotional separation from their families and they could lose their jobs – lives were utterly ruined.

“So these men had to resort to quite clandestine arrangements to meet and there was a general sense of being ashamed of who you were, fearing that if you were discovered you could be unfairly prosecuted.

“I’d like to put some faces on what was quite a complex time.”

He added: “Even though a lot of change has taken place since the 1960s, it’s important to realise that the job is not finished and there is still change that needs to happen.

“There are still people who feel they cannot be themselves and if they can identify with these stories then that could be helpful. Ultimately, people are at the heart of any change.”

Mr Hayes said people could submit stories anonymously if they wished. It is hoped what is collected could go on display later this year as part of an exhibition to mark the passing of the act.

Talks are under way about holding this in either Oxford Town Hall or Modern Art Oxford but no decision has been taken yet, he added.

The project has been supported by both of Oxford's MPs, Andrew Smith and Nicola Blackwood.

To find out more, visit: tinyurl.com/50xford