When Boy George and Erasure's Andy Bell bravely kissed on stage in protest against anti-LGBT laws

7 February 2022, 16:36 | Updated: 8 February 2022, 17:32

It was a milestone in LGBTQ+ history, but it was also a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment. Two of the UK's biggest popstars - Andy Bell and Boy George - shared a kiss at the Brit Awards.

In 1989, Erasure's Andy Bell went on stage to pick up Erasure's award for Best British Group, with fellow popstar Boy George presenting the trophy.

• Brit Awards: Remembering Mick Fleetwood and Sam Fox's dreadful hosting gig in 1989
• Remembering when Jarvis Cocker crashed the Brit Awards stage and 'mooned' Michael Jackson
• Remembering Freddie Mercury's final public appearance at the 1990 Brit Awards

As he got to the stage, Andy and George shared a quick kiss, leading to cheers from the crowd.

Back in 1989, seeing two men kiss on live TV was sadly a big deal, and something that hadn't really happened before. Watch the moment below:

Erasure win British Group presented by Boy George | BRIT Awards 1989

Andy Bell later explained that the kiss was in protest against the controversial Section 28, also known as Clause 28. This was a series of laws across Britain that prohibited the "promotion of homosexuality" by local authorities.

Clause 28 was introduced by Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government, and was in effect from 1988 to 2000 (in Scotland) and 2003 (in England and Wales). This led to many organisations including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender student support groups to close altogether or limit their activities or self-censor.

Boy George also released the single 'No Clause 28' in protest against the law, and both singers spoke in-depth about it on TV, as can be seen in this clip below:

Boy George (of Culture Club) & Andy Bell (of Erasure) discuss Clause 28

It was only in 1989 that the UK first broadcast a gay kiss on TV. The soap EastEnders featured Colin Russell (Michael Cashman) and his other half Guido Smith (Nicholas Donovan) share a kiss.

George recalled the moment in 2021, in response to Madonna referencing her famous kiss with Britney Spears.