The man whose iconic Tynwald Day protest came to symbolise the fight to overturn the island’s anti-homosexuality laws said he was ’very emotional’ to witness the long-awaited apology

In 1991 Alan Shea appeared at the foot of Tynwald Hill dressed in the striped uniform of a concentration camp victim to highlight the plight of gay people in the Isle of Man.

Three years later, the law was repealed, but it has taken until January 2020 for the Manx Government to give a formal apology for the law - and Mr Shea was present to witness history being made.

He said afterwards: ’It was very emotional. It is time to heal.

’I have been fighting for this for a long time. Now I can get on with my life.’

He added: ’The Chief Minister’s speech was very emotional and very strong and I am very grateful that he has done it.’

Some families had lost loved ones, pushed to take their own lives by the old laws.

’You can heal a bit, but you cannot get over losing a child,’ he said.

Zoe Bennett, chief operating officer of Isle of Pride, was also present to witness the apology.

She said: ’It was quite an emotional speech by the chief minister and one that we are very grateful for.

’It has been a long time coming.’

The apology was a ’turning point’, she said, and showed the Isle of Man’s view of the LGBT+ community had progressed.

There was more to be done, she added and the mission of Isle of Pride was to consult and work with individuals, third sector and public sector to help right historic and ongoing wrongs - and to bring people together.