One of the greatest mathematical minds of the 20th Century, Turing’s pioneering research has revolutionised modern computing. His work on breaking German encryption during the second world war was instrumental in securing an Allied victory and doubtless saved countless lives.

In 1952, Turing was found guilty of “gross indecency” for homosexuality, despite his enormous contributions to society. As a result, he was forced to choose between prison time and hormone treatment (chemical castration). It is thought that he took his own life at the age of 41 due to the mental toll caused by the hormone treatment.

It was only recently, in 2009, that the British government apologised for their horrific treatment of Alan Turing, and only in 2013 did the Queen officially give Turing a posthumous pardon.

Turing’s revolutionary work makes him an inspiration to many mathematicians and computer scientists worldwide. The Alan Turing merchandise aims to celebrate his memory and accomplishments whilst also being a sombre reminder of the importance of LGBTQ+ rights and the progress that still needs to happen.

For this reason, we are proud to use this merchandise release as a fundraising opportunity for OTR. OTR is a local charity for young people promoting good mental health and well-being and empowering young people to support themselves and their communities. Freedom is OTR’s gender and sexuality social action that offers workshops on housing, relationships, mental health, gender and sexuality. They also provide support, advice, social opportunities, and one-to-one LGBTQ+ Counselling.