The Queer Vote - who will get yours?
With a general election looming, we ask the policital parties, "Why should we vote for you?"
The General Election is looming, and for a great deal of LGBT people, there is a temptation to say, "Why bother?"
However, it's vital that as a community, we use our vote wisely. Over the last few weeks, outnorthwest posed the simple question "Why should the LGBT community vote for you?" to all of the major political parties. As you can imagine, the responses have been very interesting. So here, in the order that we received them, are the responses we got. Judge for yourself. Just make sure your voice is heard and you cast a vote at the General Election.
British National Party
Dr Phill Edwards, BNP National Press officer was very quick off the mark with this response:
"Prior to 1967, homosexuality was a crime and led to prison. It is unnatural and an undesirable lifestyle which can only be remotely tolerated if the current law is obeyed i.e. consenting adults IN PRIVATE. The constant promotion of this queer lifestyle on TV, soaps, radio, newspapers, etc as something which it is not - equivalent to heterosexism (sic) - drains my tolerance and I find the entire topic revolting, disgusting and scary. Queers should remain celibate and don't talk about it. You should all be ashamed of yourselves."
United Kingdom Independance Party
Gerald Kelly of UKIP told us:
"We have no policy on LGB issues other than to say that we believe that an individual's lifestyle is a matter for personal choice and is no affair of anyone else, and particularly not politicians, as long as it is considerate and tolerant of fellow human beings and within the law."
Liberal Democrats
Richard J Porter of the Liberal Democrats was next to respond:
"Freedom, fairness and trust. These are the values of the Liberal Democrats. After eight years of Labour, so many people feel let down by a government that has failed to deliver in so many key areas for the LGBT community. Let us not forget it is still perfectly legal to discriminate against our community in the provision of services, and you can still be sacked from your job on the basis of your sexual orientation if you work for a faith based organisation. That is not a record to be proud of.
"And as for the Tories, let us not forget that it was Michael Howard who introduced Section 28 and for so many years denied basic human rights to the gay community. They couldn't be trusted then and they can't be trusted now. Only the Liberal Democrats will introduce an Equality Act that will make all forms of discrimination equally unacceptable before the law. We are the only party who have consistently and persistently campaigned for change since our formation in 1988. So when you go to the polls, think carefully about whether you want five more years of Tony Blair and his spin, or a Liberal Democrat government to push forward our radical plans for equality for all our citizens."
The Green Party
Nigel Tart is The Green Party national spokesperson on LGBT issues. When asked why the community should vote for the Greens, he said:
"The Greens are a party of action. Our Green MEPs are campaigning for EU-wide recognition of same sex partnerships; lobbying for the European Commission to outlaw religious exemption from employment protection; calling for protection against discrimination in goods and services; and calling for a Europe-wide survey of best practice in policing LGBT communities, with a view to developing a Charter for Gay-friendly policing.
"Our councillors are calling on Local Education Authorities to issue all education workers with clear guidance on their responsibilities to provide a safe, inclusive learning environment, to challenge all forms of prejudice and bullying, and to support LGBT staff and students in coming out. Darren Johnson was the first out gay 'leader' of a national political party. He instigated the London partnership register in his very first speech. Peter Tatchell (now a Green Party member) proposed the setting up of a Lesbian and Gay Museum in London. Following Darren Johnson's championing of this project, the other parties soon joined the bandwagon. In Brighton, Councillor Simon Williams has been at the forefront of the campaign against 'murder music'. Lord Tim Beaumont is a former chair of the Albany Trust, the first lobby group. A former Lib Dem, he joined the Greens in 1999. We are fielding several lesbian and gay candidates, including Lesley Hedges over in Colne Valley. If elected, they will campaign to extend anti-discrimination laws to cover goods and services; introduce compulsory sex education which includes all orientations; and grant full partnership rights."
The Conservative Party
Representing the Tories, Charles Hendry, Deputy Chairman and Shadow Minister for Young People told us why we should vote for them:
"The Conservative Party has welcomed the chance to make a significant contribution towards achieving equal rights for the LGBT community. We were especially delighted recently to help secure the successful passage of the Civil Partnerships Bill through the level of support offered by Conservative MPs. This is a crucially important piece of legislation, and indeed more members of our Shadow Cabinet backed the Bill than did members of the Government's own (much larger) cabinet.
"We have also taken a number of steps to help tackle some of the specific problems facing the LGBT community - in particular, the issue of homophobic bullying and abuse. Last year we hosted a summit to address the many concerns surrounding this issue, alongside subjects promoting sexual health and support for the voluntary LGBT sector.
"Our Shadow Minister for Young People, Charles Hendrey, has also lobbied the Government to step up its action against homophobic bullying in schools. Ultimately what we want to achieve is a situation where a person's sexuality is as irrelevant as their shoe-size when it comes to political decision-making. We will therefore continue our constructive dialogue with the LGBT community to help further the substantial progress we have been making."
The Labour Party
Finally, Jacqui Smith, Deputy Minister for Women and Equalities for the Labour Party, sent us this response to our question:
"This Labour government has at its core a commitment to lesbians and gay men that is strong and unequivocal. Since 1997, Britain has taken great strides to becoming a more tolerant and fairer society. We have equalised the age of consent in the face of vociferous opposition from the Tories and the House of Lords. We repealed the anti-gay Section 28, introduced personally by Michael Howard in 1988. Section 28 had effectively prevented teachers from addressing gay issues and tackling homophobic bullying in schools.
"Labour has lifted this oppressive atmosphere and is continuing to tackle homophobia in schools and education through programmes of action such as the new citizenship curriculum, teacher training and anti-bullying campaigns. Through the civil partnership scheme, coming into force in December 2005, Labour has - for the first time - given legal recognition to same-sex couples. Gay partners now have the same inheritance, pension and next of kin rights as married couples. We have also ensured that same-sex couples are able to apply to adopt a child jointly. We lifted the ban on gay people serving in the armed forces and have introduced protections for all lesbians and gay men from being sacked or bullied at work because of their sexuality by outlawing discrimination in the workplace on the grounds of sexual orientation.
"We have introduced a new law recognising homophobic hate crimes and, following the Soho pub bombing in 1999, which exposed the unfair rules for criminal injuries compensation, we promptly changed these rules so the partners of gay victims are entitled to compensation following the death of a partner. A third term Labour government will set up a powerful new Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR), which will tackle discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and promote equality for all. We have set up an Equalities Review to look at the long-term and underlying causes of disadvantage and prejudice in Britain. And we will review the current equalities legislation towards the creation of a Single Equality Act."
Taken from outnorthwest - www.outnorthwest.com
I wonder whether the UKIP left the T out of LGBT on purpose or not.
The General Election is looming, and for a great deal of LGBT people, there is a temptation to say, "Why bother?"
However, it's vital that as a community, we use our vote wisely. Over the last few weeks, outnorthwest posed the simple question "Why should the LGBT community vote for you?" to all of the major political parties. As you can imagine, the responses have been very interesting. So here, in the order that we received them, are the responses we got. Judge for yourself. Just make sure your voice is heard and you cast a vote at the General Election.
British National Party
Dr Phill Edwards, BNP National Press officer was very quick off the mark with this response:
"Prior to 1967, homosexuality was a crime and led to prison. It is unnatural and an undesirable lifestyle which can only be remotely tolerated if the current law is obeyed i.e. consenting adults IN PRIVATE. The constant promotion of this queer lifestyle on TV, soaps, radio, newspapers, etc as something which it is not - equivalent to heterosexism (sic) - drains my tolerance and I find the entire topic revolting, disgusting and scary. Queers should remain celibate and don't talk about it. You should all be ashamed of yourselves."
United Kingdom Independance Party
Gerald Kelly of UKIP told us:
"We have no policy on LGB issues other than to say that we believe that an individual's lifestyle is a matter for personal choice and is no affair of anyone else, and particularly not politicians, as long as it is considerate and tolerant of fellow human beings and within the law."
Liberal Democrats
Richard J Porter of the Liberal Democrats was next to respond:
"Freedom, fairness and trust. These are the values of the Liberal Democrats. After eight years of Labour, so many people feel let down by a government that has failed to deliver in so many key areas for the LGBT community. Let us not forget it is still perfectly legal to discriminate against our community in the provision of services, and you can still be sacked from your job on the basis of your sexual orientation if you work for a faith based organisation. That is not a record to be proud of.
"And as for the Tories, let us not forget that it was Michael Howard who introduced Section 28 and for so many years denied basic human rights to the gay community. They couldn't be trusted then and they can't be trusted now. Only the Liberal Democrats will introduce an Equality Act that will make all forms of discrimination equally unacceptable before the law. We are the only party who have consistently and persistently campaigned for change since our formation in 1988. So when you go to the polls, think carefully about whether you want five more years of Tony Blair and his spin, or a Liberal Democrat government to push forward our radical plans for equality for all our citizens."
The Green Party
Nigel Tart is The Green Party national spokesperson on LGBT issues. When asked why the community should vote for the Greens, he said:
"The Greens are a party of action. Our Green MEPs are campaigning for EU-wide recognition of same sex partnerships; lobbying for the European Commission to outlaw religious exemption from employment protection; calling for protection against discrimination in goods and services; and calling for a Europe-wide survey of best practice in policing LGBT communities, with a view to developing a Charter for Gay-friendly policing.
"Our councillors are calling on Local Education Authorities to issue all education workers with clear guidance on their responsibilities to provide a safe, inclusive learning environment, to challenge all forms of prejudice and bullying, and to support LGBT staff and students in coming out. Darren Johnson was the first out gay 'leader' of a national political party. He instigated the London partnership register in his very first speech. Peter Tatchell (now a Green Party member) proposed the setting up of a Lesbian and Gay Museum in London. Following Darren Johnson's championing of this project, the other parties soon joined the bandwagon. In Brighton, Councillor Simon Williams has been at the forefront of the campaign against 'murder music'. Lord Tim Beaumont is a former chair of the Albany Trust, the first lobby group. A former Lib Dem, he joined the Greens in 1999. We are fielding several lesbian and gay candidates, including Lesley Hedges over in Colne Valley. If elected, they will campaign to extend anti-discrimination laws to cover goods and services; introduce compulsory sex education which includes all orientations; and grant full partnership rights."
The Conservative Party
Representing the Tories, Charles Hendry, Deputy Chairman and Shadow Minister for Young People told us why we should vote for them:
"The Conservative Party has welcomed the chance to make a significant contribution towards achieving equal rights for the LGBT community. We were especially delighted recently to help secure the successful passage of the Civil Partnerships Bill through the level of support offered by Conservative MPs. This is a crucially important piece of legislation, and indeed more members of our Shadow Cabinet backed the Bill than did members of the Government's own (much larger) cabinet.
"We have also taken a number of steps to help tackle some of the specific problems facing the LGBT community - in particular, the issue of homophobic bullying and abuse. Last year we hosted a summit to address the many concerns surrounding this issue, alongside subjects promoting sexual health and support for the voluntary LGBT sector.
"Our Shadow Minister for Young People, Charles Hendrey, has also lobbied the Government to step up its action against homophobic bullying in schools. Ultimately what we want to achieve is a situation where a person's sexuality is as irrelevant as their shoe-size when it comes to political decision-making. We will therefore continue our constructive dialogue with the LGBT community to help further the substantial progress we have been making."
The Labour Party
Finally, Jacqui Smith, Deputy Minister for Women and Equalities for the Labour Party, sent us this response to our question:
"This Labour government has at its core a commitment to lesbians and gay men that is strong and unequivocal. Since 1997, Britain has taken great strides to becoming a more tolerant and fairer society. We have equalised the age of consent in the face of vociferous opposition from the Tories and the House of Lords. We repealed the anti-gay Section 28, introduced personally by Michael Howard in 1988. Section 28 had effectively prevented teachers from addressing gay issues and tackling homophobic bullying in schools.
"Labour has lifted this oppressive atmosphere and is continuing to tackle homophobia in schools and education through programmes of action such as the new citizenship curriculum, teacher training and anti-bullying campaigns. Through the civil partnership scheme, coming into force in December 2005, Labour has - for the first time - given legal recognition to same-sex couples. Gay partners now have the same inheritance, pension and next of kin rights as married couples. We have also ensured that same-sex couples are able to apply to adopt a child jointly. We lifted the ban on gay people serving in the armed forces and have introduced protections for all lesbians and gay men from being sacked or bullied at work because of their sexuality by outlawing discrimination in the workplace on the grounds of sexual orientation.
"We have introduced a new law recognising homophobic hate crimes and, following the Soho pub bombing in 1999, which exposed the unfair rules for criminal injuries compensation, we promptly changed these rules so the partners of gay victims are entitled to compensation following the death of a partner. A third term Labour government will set up a powerful new Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR), which will tackle discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and promote equality for all. We have set up an Equalities Review to look at the long-term and underlying causes of disadvantage and prejudice in Britain. And we will review the current equalities legislation towards the creation of a Single Equality Act."
Taken from outnorthwest - www.outnorthwest.com
I wonder whether the UKIP left the T out of LGBT on purpose or not.