OUR LATEST ISSUE
Gay news: 'I promise you that no one need walk the road to equality alone again'
Gordon Brown
Brown: The US can learn from us about gays in the military
Gordon Brown has praised the gay and lesbian members of Britain's armed forces and suggested that the US military could learn from Britain in its current debate about its 'don't ask, don't tell policy', which prohibits openly gay people from serving.
Speaking at a reception celebrating LGBT History Month at No 10, the prime minister addressed the uniformed lesbian and gay personnel who attended to represent the army, navy and air force.
He said: "You are the pride of our country and we thank you very much. We know this debate continues in America today. I would say to people who still favour 'don't ask, don't tell', look at our experience in Britain."
Guests, who also included Paul O'Grady, artist Maggi Hambling, actor Antony Cotton, broadcaster Amy Lame, author Jeanette Winterson and her partner Susie Orbach, and TV doctor Christian Jessen, heard Brown promise that his government would continue to fight for equality.
He listed the advances in equality made over the past ten years in the UK and said: "I will not give up on the fight for justice until justice is achieved. I promise you that no one need walk the road to equality alone again."
He singled out James Parkes, the Liverpool policeman seriously injured in a homophobic attack last year, who was present with his new civil partner, Tom.
"We all went into shock and mourning as a spate of homophobic and transphobic attacks happened and as James Parkes was hospitalised our thoughts were with him," Brown said.
Among the openly gay politicians attending were Chris Bryant MP, Ben Bradshaw MP, Lord (Chris) Smith and Michael Cashman MEP.
