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Gay News: Theresa May, the Home Secretary and Minister for Equality, has announced a programme of work to combat prejudice against LGBT people.
By: Nigel Robinson
May: "We must not be complacent"
May: "We must not be complacent"
New government programme to tackle anti-gay prejudice
The programme will cover all aspects of life, including education, sport, the workplace, the criminal justice system and international rights.
The plans will include:
A commitment to remove historical convictions for consensual gay sex from criminal records
New work to end homophobic bullying in schools
Work to allow same-sex couples to have their civil partnerships in churches
Lobbying other countries to repeal their own homophobic laws and to recognise UK civil partnerships
An end to the removal of asylum seekers who have had to leave their own countries because their sexual orientation has put them at risk of imprisonment, torture or execution
“I’m proud of the fact that Britain is a world leader for LGBT equality but we must not be complacent,” Theresa May said.
“In this country and around the world, too many LGBT people still face discrimination based on outdated prejudices, and that has to stop.
“As a government we have made clear our determination to take concerted action to tear down barriers to equal opportunities and to build a fairer society. “It’s not fair that a man can be branded a criminal because thirty years ago he had consensual sex with another man.
“It’s not fair that hate crimes against transgender people go unreported because too few people understand how to handle such cases.
“And it’s not fair that too many children still suffer at the hands of homophobic bullies because schools lack the support they need to tackle it.
“We’re working to make Britain a place where everyone is treated fairly and everyone has an equal chance in life, whatever their sexual orientation or gender identity. This ambitious programme of work is the first step on that journey.”
Ben Summerskill, Chief Executive of gay rights group Stonewall, welcomed the programme.
“This programme of work includes some of the most pressing areas where action is required in order to continue to secure equality for gay people in Britain,” he said.
“Stonewall will work with the Government as well as MPs from all parties to tackle some of these entrenched areas of prejudice.”
