It's not been long since the UK Election, and in an effort to prove how much she's changed, the Minster for Women and Equalities launched an exciting and so called "ambitious" programme to fight prejudice against lesbian, gay and bisexual people This plan covers all aspects of life, including education, sport, the workplace, the criminal justice system along with some international rights.
Included in this special plan for equality is the commitment to remove historical convictions for consensual gay sex from criminal records, something started by the previous government. There is also to be new work to end homophobic bullying in schools, building on the excellent work of equality group Stonewall. Also mentioned in the plan is work to allow same sex couples to register their relationships in a religious setting, again this was already set in place by the preceding government with the ground breaking vote in House Of Lords.
May also detailed in the plan that the coalition government would be lobbying other countries to repeal homophobic legislation and recognise UK civil partnerships. The plan also aims to end the removal of asylum seekers who've had to leave particular countries because their sexual orientation or gender identification puts them at proven risk of imprisonment, torture or execution.
May, said at the launch “I’m proud of the fact that Britain is a world leader for LGB and T equality but we must not be complacent. In this country and around the world, too many LGB and T people still face discrimination based on outdated prejudices, and that has to stop.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 30 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.
May, who is only the second ever woman to hold the post of Home Secretary also added “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.”
They advised that a more detailed plan of action will be released later on this year, and whilst some members of the UK gay media and community are excited and delighted by the new plan, some remain a little skeptical of the present governments real intentions. "Despite the hype and the publicity, there is actually nothing new in this plan, pretty much everything mentioned was either already happening, or already planned. All that May is doing is making a public statement to prove that she's not as bad as her prior voting record would appear to show and that the government is actually doing something" Said Jason, a UK gay rights activist.
Stonewall Chief Executive Ben Summerskill said: "Stonewall welcomes this agenda which reflects discussions we had with all the main political parties ahead of the election. 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. Stonewall will work with the Government as well as MPs from all parties to tackle some of these entrenched areas of prejudice. We’ve already had constructive discussions with new ministers."
Jason Shaw
UK CorrespondentGayAgenda.com
© 2010 Copyright Jason Shaw
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