The UK’s capital will come alive with London Pride tomorrow, but there is going to be a noticeable absence - London Mayor Boris Johnson. He wont be going.
Greater London Authority’s press office confirmed that Johnson is not making an appearance in this year’s Pride parade or at any of the other pride or gay rights related events. There is also a bit of a bitch fest going on between the spokesmen for Johnson and ex mayor Ken Livingstone.
Johnson’s spokesman told the UK’s PinkPaper "Boris supports a busy programme of events and festivals throughout the year and is not able to attend each of them every year. He has attended two of the last three Prides - despite it clashing both times with the birthday of very close family member”
The spokesman also went on, “The Mayor also provides funding for Pride every year, in addition to having funded initiatives such as Stonewall's anti-homophobic bullying DVD for secondary schools in London." However, that funding has been cut, pride related events are now NOT allowed on authority property.
Of course, it’s a coincidence that this is the first time the Conservatives have been in government in Johnsons run as mayor. Or than Tory central office have not given permission for senior members of the party to attend any pride events this year.
However Boris has sent a message to Pride -
“It’s a festival that also underlines our city’s reputation as a place where you can be yourself, something we can be proud of. Pop stars, sports stars, academics, politicians – people at all levels and in all walks of life – including my own team – feel comfortable and confident to be out and to be themselves.
“I want London to be the benchmark for LGBT equality, which is why we must not be complacent, especially when it comes to homophobic hate crime and bullying. My office will continue to work with LGBT groups as well as the police to tackle a problem that still affects too many lives.
“Pride has an important role to play in this, with individuals able to come together for an important community celebration, as well as a great day out for all in the heart of the capital. So have fun this Saturday and celebrate all that London has to offer. Happy Pride!”
GAY TORY GROUP WANTS FORMER MAYOR BANNED…….
The LGBTory group, LGBT group has sparked a mild political storm today as they have called for Ken Livingstone, the labour former mayor of London to be banned from London Pride.
They claim he should not be able to attend unless he repudiates his friendships with people infamous for their extreme views against gay men and women, including banned Muslim cleric Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi. The move comes after Livingstone publicly criticised Boris Johnson for falling short on gay equality issues.
Now, the Chairman of LGBTory, Matthew Sephton, says that the Labour Mayoral candidate is using the high-profile event as a political tactic. He told PinkPaper.com: “Mr Livingstone’s record on LGBT equality is shameful, proved time and time again by his close friendships with barbaric, anti-gay regimes and repugnant characters who believe homosexuality is not only a crime but that gay people should be killed.
"He should not be allowed to hi-jack and exploit this weekend’s parade and risk undermining core values of such Pride events unless he ditches his links with such regimes and unsavoury characters.”
The ‘close friendship’ he’s referring to is actually the fact that al-Qaradawi was once a key note speaker at a meeting nearly 8 years ago!
In response, a spokesman for Mr Livingstone said:
“It sounds like the nasty party is back – the Tories are worried that Boris Johnson has failed to deliver on LGBT issues, will not be turning up to the last Pride before the mayoral election, axed the annual Pride reception and took London government out of the Stonewall Equality Index.
‘Ken’s clear plan to put the pride back into London shows he is more in touch with Londoners who want to put London back on track whereas Conservative Boris Johnson has delivered nothing and failed to stand up for LGBT London in the face of Tory-led government cuts.”
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