Former Labour Parliamentary Candidate Gives Opinion On Current Political Debate
September 24, 2009
Who will bring about the subtle changes needed to bring about gay equality? Not the Tory Party according to Bryce.
Bryce, a former Labour parliamentary candidate realises that much still needs to be done to bring about equality in many parts of the country where “homophobia is still rife” despite “growing up as a gay boy or girl in big multicultural cities like London” where it “is perhaps much easier than it once was.”
Bryce commented on Britain and what it has achieved in terms of gay rights since 1997 under Blair and New Labour, with its social equality agenda, which he initially saw as quite positive. Bryce, however “became disillusioned with the New Labour project and with Tony Blair in particular” yet “mindful of the great changes his government brought about for gay people”. It was however felt that the Blair led government followed public opinion with one of the few exceptions being that of the Blair lead equality agenda which in many ways swayed public opinion.
Bryce further said: “he fact that gays are no longer discriminated against in law has brought about a societal change which will eventually trickle down into our schools, our football terraces and our smaller towns and villages.”
Change brought about by Labour; with this fact being the point Labour want to get across to gay voters in the next general election. He said: “The fact that every piece of legislation which discriminates against gays was introduced by the Tories and every bit of positive legislation was introduced by Labour.”
Bryce stated that there were no obvious risks of voting for the Tories as it has accepted many of the changes brought about by Labour, with the status quo expected to remain. But what about the future of the progression of gay equality rights?
The next step according to Bryce is that of tackling the issues of not having homosexuality as a taboo subject in the school system and having teachers being given the skills, which they lack at the moment is addressing sexuality within the school system.
Then there are the third sector organisations such as adoption agencies, largely religious, which are left to fulfill roles not able by government. These agencies do not always provide equal services to the LGBT community, something likely to be overlooked by the Tory government.
Bryce finished of by quoting Pete Tatchell: "In 1930, Berlin was the gay capital of the World. There were gay bars and clubs, publications and organisations and the future looked bright. Three years later the Nazis came to power and all that changed. Thousands were carted off to concentration camps where they died. We should never take our rights and freedoms for granted and to quote the old adage, the price of freedom is eternal vigilance."
