‘I will not stop shouting' about LGBT rights, says MP in ‘gayest Parliament'
An MP has warned that politicians in the UK, Europe and the US are trying to 'tear down' protections for LGBT+ people, as she spoke to celebrate 'the gayest Parliament in the world'.
Kate Osborne described receiving 'horrific' abuse when she tried to arrange a pride event in her Jarrow and Gateshead East constituency near Newcastle, but promised the LGBT+ community 'will not be pushed back in the closet'.
The MP, who said she came out as a lesbian 40 years ago, told the Commons on Thursday: 'It's an honour to be speaking in the main chamber in this Parliament, as Mr Speaker (Sir Lindsay Hoyle) told us the other night at his reception, the gayest Parliament in the world.
' LGBT History Month has never been more needed than it is right now, with politicians of all political stripes here in the UK, in Europe and of course, in America, trying to tear down the few protections LGBTQ+ have, attack our rights, and rewrite history.
'Our history and our activism needs to be shouted about. We will not be silenced.
'We will not be erased. We will not be pushed back in the closet and our history will be celebrated and remembered.
'We need people to continue to be brave enough to shout 'I am here'.
'I'm a lesbian, and I'm saying that in the 'mother of all Parliaments', and I will not stop shouting about it.
'Diversity is what makes us wonderful, it gives us strength.
''Dyke' is no longer an insult but a badge that I wear with pride, just like my 'she/her' pronoun badge.'
According to an independent website set up to record the number of LGBT+ MPs, at least 75 MPs identify as LGBT+.
The lgbt.mp website listed 66 MPs in the last parliament, before last year's general election.
We must celebrate our history and remind people that we have always been here, that trans people have always existed,
Kate Osborne
'We must celebrate our history and remind people that we have always been here, that trans people have always existed,' Ms Osborne said, speaking to mark LGBT+ History Month.
'But we also have to remember the lessons of our activism – remember and listen to those who lived those fights and learn from them in order to defend our community from this latest wave of attacks.'
She said she faced a 'barrage of abuse' while helping to set up a pride event in Hebburn led by local campaigners.
Ms Osborne warned flags were 'ripped down' and a newspaper removed an article about the event as a result of abusive comments.
She also said she and campaigners 'received some horrific homophobic and lesbophobic abuse online and in real life'.
The MP added 'note of caution around our Government's own policy and rhetoric on puberty blockers', saying: 'I believe this decision is putting people's health at risk.'
The Government introduced an indefinite ban on puberty blockers last year for children experiencing gender dysphoria after a review led by Baroness Cass found the quality of studies around their use was 'poor', with plans underway to set up a clinical trial.
Equalities minister Dame Nia Griffith had earlier said: 'For most people under the age of 40, it's almost inconceivable to imagine a society in which LGBT+ were not visible and integrated.
'Most, if not all of us, have LGBT+ family, friends and colleagues. In this very chamber, one in 10 members identify as LGBT+, a world record for any Parliament as far as we know.'
She later added: 'As history shows us, progress is not static.
'New challenges will always emerge, and hard-won rights must not only be cherished but guarded.
'That's why the Government is committed to upholding Britain's long-standing record of protecting the rights of individuals, and ensuring the Equality Act protects everyone.
'But there are others who would gladly reverse this, returning to a time where discrimination was permissible, even empowered under the law.
'We must be ever mindful of such intentions and remember from our history why we do not wish to revisit such times. Lawful discrimination, Section 28, vilification and rejection by wider society are history, and they must remain such.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
an hour ago
- The National
Nicola Sturgeon's memoir Frankly - here's what we know so far
The former first minister had to clear the contents of her book with Scottish Government officials before it's made public. Published by Pan MacMillan and titled Frankly, the book is likely to dominate headlines once it is available. So, here's what we know about it so far. READ MORE: Ruth Maguire reveals she's cancer free and 'excited to return to work' 'Deeply personal' Announced in August 2023, Sturgeon said the book would be 'deeply personal and revealing'. Pan MacMillan won a bidding war out of nine publishers at an auction after she resigned as first minister in February that year. The book will tell the story of Sturgeon's childhood in Ayrshire as well as her career in politics, where she was Scotland's first female first minister and the longest serving in Holyrood's history. She also worked with five different prime ministers during her time in office. Sturgeon said at the time the book was announced that writing a book was 'exciting, if also daunting'. (Image: Andrew Milligan) 'Restrictions' Under the Radcliffe Rules, former government ministers, civil servants and special advisers are free to publish memoirs of their time in office. But, this has to be signed off by the Permanent Secretary's Office who will review the manuscript to make sure it doesn't impact national security interests, intergovernmental relations, or anything confidential. According to documents recently published on the Scottish Government's website, released via FOI, Sturgeon's memoir passed checks with no changes. Officials were sent four hard copies of the book, with the documents revealing that 'at all times strong security arrangements have been observed' and that only a small number of staff had access to it. 'On the basis of advice from my review group, it is not considered that any changes are required to the manuscript in order to comply with the Radcliffe Rules or the Scottish Ministerial Code,' John-Paul Marks, the former permanent secretary wrote to Sturgeon on April 24. READ MORE: Labour Government 'must protect' UK-flagged Madleen aid ship 'Publication' The book is due to be published on August 14, with Sturgeon being paid a £300,000 advance for her work. This is being paid in installments to her company, and is made public through her MSP register of interest. Sturgeon is set to go on a launch tour for the book across Scotland, including an appearance at Edinburgh's Usher Hall and the Edinburgh International Book Festival. Ticket prices range from £33 to £73. Sturgeon also posted a video of herself signing a huge pile of pages that will be attached to the book for those who have pre-ordered. There have been some hints about what the book will contain. 'Full of the verve and wit that made Sturgeon one of the most high-profile politicians in the UK, this is a unique blend of personal insight and captivating vignettes,' a blurb for the book reads. 'Infused throughout with a love of Scotland and its people, it honestly discusses Sturgeon's mistakes, her battles, and her triumphs. Frankly is the compelling story of no ordinary politician.'
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Is YOUR pension safe? Concerns over new law letting companies take 'surpluses' from schemes relied on by nine million Brits
Concerns have been raised over plans to let firms take profits from pension funds used by around nine million Brits. Proposed changes to 'defined benefit' schemes would mean that 'surplus' cash can be extracted for profit or re-investment. The government argues the move will free up £11.2billion over the next decade that would be partly shared with members. It would also provide a £.28billion windfall for the Treasury, as the drawdown would be taxable. However, the impact assessment for the Pensions Bill acknowledged that the overhaul removes a 'cushion' and might make it more likely schemes will 'struggle'. DB pensions - such as final salary and career average arrangements - have diminished in the private sector since the 1980s. They have been replaced largely by 'defined contribution' schemes, where the individual and employer pays into a specific 'pot' to fund retirement. The Pensions Bill impact assessment said: 'If schemes choose to modify their rules to enable surplus extraction, this adds an indirect cost to members in terms of the increased likelihood of members not receiving their pension benefits in full. 'A scheme surplus can act as a financial cushion for members, to absorb unexpected costs or investment losses for the scheme. 'Without this cushion, the scheme may be more likely to struggle to meet its obligations to members, especially in times of financial stress or economic shocks.' The document stressed that schemes would be required to meet conditions to extract a surplus, in order to 'protect members'. As a result the risk of members not receiving benefits in full was seen as 'very low'. 'For employers with a weak covenant, accessing a surplus may improve the employer financial position but may risk the pension scheme becoming underfunded,' the assessment said. 'If sponsoring employers of underfunded schemes were to also become insolvent, these schemes may then transfer into the PPF, increasing its liabilities and may mean members potentially losing out. 'Overall, it is assumed this increased likelihood of members not receiving their benefits in full to be very low given the important role trustees will play in overseeing any decision.' The Pension Security Alliance (PSA), which includes campaigning group Silver Voices, told the Telegraph: 'It's shocking to learn that civil servants have told ministers that if these plans go ahead, some pension schemes could struggle to meet their obligations to pay pensions.' Steve Webb, partner at pension consultants LCP, said: 'There really is a lot of 'surplus' money locked up in these schemes, over and above what is needed to comfortably pay the pensions. 'If done responsibly, some of this money can be used to boost the pensions of people in these schemes (eg give them better inflation protection) and boost the position of British business (who have paid in the lion's share of the money). 'Note that companies cannot simply dip in to the fund - this all has to be agreed with the trustees who are there to look after the interests of members.'
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
London stocks pull back as investors turn cautious ahead of US-China talks
Russia's Defence Ministry said the swap was the result of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine earlier this month.
