Ugandan anti-gay speaker chairs London human rights conference
Conservative MP Margot James has urged for the world’s politicians to promote gay rights at a Westminster conference that was chaired by Uganda’s anti-gay Speaker Rebecca Kadaga.
Speaking on Tuesday at the International Parliamentary Conference on Gender and Politics held in Westminster at Portcullis House, London, Stourbridge MP Margot James urged delegates from over 40 different nations to promote gay rights in their countries.
After speaking in the debate on the use of quotas to ensure greater parliamentary representation for women, Ms James challenged female legislators in the Commonwealth to confront homophobic persecution.
“We agree on the need for more women in our parliaments and governments, but we also need to reflect on why we need more women to be elected, a greater defence of freedoms and human rights is needed,” said Ms James.
“As a gay woman I would not be able to even stand for election in many of the countries represented here today, and the situation is even more dire for gay men in so much of the Commonwealth.
She added: “I urge the women legislators here today to stand up for the gay minority in your country and remember those who, like women are discriminated against, and bring that discrimination to an end.”
